Re: bmw-digest V9 #181

[Kurt Zimmerman <kuzimmer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Date: Thu, 17 Sep 1998 13:29:24 PDT
> From: "Mike Moore" <mmoore84@domain.elided>
> Subject: <E30> How to Fix Steering Rack Fluid Leak
> 
> Hey all...
> 
> The dealer wants $900 to fix a power steering fluid leak coming from the 
> right side of the steering rack.  The proposed fix is a replacement of 
> the rack.
> 
> I want to believe that there is a way to replace the seals for a 
> reasonable cost.  
> 
> Does anyone have any experience replacing the seals in the rack or know 
> if this is feasible?
> 
> Any suggestions / experiences would be appreciated!
> 
> Thanks...
> 

Mike,

You should eventually replace the rack yourself.  You can purchase a rebuilt 
Mavel rack for a little over $300.00 (with returned core).    I think that you 
can purchase a rebuilt ZF rack for about $375.  The Mavel has a lifetime 
warranty, I don't know about the ZF

In the mean time, get yourself a can of seal swell for automatic transmissions 
(there are several manufacturers,  I use K&W Products seal swell) and see if 
that stops the leak for a while.   If it does stop the leak, this will buy you 
a few months.  And give you time to decide if you want to replace the  rack 
yourself, or pay a tech to do it.  $900 seems expensive, $600 would seem more 
in line, but I guess it depends on where you live.


- -Kurt

P.S. You can rebuild it yourself for much cheaper, but then you get no 
warranty.  

> Mike
> 

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