2001 S8

Well after 142,XXX miles my steering rack is starting to fail. Every once in a while, I am getting a slight knock and vibration when turning. The sound is coming from the driver's side. Seemingly directly under the dash. I took it to my mechanic. They looked the front end over; suspension is in great shape, (knew that since I've replaced the entire front end suspension over the past 30 months) and the bolts securing the rack to the car were all tight.

My question is, were is a reputable place to buy a re-manufactured steering rack? I know I can go to FCP Euro or ECS Tuning. But is there a company that can be recommended, that deals with rebuilding racks?

Thanks in advance.

audinutt

jorgen is a reputable re-manufacturer.

2001 S8

Thanks audinutt. I'll check them out. Has anybody ever heard of BuyAutoParts before?

NOLAessate

Purchased a rack from BuyAutoParts as part of a major refurbishment project in Sept 2016. That part failed in November 2018, fortunately with a 3 year warranty. So in having a replacement shipped, I had to pay for the replacement rack and give them a core charge (instead of having the defective rack shipped to them first - and VERY GLAD I held onto the defective rack). The replacement rack they sent out was not the correct one for my 02 S8. When I contacted them about the incorrect one, after checking stock they told me that they didn't currently have one in stock. Shipped the incorrect rack back and got a credit for the purchase and the core charge. Found and ordered a Bosch remanufactured rack from AutoZone (more expensive at $745, but got a 20% discount as a new customer) plus $150 core charge. Quick shipping and the correct rack. Then shipped the original defective rack back to BuyAutoParts for a refund of the original purchase price (received the email indicating they had received the rack and were applying purchase price as a credit back on my credit card on 1/30/19 but still haven't seen the credit on my statement).

The Bosch rack is installed and performing properly on my car. I still had the original rack from the 2016 repairs and brought that to my local AutoZone store with my order paperwork and got the core charge back. Very simple.

Hope this helps.

2001 S8

Thanks NOLAessate. This is very helpful. I know it's only one experience, but your two different incidences do raise questions about BuyAutoParts business practices.

Thanks again for chiming in, and mentioning your AutoZone experience.

Y888

When i called jorgen the guy that answered the phone was the most polite guy ever,patiently explained everything,year or 2 ago was around 380$ which is just a fraction of oem rack.

2001 S8

Yep, sent Jorgen's an email yesterday, but I will definitely follow-up with a phone call. Thanks for the insight Y888.

spitanddirt

Before you spend the money, have you thought about disconnecting the speed-sensitive steering solenoid and seeing of your chattering/knocking goes away? Also, what about only changing the outer tie rod ends? I suggest this because I'm pushing 286,000 miles and my steering rack is just fine with the exception of that solenoid. My steering is a little heavier at speeds less than 10mph, but it's not that bad. I just didn't see the benefit of going through hell trying to remove the steering rack for my issue.

As for your vibration, my car has always vibrated slightly at extreme left or right slow-speed turns. It's just the nature of the AWD setup and the tires scrub just a little. Otherwise, I have no steering issues and my car drives very straight with no discernable pull in either direction at highway speeds.

2001 S8

I've never thought about that. However, never knew that was an option : ) I know the tie rods (inner & outer) are good, as i replaced them three months ago with Lemforders. It definitely not tire scrubbing. I'll check it out solenoid. Options are good. Thanks for the input spitanddirt.

BrianC72gt

And there is a lash adjustment accessible from the driver's side wheelwell. Adjust at your peril. You can loosen the locknut then turn the adjustment like 1/8th of a turn and see if that tightens things up. Go too far and you are jamming the rack and pinion gears into each other too tight and they will not like it one bit.

Also have you tried to flush and fill your fluid? There's a valve or gate that redirects pressure to assist your movement. I'm sure it would like clean fluid.

There's a procedure around her somewhere.