I finally got the rack in the mail today. $220 shipped from a place I found on
http://www.car-part.com and it was in good shape. 105k miles on it, no leaks at all. It is from a 1997 Z3 1.9L, which means it has the 2.7 turn gear ratio. That will sure beat 4 turns on blown end seals!
Anyway, since I still have some special-order crap in the mail, I did some prep work today.
As you can see, it was a tad dirty, and had old tie rod assemblies. I purchased new ones, as well as new boots (and just about everything you can imagine). I rebuilt the PS pump 2 months ago, and also got a new resivoir and new hoses (minus the high-pressure line...no leaks in it and it is $240 f'n dollars). I had wire-brushed it before the picture.
A little further apart.....
I decided that I wanted this thing CLEAN. Despite the fact that it is already pretty weather-resistant, I opted to go overboard. I began the prep-work. Some MEK and brake cleaner came in handy for this.
I am addicted to the PVC / under-carriage paint stuff (No, I do not huff it). It is something I strive to apply to anything that goes under the car, so long as the part does not get terribly hot. This stuff has a pleasing texture to it as well (this is the stuff you repaint the rocker panels with).
And a little closer up...
Don't mind the masking-line around the input shaft area. There is a rubber boot that will cover that. I will also be repacking the rack teeth & shaft with fresh lithium grease.
I am not sure if I want to tackle the install this weekend or not. I have to fly to Seattle on business from Sunday-Wednesday, leaving Friday evening & Saturday to do this. I also have to get it aligned afterwards, which means I need to get it done by like 4PM Saturday, because this has to get me to work next Thursday. While I am down there, the control arms are getting replaced as well (thinking of putting some nifty PVC paint on those as well). I might have to hold off on this until I get back, although it will be even harder due to a weekend with GF & best friend from college.
