What exactly is a re-manufactured steering rack?

[miller1899]

The rack in my E36 Evo is on the way out. The prices of BMW racks make my eyes water but re-manufactured rack from ECP are about a third of the price. Is it a dumb to get an RMFD rack instead? Will I notice a massive difference? And are they reliable and safe? Not that I can't get a BMW rack at a later date....

[craigjm]

Its what we would have called reconditioned in the old days and basically means its a used rack that has had all of the internals replaced to bring it back to "as new" condition. As long as it is offered with a warranty of at least 12 months I wouldn't be concerned about using one.

[TEKNOPUG]

Perfect time to upgrade to an E46 Compact rack, I would have thought?

[Crackie]

TEKNOPUG said:

Perfect time to upgrade to an E46 Compact rack, I would have thought?

. for part number details see item 12 at bottom page of page 6 here. quicker E36 EVO rack

Edited by Crackie on Sunday 15th July 13:42

[mrmr96]

craigjm said:

Its what we would have called reconditioned in the old days and basically means its a used rack that has had all of the internals replaced to bring it back to "as new" condition. As long as it is offered with a warranty of at least 12 months I wouldn't be concerned about using one.

This ^

But it this way, when you buy a 2nd hand car, all the bits are "2nd hand" already. So fitting a re-manufactured/reconditioned part will be better than what's on the car at the moment, and you're presumably driving as you are.

So yeah, I'd have no problem with it.

[phelix]

Or send the rack to the likes of Kiley Clinton in Brum.

[miller1899]

Thanks very much for all your help. I think I am just going to go for the re-manu rack. I have thought about a quicker rack but guess that is going to cost a similar amount of money as a new E36 rack. This has put my mind at rest.

[Crackie]

miller1899 said:

Thanks very much for all your help. I think I am just going to go for the re-manu rack. I have thought about a quicker rack but guess that is going to cost a similar amount of money as a new E36 rack. This has put my mind at rest.

Hi Miller1899 ~ understand your your wish to stay with a re-manufactured rack . Just for future ref though, if you're able to source a good low mileage example, a quicker rack needn't be expensive. I replaced the original (vague,tired) rack in my 92000 mile EVO with a very low mileage S/H rack from a flood damaged mile 325i compact. The part cost only 80 quid from Quarry Motors and transformed the car.

Edited by Crackie on Tuesday 17th July 23:09