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Found out today that my steering rack is gubbed. Lock to lock, there's an almost light scraping noise. It's a strange noise, hard to define.

I started to notice this on Saturday, and today was way louder. Ran car into A4 Audi Glasgow, very obliging as usual (well I am a good customer) stuck car on ramp whilst I sat inside throwing the wheel lock to lock, two Techs one regular (Mick) who knows my car very well, confirmed what I had suspected.

This has been an expensive half year so far..

September: Kit of Pilot Sport Cup 2s. £1300.00

October: O and F, Box and final Drive Oils circa £600.00

December: Front Discs, Fitting Kit, Pads, full bleed empty reservoir and replenish. all OE supplied by me £1100.00 Inc. the cost of the discs/pads

Now: Rack, track rod ends, ancillaries, recalibration to Radar and Alignment £3100.00

I never bothered much looking into a recon rack, I suspect most recons are on your own unit, which means the car is off the road for some time.

I highly doubt the garage would want my car sitting about, and I don't have the luxury of a second car. The bike is garage bound till April.

Checked the price against Audi Braehead:

All inc VAT..

Rack: £2400.00
Rod Ends: £87.00 x 2
Ancillaries: £60.00
Labour 5hrs @ £187.00 ph
Labour includes radar, coding, and alignment

Total: Circa £3600.00

Saving over stealers quote: Circa £500.00

Have asked them to eradicate that creaking noise on my NSF, which is driving me INSANE. Typically, I couldn't get the car to perform said creak with Mick riding shotgun for the second time ..

Could be ball joint, top mount, arm.. fucked shock, which would be under warranty as it was replaced last year..another £1700.00

Anyone want to buy a car ?...

Just found this vid, mine sounds exactly the same as this https://youtu.be/nQzGK8QF5ZE?si=3Dra6WATlIKh86lg





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I’m not going to lie. I’m clearly getting old, because I’d find mine unbearable to own if I didn’t do all the work myself. It’s a pricey beast to maintain. You boys must be made of money

I get that completely..

However, you need to take into consideration some variables as far as this one goes.

The overarching lack of desire to roll about on the deck cracking nuts and wrestling with parts. I've fitted loads of racks in a previous life, when life and cars were way more simpler.

Lack of facilities: A prerequisite replacing a rack for me would be a lift/ramp.

Specialist tools: Radar Calibration, Digital Wheel alignment kit.

The big one is time, I just don't have it. Running your own business is just a big, hungry machine looking to get fed every day.

My bike is the complete opposite, got all my tools, ramp, heated garage, I pretty much do the lot at home, the car is different, for me anyhow lol..

Has anyone else had to replace a rack ?




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Christ that sounds horrible!

I feel your pain Stuart, here's hoping it at least goes without any additions and complications. Any RS part seems to have a crazy premium on them, but who wants to cut corners?

I guess I am old, well tbf I know it. I've always done my own maintenance but not any more, I no longer have the horsepower in my arms and shoulders or the flexibility to wriggle around under a car. My cap is doffed to professional mechanics who are working up to retirement. Nice garage btw!

Same here, Custer, have no desire to work on my car, bikes are different, and my garage is set up for that purpose.

A lot of bikes have rolled out of there in the past.. considering selling my HP4 as I used it once on the road last year, year before hardly out on it at all.

It'll put money back in the bank, which is what I need right now, seriously thinking about it, if it goes, I'd be as well selling everything else too.

I've almost finished stripping a pair of front B8 calipers. I just need them painted, new seal kit, then I'll be selling those if anyone's interested or needs a set.

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