steering rack leaking?

[mucka88]

Hiya, my e30 1.8 Hreg seems to be leaking fluid out of the gaitors, ive replaced gaitors as driver side had a hole in but now still leaks, looking on the net seems the rack seals am a common problem. Im not sure if to buy the seal kit and do my self or invest in a recon rack?

I think if I go for a recon id go for a manual save the problem reoccuring again oneday and have heard they're better for handling.

Has anyone had this problem and help with advice please. Thanks

[DHFiS]

When it happened to me I fitted a recon rack from Eurocarparts. If you want to improve handling fit a quicker rack from a Z3 or E36/46.

[mucka88]

Yes looked at prices of the z3 rack but a bit pricey for me at the moment, saw on ebay about £270

[redcar]

The e46 rack is quicker and has more lock when in an e30, compared to a z3 rack. I don't know why people say oh the z3 rack has 0.3 turns less than the e46 rack, it's not entirely true because it's lock is limited.
Bear in mind, the e46 racks are generally better condition and are 1/10th - 2/10th the price of that z3 one.

[mucka88]

Didnt think of the e46 rack. I got today just standard power rack so I can be on the road asap. Now the joys of trying to fit . thanks for the replies

[suchy]

Yes fluid leeking out of the boots = fooked rack. As already mentioned, may as well upgrade rack whilst your there. Cheapest option is to replace with another good standard rack, or alternatively upgrade to an E36 or E46(067??) rack but you will need new pipework (available from DanThe).

Check this thread;

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=212923

[mucka88]

Found a 46 manual rack so would it fit? Thanks

[mucka88]

Ohhh dont match up with 067

[xavier]

My one sprung a leak in the same spot last year, so I bought a recon rack with a years warranty. The recon one started leaking about one day after the warranty ran out. It might be time to look at other options

[mucka88]

Always the way with warranty, I have few bits todo with the car, so can look for a while and decide which rack to get.