I rebuilt my leaking steering rack -- BMW E46 Steering Rack Rebuild DIY

Steering rack rebuild kit (seals):
www.ebay.com/itm/186136588760
The bearings that you need to replace are:
NTN 6001 CN ball bearing
www.ebay.com/itm/323653145548
INA F-208801.4 roller bearing (I got mine from aliexpress.com)
SKF BB1B-363215B-SKF ball bearing (I got mine from 123bearing.com):
www.123bearing.com/bearing-ho...
Check out Bad E30's steering rack rebuild video here:
• EP. 2 My BMW E30 Resto...
This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.

[@TamilTexas]

I owe this man thousands of $$$ for keeping my 2006 E83 M54 alive to this day. Even his E46 videos helped me fix my E83 as they seem pretty similar. Hat’s off to you my friend.

[@camialeh]

the e53 is based on the e39, the e83 is based on the e46 so yeah, many things and repairs are common between these cars, even more if all have m54 engines

[@ZE46YR]

Dude, please never stop. Your channel is priceless.

[@kevinlin7148]

My E46 is alive and running better than ever because of you. Driving it a lot more enjoyable than driving my new toy cars

[@joatmon7621]

I'm not even joking here. Early this morning I looked for videos on this and was planning on gathering parts to do the job. Now 6 hours later YOU release this video... Couldn't be better timing, thank you!

[@camialeh]

my steering rack started leaking when this video was released, now that i found it, was a signal i didnt saw! time fora rebuild!

Thanks very much! I had a serious leak on my Cayenne S, and having seen the price of a replacement £2600(!) I decided to get a rebuild kit £36.00. I looked on you tube and found your video. Although the racks are slightly different, basically the same, and all your tips and procedure meant that I could strip down and rebuild confidently. Took all the stress away. Great stuff, well done. Andrew

[@charlesberry4958]

JASON YOU’RE BACK!! 😂

[@gooniegarage]

Jason your the reason why I had the confidence to manual swap and rebuild my whole M52tu in my e46

[@kenseagle4169]

One of the best repair guidance channels on KZbin.

[@knowlesb8]

Dude where you been ? Hope your well bud 👍 really miss your E46 vids you are a massive name in the E46 UK owners groups 👊 Keep well bud and keep knocking those E46 vids out when you can 🍻 Glad your back 👍👍

[@Ucofatoffski]

Great to see you creating new content, bud. I, and many other e46 owners, thank you.

[@18589396]

Dude! Im from Mexico, I really appreciate your videos, I have a BMW 325i 2001 swapped to manual and I learn a lot from you, keep going you knowledge is priceless!!!!

[@TheCalvinSkinner]

Reman parts are a joke, I'm happy to see a rebuild kit for this.

[@georgef1176]

On trailblazer SS racks I burn the center seal out. But I have now found that the center seals are never worn or hard. That said. Burning them out works but some racks like TB SS racks are glue bonded together so be careful. I am about to do my first e46 rack. I love that you showed how hard the center seals are to remove on all racks. You have the right tool. You just need to modify it. I saw what Detroit axle uses and it’s basically same bearing puller but it’s long. It’s a Kent Moore tool but you can just make those $40 ones work with some quick welding.

[@thomasp6333]

Glad youre doing well and still making vids, i was able to learn and do so much to my e46ci because of your videos! I truly couldnt have done a lot of it without the visual guidance of what i was looking for!

[@thomasp6333]

This was when i was 19-20 im 24 now

[@herrerafoto]

Hey Jason, thanks to your videos I built my confidence at doing all my own car services. We now own three BMWs and they all run great thanks to all the preventive maintenance Ive done on all three. I think the biggest and most intimidating job was when I did a manual swap on my 2003 E39 two years ago. Thank you so much for sharing with the world! (You're a great instructor BTW)

[@cxt9r]

I’m glad your back.

[@tomendter1718]

Another Great Video. Great to see you’re You-Tubing again.

[@nunyabusiness7405]

jason, future reference, if you take a bearing that is an interference fit such as that slim bearing for the input shaft, place said bearing in a pot of engine oil and crank the temp up to about 400 place the shaft in the freezer, the difference of expansion and shrinkage will allow it to slip right on without damaging the bearing.

[@50sKid]

nice tip

[@davidkaye8712]

Steering rack rebuild AND a haircutting tutorial, Jason always delivers above and beyond, good to see you my friend :)

[@johnwoolfrey5093]

I bought an E46 "rebuilt" rack from Rackdoctor and it lasted less than a year before it started leaking. I didn't send my old rack back (as a core) so I didn't get the warranty. I also didn't install the "rebuilt" rack right away so I was outside any warranty period. I rebuilt my old rack similar to this video and that was a couple years ago, still leak free. The seal kit at that time was under $100usd. After taking apart and inspecting my "rebuilt" rack I was not impressed.

[@50sKid]

nice to hear a story on someone else's rebuild experience (and buying a supposedly rebuilt rack)!

[@dylanmitchell8498]

Hey Jason. I splurged on a manual swap, as it has been my dream to swap my E46 coupe. I wouldn’t even have thought of doing that without your incredibly detailed videos. We all appreciate you a lot! Cheers from Ohio. Also, you transformed. You look good man!

[@phillloyd6356]

Glad to see you back making great content Jason

[@dantediss1]

Off topic of this current project, but i genuinely need to Thank You, and say i owe you a Steak. I used your CCV video to replace mine last Night... After 10 Long Hours, my Car Now Feels Amazing. Only issue i came across was Oil Dipstick... my Bolt location was in a Completely different area, and there was No Way i could Feasibly Remove it. Other than that, the Video Saved me So Much. Thank You

[@vanhongtieu7454]

My legend is back with E46 🎉

[@johnwoolfrey5093]

Also note, when you buy an E46 seal kit you have to get the correct kit for your rack. Your rack may be a TRW or a ZF rack. Your rack will have a yellow or purple tag and a TRW rack will have "TRW" engraved in the rack body.

[@codifyy1882]

the squirt at 5:21 killed me LMFAOOO

[@jw200]

I basically forgot about this channel. KZbin notified that you have new video. My E36 steering is also heavy, I will replace the fluid and flush whole system. If it doesn't work I will replace the pump.

[@cosmicdustparticle7481]

You are the working-man's hero!

[@Car-Math]

The Legend is back!!

[@thomasmaclennan2176]

Great to see another e46 post from you i followed your manual conversion only difference was immobiliser wiring is different in the UK you are go to guy for bmw thanks

[@mtamomoo550]

Is been a while man, thanks for this video I've been waiting for this especially coming from you. The details from scratch to finish my MAN 👏👏. Big up.

[@milehighboost5521]

Sick video! My stock e60 rack started leaking out of no where so I ended up just purchasing another used one online that saved me so much time and money. $160 shipped! This should help me rebuild my original rack just in case or maybe I sell it online.

[@cosminchiricuta4668]

Welcome Back!!!

[@cdh76]

Good video and including the mistakes is often helpful for the DIYers. But you need to update us on how well it worked.

[@eldralla6246]

i need to rebuild mine too thanx for the help

[@AudioTherapy0]

I think you should not have tightened that 17mm nut all the way which has a spring under it. That spring will be compressed all the way and not function as it should which will cause excessive wear on the plastic that touches a shaft. Also, it will be harder to turn a steering wheel if it's too tight. If I am not wrong that nut should be tightened to the point when a spring has some tension but not too compressed. Also, I think some lube on that plastic will not be a bad idea. Amazing video tho! Keep it up!

[@50sKid]

You may be right -- maybe I will try to adjust it a little.

[@hendr100]

yeay, u r back

[@E306cyl]

Love you for this

[@wot48320]

Thank you, now I don't have to buy those cheap rebuild rack if I need it.

[@johnstuart3851]

Green 3M pad to clean the rack shaft. Buff after that if desired. Constructive critique: The buffing wheel maintenance and selection details is outside the scope of this video.

[@tannervallejo1340]

thank you!!!!

[@lorrisl5026]

I'd love a detailed explanation about how different the rack feels. I do not have any of the extracting tools you have, so I'd be better off buying a genuine rack from bmw, but still !

[@50sKid]

It feels a bit tighter, less sort of vague or wobbly. But the difference is very subtle. Mostly this was to solve the oil leak problem.

[@gsyp1822]

🐐

[@2000shellback]

ECS used to sell the kit but no longer in stock. Gates part # 348654. NLA.

[@Tobias_Krell]

I have a question about the power steering (Audi A4 B5), which makes a noise when the engine is running and you move the steering wheel even a little (the more the louder). Also, hydraulic oil is leaking somewhere, but I can't find the location for the life of me. However, the leak is so big that the expansion tank is almost empty within 2-3 minutes. Any idea where this could typically be on the A4 B5... ?

[@musicforever5128]

I have a 1987 325i with a badly leaking steering rack that I bought from Rockauto a mere few months ago. Very unhappy that they dropped the ball and are of no help. Now I cannot drive the car at all. Rebuilding myself with a few mechanic friends and a cold 30 pack might be my only option. Has anyone rebuilt a rack from such an old 325i? Many have told me it is impossible to do but that is obviously not true.

[@antonioilijevic9031]

no wayy he made something like this

[@lolish1234]

Are the parts the same for the purple/yellow tag racks? Since I thought only the ratio is different on these ones

[@50sKid]

Seems to be. They just use different ratios between the teeth on the gears

[@nikolastijelja9796]

I think I'll buy a new one

[@JaredHamblin]

Is this the same rack as an E39 525i ?

[@chuckz28]

My E46 got wrecked a couple months ago 😢 stupid lady wasnt paying attention to the road.

[@northernmaten7676]

why not buying purple tag rack

[@vladalexandrescu1752]

How did you set the preload?

[@50sKid]

The feel method. Couldn't find any reference info so I went with my gut. Seems to feel just fine.

[@justfasial01]

did the loose tie rod joint cause slight steering wheel vibration under braking? That's what I'm experiencing and it's got such a small amount of play that I can't say for sure if that's my problem. Everything else is solid in the front suspension (refreshed over the years).

[@shiftdnb]

get the tire up in the air and hands at 9 and 3 and shake it back and forth. If there is movement on just one side then it's most likely your tie-rod but if both sides play it could be the steering rack, and you can generally confirm this by looking for fluid in in the boot of the tie-rod.

[@IgazRocker]

Smaller vivrations while braking (especially when you are light braking, not smashing the padal) is usually bad, humpy brake rotors (front ones, ofc).... I had the same issue, changed them a month ago, since then, perfect

[@justfasial01]

@@IgazRocker Front brakes are not that worn or old, using the UUC slotted rotors but now that I think about them it could be the pads that are worn 50% (10mm left) and because of that the "lip" (curved edge) on new pads that was probably sliding on the slots could be now catching on the pads because it doesn't have that curve anymore. It shouldn't or they would sell different pads I'd imagine but I'll have to check it out.

[@justfasial01]

@@shiftdnb There's no movement from 9 to 3 (or 12 to 6) and that's why I'm not sure if it's the tie rods, my other car it was really obvious when they failed cuz I could move them by hand but in this case everything feels tight and I can't even rotate the ball joint by hand on the tie rod ends. The only way I could feel any play was pulling on the inner joint but I couldn't feel that play every time, not consistent in and out play, but a couple of times It felt like it moved inside the ball joint. I'll end up replacing them at some point anyways but just trying to confirm if that could cause vibration only under braking? The other options is front rotors which still look good and pad material is about 10mm thick.

[@50sKid]

Typically that issue (steering wheel wobbling during BRAKING) is caused by warped brake rotors or worn lower control arm bushings, but not really bad tie rod ends. When tie rod ends go, you'll hear clunking when turning.

[@maxon887]

First like then watch)

[@--LZ---]

36:45 got caught by your gf playing with your shafts all alone?

[@50sKid]

bahaha

[@DieselRamcharger]

for the love of god STOP using a razor to cut seals! you are fucking up the piece. just use a damn pick dude.

[@riccardodefina9551]

I mean c'mon! Your bmw keeps falling apart! How is it even possible!

[@50sKid]

I’ve had it far too long lol

[@riccardodefina9551]

@@50sKid i have a e46 too (coupé with m52tu engine) but for the love of god if i would had all of yours problems, i simply could 've scraped that thing

[@azat670]

You are lost...

[@mikimiki195]

Great video I was just watching when he was using short screwdriver 🪛 you gonna cause damage 👍🏻

[@tonilcc7856]

Hello sir , do you have instagram or other platform where u can talk about e46 problems ? I live in Germany and I own a m54b22 320 coupe and I pretty much changed everything in it and still doesn’t drive like is supposed to ! Please help me !