Steering Rack Replacement? :(

[MarshMA10]

Intermittent failure of EPS system on e89 2010 35i led me to drop it in with “Power Steering Services” last week. Generally they offer rebuild and refurbishment services.

Today they reported they had removed the whole rack and tested various elements, motor etc. and deemed it j unfixable / needs replacing.

Is there any forum wisdom here, and/or any clever tricks in terms of sourcing a rack?

 

[raymond.harper]

If it is the same company in Greenwich, take what they say with a pinch of salt. They tried to fix my car in 2016 and wanted to charge me £1500. I refused, and paid them £350 for the labour but due to my suspicions, used the credit card. When I got her home there was a large scratch on the rear wing which they had caused. They denied it at first, so the credit card was contacted and the payment stopped. Then they agreed to have the car repaired at their cost. My advice is to try somewhere else for a second opinion.

 

[matsmith749]

To a hammer every problem looks like a nail.

 

[AnubisZed]

About £350 for a used rack and around £1300 for a new one.
What sort of price were they quoting to replace it?

 

[MarshMA10]

Not received the price yet.

Problem cited as “software corruption” on the “steering module”. Currently awaiting a quote from them.

Not sure what my alternative options are, really. I don’t particularly mind fitting a second hand part but obviously you lose any element of warranty / there is a get out of jail free card if it fails again tomorrow.

 

[AnubisZed]

....
Problem cited as “software corruption” on the “steering module”. Currently awaiting a quote from them.

I'd have thought that the software could be fully reinstalled to this module, unless it's a hardware issue.

...Not sure what my alternative options are, really. I don’t particularly mind fitting a second hand part but obviously you lose any element of warranty / there is a get out of jail free card if it fails again tomorrow.

As far as I can tell this is an "all in one" unit, ie; no parts are available separately, so as the module is part of it. If they quote you less than the £1300 then you want to be asking exactly what they are fitting!!

 

[B21]

There are several companies that will refurbish these unit with the correct tools

https://www.autotronics.co.uk/product/bmw-z4-power-steering-column-repair

 

[john-e89]

Bit unusual for this problem on an E89 isn’t it…? :?

 

[B21]

Bit unusual for this problem on an E89 isn’t it…? :?

Sadly there was a small batch with this unit that went Pete Tong..it also affected some other models using the same design…pretty unusual but has come up to my knowledge a few times..

 

[john-e89]

Bit unusual for this problem on an E89 isn’t it…? :?

Sadly there was a small batch with this unit that went Pete Tong..it also affected some other models using the same design…pretty unusual but has come up to my knowledge a few times..

I didn’t think I’d heard of this problem on the E89, at least there’s a fix for less than the OP has encountered.

 

[MarshMA10]

Hit the stoppers with the repair shop. They say they cannot source a replacement part; they are not willing to buy a s/h part themselves. If I want them to post my current faulty parts components to the company B21 mentioned, it’s £40 a day whilst it waits on the ramp for return plus lots of labour charges.

Groupthink time: what are my options?

- try getting it posted to & returned from autotronics company. Likely cost £800-1000? £400 unit fix fee + labour + postage + bollocks. No guarantees or recourse from anyone due to two companies blaming one another if it doesn’t work.
- take the car back, a day off work, and drive it to a specialist. BMW official place, or a named place? The Zed Shed, etc.? All suggestions welcomed. Car is in London currently. Likely cost £1500 at BMW?
- take the car back, sell as spares/repairs. Not keen on this option, can’t be doing with the hassle really. What would it be worth? Net loss £4k or something.
- find and purchase a used good steering rack myself, send to the current shop, request they fit it. I don’t know which models I can/can’t get parts from (specific to e89? Specific to 35i?). Obviously there will be no warranty or works guarantee with this. I’m fine with that, so long as I am reasonably confident in the parts I buy. £500-700 maybe?


Thanks for helping chaps. I need it!

 

[raymond.harper]

I would get them to stick the car back together and take it away. The reviews for this company are not good. Talk to ECU testing and see if they can help https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123132

 

[B21]

A BMW excahange rack is about £2.5k..plus labour ..about. £4K+

So it’s find a different garage and either refurb the old one whilst the garage waits or buy a used rack..chances are it will be good..

 

[MarshMA10]

Well, car back to base now. Had a good look at the rack and the motor/module on other similar bmw spares so at least got a good flavour of what broke.

However, sort of back at square one.

I think the choice solution is to purchase one of the racks from eBay, roll the dice, and get that fitted in place of mine?

Confirmed with bmw that a new rack is 3 day lead time and £2254 price plus £900 supplement, unless you give them your old rack in exchange.