Steering Rack Hardline Leak

fravel · 05-11-2016, 07:35 AM

Just when I thought this car was all sorted out...

Was in the middle of some routine maintenance and noticed that I've got a leak coming from one of the hardlines on my steering rack. Leak circled in red.

As you can see, the leak as moved past just soaking the area around the nut, and has started dripping. So I come to you with 2 questions:

#1. I don't see replacement hardlines available anywhere, and it would appear that a remanufactured steering rack comes with the lines; do I have to replace the whole rack to fix this? Can I just replace an o-ring or possibly locktite?

#2. Leak is still minor, and fluid level is still good. Driveable? I'm supposed to go on a spring drive this weekend that I've been looking forward to for awhile, and otherwise the car is in great shape.

fravel · 05-11-2016, 04:06 PM

Looks like a remanufactured rack can be had for $250. That's cheap enough that I'm ok with attempting the repair as a "learning experience."

Gonna attempt to crack open the fitting tonight and see if I can shove an o-ring in there.

fravel · 05-12-2016, 09:58 AM

Update: decided to wait until after the weekend to look into this as I'm going on a spring drive. Will attempt next week.

e90ca · 10-15-2016, 01:31 PM

Did you ever replace your steering rack or resolve your issue? I believe I am having the same type of issue, and not sure what to do next.

techwhiz · 10-15-2016, 08:50 PM

I also think I'm having the same issue.

fravel · 10-17-2016, 08:01 AM

Naw, I haven't messed with it. I very carefully snugged that nut up before I put the car back together and put it out of my mind, too broke to bother with right now.

05-11-2016, 07:35 AM	#1
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	Steering Rack Hardline Leak Just when I thought this car was all sorted out... Was in the middle of some routine maintenance and noticed that I've got a leak coming from one of the hardlines on my steering rack. Leak circled in red. As you can see, the leak as moved past just soaking the area around the nut, and has started dripping. So I come to you with 2 questions: #1. I don't see replacement hardlines available anywhere, and it would appear that a remanufactured steering rack comes with the lines; do I have to replace the whole rack to fix this? Can I just replace an o-ring or possibly locktite? #2. Leak is still minor, and fluid level is still good. Driveable? I'm supposed to go on a spring drive this weekend that I've been looking forward to for awhile, and otherwise the car is in great shape. __________________
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05-11-2016, 04:06 PM	#2
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	Looks like a remanufactured rack can be had for $250. That's cheap enough that I'm ok with attempting the repair as a "learning experience." Gonna attempt to crack open the fitting tonight and see if I can shove an o-ring in there. __________________ Last edited by fravel; 05-12-2016 at 09:58 AM..
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05-12-2016, 09:58 AM	#3
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	Update: decided to wait until after the weekend to look into this as I'm going on a spring drive. Will attempt next week. __________________
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10-15-2016, 01:31 PM	#4
e90ca Captain 82 Rep 671 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pleasanton, CA iTrader: (12)	Did you ever replace your steering rack or resolve your issue? I believe I am having the same type of issue, and not sure what to do next. __________________ 2011 335i with M-Sport Performance package, Carbon Fiber interior trim, gloss black kidney grills. 18" Apex Arc-8, JB4, ETS Charge pipe
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10-15-2016, 08:50 PM	#5
techwhiz Colonel 453 Rep 2,973 Posts Drives: e90 335i Sedan - Arctic Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bay Area, Ca iTrader: (4)	I also think I'm having the same issue. __________________ Arctic Metallic\CF Splitters, Spoiler, Mirror Covers\LED Tails\LSD\Tinted\Coded\Apex Square SM10-19"\LED Angel Eyes\Gloss Black Grill\Integrated V1 & Galaxy Tab\M-Performance Brakes\Cobb Tuned\xHP Flash\Resonator Removed and -> is your friend.
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10-17-2016, 08:01 AM	#6
fravel Colonel 1645 Rep 2,494 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Nasti 'Nati iTrader: (1)	Naw, I haven't messed with it. I very carefully snugged that nut up before I put the car back together and put it out of my mind, too broke to bother with right now. __________________
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