Help! Power steering pipe fracture

[Smudgemanuk]

Hi all,

I noticed my Z was leaking quite a bit of psf this morning so took a look under it.

It is clear one of the steering rack pipes has fractured, seemingly due to corrosion and maybe rubbing on the subframe.

Is it part 4 in the picture below.

I have 2 questions:

Where do I find a replacement? (BMW no longer make them and have none in stock. I feel I will just have a similar issue with a second hand one)
Does the steering rack need to be fully removed to replace them?
Could it be possible that they are brake pipe fittings and pipe meaning I could make some myself?

Thank you

Chris

 

[Peter1450]

BMW Z3 New Steering Rack Pipes Inc Seals | eBay UK

These pipes replace the two pipes that run from your steering rack pinion to the rack body (not to be mistaken for the pipes that run from the pump to the rack). STEERING RACK PIPES INC SEALS. BMW Steering.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Smudgemanuk]

Wow thank you!

I promise you I did a thorough search with the part number

Much appreciated

 

[elevensies]

you could just cut out the leaking section, and slide over hydraulic rubber hose and use hydraulic 'wide' clamps....

 

[Smudgemanuk]

That is what I considered.
However....
This has gone from bad to worse. I was inspecting the rack and there is a HUGE crack running through the casting around the mount meaning when I took the rack off the mount came off in multiple pieces! This renders the rack unusable so I have contacted a breaker about getting another one.

 

[bmwz3tower]

That is what I considered.
However....
This has gone from bad to worse. I was inspecting the rack and there is a HUGE crack running through the casting around the mount meaning when I took the rack off the mount came off in multiple pieces! This renders the rack unusable so I have contacted a breaker about getting another one.

View attachment 358319

Did you hit something in the road that caused the crack?

 

[Smudgemanuk]

Nope. But I have only been driving it since November.

I had a look at the cracks and it has definitely been broken for a while.

 

[Delk]

You could also try Spursfan on here and see if he has a rack

 

[1955Davidr]

Although a relative term I have found in the past that a reconditioned exchange rack has not been too expensive for what it is, worth a look.

 

[AntStark]

Although a relative term I have found in the past that a reconditioned exchange rack has not been too expensive for what it is, worth a look.

The rack you exchange has to be serviceable..don’t think that falls into that category🫤
@Andyboy had one off his 2.2 he was breaking..not sure if he still has

 

[Smudgemanuk]

You could also try Spursfan on here and see if he has a rack

That's what I have done

Im just about to message Andyboy.

I found that exchange recondition procedure but as others have stated it says it has to be serviceable sadly, otherwise it would be great!

Thank you for your help everybody, much appreciated

 

[Smudgemanuk]

I collected a rack from Spursfan last night

I will fit it today and the car will be back on the road!

 

[colb]

Return pipe kit is also available from here

Power Steering Return Pipe - 32411094452 | ZEDonist

Power Steering Return Pipe - 32411094452

www.zedonist.com

I have fitted this kit on a members car and its very well made and a direct replacement.