'00 323Ci steering rack

**JCC511** · 09-26-2018, 04:44 PM

Any recommendations for replacing as far as brand, etc.? Definitely looking for refurb/rebuilt.

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**RobertDenali** · 09-26-2018, 08:29 PM

BMW genuine... maybe others have had better experiences with non-genuine however everyone I've ever spoken to that went a different brand had issues.

**JCC511** · 09-26-2018, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by RobertDenali

BMW genuine... maybe others have had better experiences with non-genuine however everyone I've ever spoken to that went a different brand had issues.

I have heard similar. Genuine ZF remanufactured/rebuilt. I was also looking at LKQ, but they would be used. Also, not sure what would be missing as far as boots, etc.

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**nonturbodan** · 09-26-2018, 09:55 PM

Either spend a lot for a genuine replacement or get a good used rack and replace the boots. I have had good luck with used racks. A remanufactured rack with unknown quality components is more money for a lower grade part.

Same goes for engines and transmissions. I would much rather have a good used factory engine than one a person of unknown competence had taken apart, reassembled with machine work that was almost certainly worse than what BMW did at the factory and with parts almost certainly of lower quality than the originals. And they go for more money too.

**MarcoZandrini** · 09-27-2018, 09:32 AM

Try www.rackdoctor.net.

**JCC511** · 09-27-2018, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

Try www.rackdoctor.net.

Thank you! How do I know TRW or ZF?

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**JCC511** · 09-28-2018, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by JCC511

Thank you! How do I know TRW or ZF?

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Maybe I need to call rackdoctor.

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**JCC511** · 10-01-2018, 09:52 PM

No one? Meant to call them today.

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**MarcoZandrini** · 10-02-2018, 08:26 AM

ZF actually bought TRW. The original rack will have the ZF logo if it’s a ZF rack.

**JCC511** · 10-02-2018, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini

ZF actually bought TRW. The original rack will have the ZF logo if it’s a ZF rack.

I saw on E46fanatics something about the TRW is overboosted. Not sure if that is good or bad. Where would the logo be?

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**MarcoZandrini** · 10-03-2018, 10:02 AM

Overboosted racks were installed during model year 2001. My 2001 330Ci (7/2000 build) had this rack. It was made by ZF. Go to rack doctor and see what’s offered. You can install what was erroneously labeled the “ZHP” rack if you want. It’s a bit more expensive than the other racks.

**dhurley34** · 10-03-2018, 03:47 PM

I'm not sure why you're replacing the rack for a rotational scraping noise when the car is sitting still....

**JCC511** · 10-03-2018, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by dhurley34

I'm not sure why you're replacing the rack for a rotational scraping noise when the car is sitting still....

The noise I was originally hearing was the tensioner pulley, I believe. Serpentine belt popped today and apparently I lost my power steering pump pulley somewhere along the way. Steering rack symptoms I figured were difficulty steering and reduced steering radius. May have been the power steering pulley was loose. Will see once I am finished putting things back together.

Called rack doctor and they said ZF and TRW are interchangeable. Main way to tell the difference is ZF has the metal plate, which mine does.

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**JCC511** · 10-03-2018, 09:45 PM

I changed the belts and replaced the missing power steering pump pulley. Less noise and possibly steering is now good. Overheating and hoping it is nothing serious as I know it can be with the E46.

If it is the head gasket, do I need to do the full kit or just the gasket itself? $60ish vs $300+ on more involved kits. Not sure if this means the engine is just gone or if replacing the gasket is the fix. I realize it may not be an easy task.

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**dhurley34** · 10-04-2018, 09:16 AM

If it is a head gasket, you will need to have the head AND the block machined to be true again. At that point, you would be better off replacing the engine with a used one.

**JCC511** · 10-07-2018, 11:37 PM

Praying crisis is averted. Added some coolant and ran stable tonight. May add more tomorrow as it seemed like it could take more. It is possible I did not bleed the system well enough after the last flush which was recently.

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