Power Steering Rack Hard Lines

JWT4700 · 03-10-2026, 11:06 AM

Hey guys… like everyone else, I was rather upset when I found I could not order replacement lines for the power steering rack. One of mine rusted through where it sits in the clip. Picked up a used rack from the local salvage yard with the intent on just swapping the lines… same issue with rust at the clip. Spent the last week tracking out to several hydraulic shops including ones that specialize in power steering lines. No one can make them due to the one side not having a fitting and being held in by a plate.
So it looks like I’ll be buying a rack…

My question is what would you recommend for rust prevention on these lines? Maybe just run with out that clip? Paint is going to wear off before long. Maybe some type of epoxy coating? I thought since there is no nut in one side, you could slip a small piece of heat shrink on that end and atleast put that where the clip is at…not sure if heat shrink would be ok or not with standing up to the heat.
Any suggestions?

e90yyc · 03-10-2026, 12:51 PM

Got any pics? There’s a ton of road salt used where I live and I’ve swapped my rack a couple times (for other reasons) but have never noticed rust like you describe. (Ngl I thought the rack was aluminum…)

I currently have an old rack sitting in my garage. I will take a look at it and see if there’s rust on the lines. You’re referring to that plastic damping clip right? I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible to get rid of it…

My only concern with coating the lines would be making sure the coating doesn’t end up working against you by trapping moisture. But if done correctly, I see no reason why a good rust inhibiting coating wouldn’t help here.

Gizm0 · 03-10-2026, 01:25 PM

$185 for a remanufactured unit from Detroit Axle on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15108382960...gaAibdEALw_wcB

JWT4700 · 03-10-2026, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizm0

$185 for a remanufactured unit from Detroit Axle on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/151083829607?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-166974-028196-7&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=151083829607&targetid= 2304343365564&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=905972 6&poi=&campaignid=21892403017&mkgroupid=1820099500 28&rlsarel="nofollow" target=pla-2304343365564&abcId=10090638&merchantid=6369354&ge oid=9059726&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2189240301 7&gbraid=0AAAAAD_QDh-vH-SgZQjk84CfJehdSXYGv&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgr_NBhDFARIsAHiU Wr6YVIhCDgs4IE09DPlpzHF7CmBolqZZW8hp7Wtrau0QFqonGR TUNngaAibdEALw_wcB

Appreciate the link!
Seems that’s for a RWD, the one for AWD is only 240, which is way better than the reman unit from FCP for around 600.
I’ll get that ordered and swap it out. Any thoughts on a coating to put on the line to prevent future failures?

JWT4700 · 03-10-2026, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

Got any pics? There’s a ton of road salt used where I live and I’ve swapped my rack a couple times (for other reasons) but have never noticed rust like you describe. (Ngl I thought the rack was aluminum…)

I currently have an old rack sitting in my garage. I will take a look at it and see if there’s rust on the lines. You’re referring to that plastic damping clip right? I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible to get rid of it…

My only concern with coating the lines would be making sure the coating doesn’t end up working against you by trapping moisture. But if done correctly, I see no reason why a good rust inhibiting coating wouldn’t help here.

Yes the plastic dampening clip. I’ll get some pics of both the junk yard unit as well as mine (still in the car) when I get home tonight. If you have lines that aren’t rusted, I’d be happy to buy them from you.

That’s why I thought of heat shrink tube for wiring. It has the glue inside that melts and seals out water. Not sure if the lines get too hot that it would just melt it back out then have moisture ingress

JWT4700 · 03-10-2026, 05:11 PM

Junk yard rack line don’t look like they are leaking, but it was damp in the clip area. You can see the rust on the line still on the car.

e90yyc · 03-11-2026, 08:17 AM

No shit hey. Dang.

Sorry I didn’t check last night. I will set a reminder to do this when I get home today.

And yes: If the lines are in good shape, I’m happy to let them go if it helps you.

e90yyc · 03-11-2026, 10:39 PM

Pics attached

e90yyc · 03-12-2026, 08:56 PM

JWT4700 Shoot me a PM if you’d like. I couldn’t see any rust on the lines.

JWT4700 · 03-13-2026, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

JWT4700 Shoot me a PM if you’d like. I couldn’t see any rust on the lines.

Looks good to me. PM sent.

03-10-2026, 11:06 AM	#1
JWT4700 Private 37 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 09 328i Xdrive sedan Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Meadville, PA iTrader: (0)	Power Steering Rack Hard Lines Hey guys… like everyone else, I was rather upset when I found I could not order replacement lines for the power steering rack. One of mine rusted through where it sits in the clip. Picked up a used rack from the local salvage yard with the intent on just swapping the lines… same issue with rust at the clip. Spent the last week tracking out to several hydraulic shops including ones that specialize in power steering lines. No one can make them due to the one side not having a fitting and being held in by a plate. So it looks like I’ll be buying a rack… My question is what would you recommend for rust prevention on these lines? Maybe just run with out that clip? Paint is going to wear off before long. Maybe some type of epoxy coating? I thought since there is no nut in one side, you could slip a small piece of heat shrink on that end and atleast put that where the clip is at…not sure if heat shrink would be ok or not with standing up to the heat. Any suggestions? __________________ E90: 09 328xi N51 6MT E90: 09 328xi N51 AT E46: 05 325xi M54
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03-10-2026, 12:51 PM	#2
e90yyc Art Collector 2875 Rep 3,774 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Got any pics? There’s a ton of road salt used where I live and I’ve swapped my rack a couple times (for other reasons) but have never noticed rust like you describe. (Ngl I thought the rack was aluminum…) I currently have an old rack sitting in my garage. I will take a look at it and see if there’s rust on the lines. You’re referring to that plastic damping clip right? I don’t see why it wouldn’t be possible to get rid of it… My only concern with coating the lines would be making sure the coating doesn’t end up working against you by trapping moisture. But if done correctly, I see no reason why a good rust inhibiting coating wouldn’t help here. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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03-10-2026, 01:25 PM	#3
Gizm0 Colonel 550 Rep 2,256 Posts Drives: 08 e92 335i 6mt Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Virginia iTrader: (1)	$185 for a remanufactured unit from Detroit Axle on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/15108382960...gaAibdEALw_wcB __________________ JB4 G5 w/ Backend flash - Walbro 450lpfp - VRSF DPs - VRSF 5" stepped IC - DCI - ER CP w/ Tial BOV - 335is clutch
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03-10-2026, 05:11 PM	#6
JWT4700 Private 37 Rep 116 Posts Drives: 09 328i Xdrive sedan Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Meadville, PA iTrader: (0)	Junk yard rack line don’t look like they are leaking, but it was damp in the clip area. You can see the rust on the line still on the car. Attached Images __________________ E90: 09 328xi N51 6MT E90: 09 328xi N51 AT E46: 05 325xi M54
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03-11-2026, 08:17 AM	#7
e90yyc Art Collector 2875 Rep 3,774 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	No shit hey. Dang. Sorry I didn’t check last night. I will set a reminder to do this when I get home today. And yes: If the lines are in good shape, I’m happy to let them go if it helps you. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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03-11-2026, 10:39 PM	#8
e90yyc Art Collector 2875 Rep 3,774 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Pics attached Attached Images __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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03-12-2026, 08:56 PM	#9
e90yyc Art Collector 2875 Rep 3,774 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT) Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	JWT4700 Shoot me a PM if you’d like. I couldn’t see any rust on the lines. __________________ When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
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