Rockauto rack & pinion

[Veleno]

Does anyone have first hand experience with any of the rockauto rack and pinion parts? The new parts have a 2 year warranty while the remans have 3 years of warranty.
I need to change the one on my '95 as the leak has gotten worse even though it's not being driven.

AAE (new):
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1408&jsn=1408


BBB industries (reman):
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1409&jsn=1409


Cardone (reman):
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1410&jsn=1410

[Braymond141]

AAE has been fine when I used it (for three builds now). Use OEM Lemforder inner and outer tie rods though.

ZHP is a better rack but the price for the Z3 AAE is compelling.

[aeronaut]

Does anyone have first hand experience with any of the rockauto rack and pinion parts? The new parts have a 2 year warranty while the remans have 3 years of warranty.
I need to change the one on my '95 as the leak has gotten worse even though it's not being driven.

AAE (new):
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1408&jsn=1408


BBB industries (reman):
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1409&jsn=1409


Cardone (reman):
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...=1410&jsn=1410

These are all Z3 racks?
I'd be really interested if any one has checked gearing ratio's to be correct. But heck, I might buy one cause I know it's getting time.

[206danebmx]

I don't have rock auto experience, but I bought a cheap new "z3" rack from buy auto parts.com for $270 and it has been working fine for 2 months, no leaks yet. I'm on 95 m3.

I was about to go for the AAE one but I think this one was even cheaper.

[Veleno]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

[Veleno]

These are all Z3 racks?
I'd be really interested if any one has checked gearing ratio's to be correct. But heck, I might buy one cause I know it's getting time.

These are the racks identified on RA for my '95 M3, and I'm unsure if they're the same ones listed for the Z3.

Braymond, how long has the AAE been holding up? The price difference between the new AAE and reman BBB/Cardone isn't much but the remans offer an extra year of warranty (2yr. vs. 3yr.).

[82bmw633]

Look at the tag on the rack. You can do some research to cross-reference chassis and rack numbers. Then you should be able to accurately tell what rack you’re looking at online.

I got a rebuilt rack from the Rack Doctor. They won’t sell a Z3 rack with an M3 trade-in.


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[notMpowered]

I've had a z3 AAE on my car for about 5 years now and still happy with it.

[Veleno]

Which model AAE are you guys using? There appears to be 2 different models. I'm not sure what the differences are but if anyone knows please share.

3011N - used in the 3.2 Z3
3310N - used in the '95 M3, 1.9/2.8/3.0 Z3

[206danebmx]

Which model AAE are you guys using? There appears to be 2 different models. I'm not sure what the differences are but if anyone knows please share.

3011N - used in the 3.2 Z3
3310N - used in the '95 M3, 1.9/2.8/3.0 Z3

If it's useful, I asked bimmerwolrd about the 3011N and they told me it was 3.2 turns lock to lock and also a progressive ratio rack (like the OEM 95 m3)..that's why I stayed away from it because I wanted linear ratio.

[Veleno]

If it's useful, I asked bimmerwolrd about the 3011N and they told me it was 3.2 turns lock to lock and also a progressive ratio rack (like the OEM 95 m3)..that's why I stayed away from it because I wanted linear ratio.

So did you go with and install the 3310N?

I came across a really informative thread on another forum. Very helpful information on there.

https://nam3forum.com/forums/forum/m...rmation-thread

[206danebmx]

I ended up going with the Buy auto parts "Z3" rack. Its 50mm rack travel/revolution linear and about 3.2 lock to lock.

This one: https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/80-00224_AN

Thats a nice thread you found there too.

update: I also just measured my OEM 95 M3 rack and it looks to be about 40mm rate in the center of the rack and 50mm at the sides (the progressive nature of the steering ratio).

I personally did not notice much of difference switching racks, it does feel a hair touchier on the freeway but no real noticeable effort needed to steer for instance. I think I would prefer an even quicker ratio. Like 53 or 55mm perhaps.

[Veleno]

Thanks for the link to the rack you got. How long has it been installed and have you had any issues to date?
A quicker ratio would be nice, but based on my short driving experience with the car I have no complaints with the oem steering ratio/feel.

I ended up going with the Buy auto parts "Z3" rack. Its 50mm rack travel/revolution linear and about 3.2 lock to lock.

This one: https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/80-00224_AN

Thats a nice thread you found there too.

update: I also just measured my OEM 95 M3 rack and it looks to be about 40mm rate in the center of the rack and 50mm at the sides (the progressive nature of the steering ratio).

I personally did not notice much of difference switching racks, it does feel a hair touchier on the freeway but no real noticeable effort needed to steer for instance. I think I would prefer an even quicker ratio. Like 53 or 55mm perhaps.