Reconditioned steering rack

Twitche · Post by **Twitche** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:43 pm

Could anyone recommend a company that supply a reconditioned steering rack for my 2.5i. I have seen a couple advertised on the web such as Lion Automotive and Specialist Steering and wondering if anyone had used the racks they supply?

Umfaan · Post by **Umfaan** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:55 pm

From what car ?

Twitche · Post by **Twitche** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:58 pm

Z4 E85 2004

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:59 pm

You definitely need a rack? Not a column or EPS motor?

Twitche · Post by **Twitche** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:23 pm

This is a good question. The ring on the EPS has been adjusted and I don't think this is the problem. It does 'feel' more like a rack issue than 'sticky' steering, and there is an audible clunk which I suspect is from the rack.

My local BMW Indy has suggested changing the rack. However, I'm tempted to see if it is the preload spring that could do with being adjusted/changed/cleaned alongside re-greasing the rack. That's a bit beyond me but I would be happy to travel if there is anyone with experience of adjusting the pre-load. A reconditioned rack is probably a last resort, and from what I can tell apart from servicing the pre-load they do very little else?

Other than that the car passed its MOT today with no advisories so it is well worth trying to sort out this particular issue. Always open to other thoughts, but reading through the various related posts the rack seems to be the place to start.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:32 pm

Twitche wrote: ↑Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:23 pm This is a good question. The ring on the EPS has been adjusted and I don't think this is the problem. It does 'feel' more like a rack issue than 'sticky' steering, and there is an audible clunk which I suspect is from the rack.

My local BMW Indy has suggested changing the rack. However, I'm tempted to see if it is the preload spring that could do with being adjusted/changed/cleaned alongside re-greasing the rack. That's a bit beyond me but I would be happy to travel if there is anyone with experience of adjusting the pre-load. A reconditioned rack is probably a last resort, and from what I can tell apart from servicing the pre-load they do very little else?

Other than that the car passed its MOT today with no advisories so it is well worth trying to sort out this particular issue. Always open to other thoughts, but reading through the various related posts the rack seems to be the place to start.

Get your head in the engine bay and get someone to slightly rock the steering wheel. See if the noise is coming from the UJs on the intermediate shaft.
Turn the wheels fully to right lock, pop off the gaiter on the righthand end of the rack and grease up the teeth on the rack. Wind it full left and right a few times and get plenty of grease in there.
Neither of these is a guarantee, but it eliminates the simple stuff if you've not done it already.

Twitche · Post by **Twitche** » Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:35 pm

Good advice - thank-you. I will give that a go....

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com