Reconditioned Steering Racks - Good or Bad Idea?

Tue May 27, 2008 9:55 pm

I bought a reconditioned power assisted steering rack from ECP, but when I received the package, the rack and inner packaging were covered in an oil and there was a grommet loose in the packaging. Also one of the pipes on the side of the rack was kinked so I sent it back for another one.

Second rack arrived today, some no-name item instead of the Delco Remy item I orginally got. Guess what? One of the sealing grommets broken off, oily stuff all over the inside of the box, kinks in the pipes on the side of the rack, what appears to be a leak on one of the pipes where connected to the rack and the flexible pipe is damaged.

Now, call me fussy, but is it too much to expect a reconditioned rack to arrive in decent packaging and have items such as the external pipes replaced with new items instead on just given a shitty paint job.

I've now got a bill of stg£800 and nothing to show for it...

First rack was posted back today and this one will be posted back tomorrow, costing me money and time.

Is this the norm? Does anyone know of a supplier that can be relied on?

Tue May 27, 2008 10:08 pm

kevin316i wrote:I bought a reconditioned power assisted steering rack from ECP

Says it all really

The best way is to take a rack to a reconditioner yourself

Tue May 27, 2008 10:09 pm

Ignore that post

Best way is to buy a low milage E46 rack

Tue May 27, 2008 10:13 pm

So I'm wasting my money trying to get a reconditioned rack from ECP?

I didn't check the local dealer price as I thought I'd have to extend my mortgage, but might have no other option as I want an original E30 rack. Other option is a good used item, but then you're replacing an 18 year old rack with an item of a similar age.

Wed May 28, 2008 3:10 pm

The S/H rack I fitted to the touring cost £20.GSF(a proper supplier)list power E30 racks at £145. So I can buy 7 S/H items for the cost of one re-con...hum...

Wed May 28, 2008 4:20 pm

If you are anywhere near Leeds there is a guy that will recon yours for £90 but obviosuly you'll have to take it to him.

I was going to have him do mine as I have a LHD but I just got a LHD power rack from eBay for £65 delivered, so I'm hoping that one is going to be ok so my car is not off the road.

I think it could be these people actually but not sure: http://www.cvjoints.co.uk/home.cfm

Wed May 28, 2008 4:34 pm

DanThe wrote:Ignore that post

Best way is to buy a low milage E46 rack

how much hassle are they to fit?

Wed May 28, 2008 4:45 pm

If you are doing a swap, the E36 quick rack conversion appears to be a popular one, although I have not looked into it myself.

The best thing is that there is an article to guide you through it in the articles->Technical Menu->DRIVEABILITY CONVERSIONS->E36 rack conversion or this link might work http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... 36rack.htm

Wed May 28, 2008 7:12 pm

Gibson wrote:
DanThe wrote:Ignore that post

Best way is to buy a low milage E46 rack

how much hassle are they to fit?

Not hard at all, depends mostly on what exhaust manifolds you have as the pinion is approx 50 mm closer to the engine

Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:09 pm

Happy ending of sorts. Got my money back from ECP, but down the cost of postage. Got a S/H rack cheapish, but looks like it has a leak so plan to send to a guy in Dublin for reconditioning.