Power steering rack confusion

[Sparkysparks]

Hi, i was doin my weekly checks on my engine bay and noticed that a steering gaiter had cracked. My dad advised me to get a new one, It looked like this...



When i went to buy more, they only had one in stock at gsf carparts, that looked like this...



Needless to say this wasnt the same one, so i went to milehams and bought another set with the box showing the correct looking gaiter, like this...



When i got home, they both looked like this...



So i was confused, both shops had sold me the same gaiter for an E30 but neither were the same as mine, seeing as i dont really know what im doin, could someone please shed some light on the subject, do i have a different rack, are there different types of racks.
Any help would be appreciated.
If it helps my car is a H reg E30 318is.
Thanks guys.

Sparx

[dobbie82]

I cant see your pic very well, but for the 318is you should have something like this ( guessd a late 1990 one I think)



number 1 part no. 32111127104
and number 10 part no. 32111117426

to be sure, go to www.realoem.com and pop your vin number in, though perhaps the rack was changed by a previous owner?

[Brianmoooore]

Is your rack power assisted or manual?

[Sparkysparks]

Thanks for the diagram dobbie82, looks like its gonna help me.

Its Power assisted Brianmoooore.
And i think the cars 1990 so post facelift i think.

[stuartgallafant]

thats why i always buy everything from the dealers!

[E30Mark]

I can't see the first picture, too dark for my monitor...

But from memory the lower pictures of the gaiters look OK to me, the smaller 'tapered' end of the gaiter is part of the rack... follow me?

Go have a good look at your rack on the car, I'm sure you will find the new gaiters to be OK....