As I'm stuck waiting for parts for the subframe I thought I would clean up the rack.
I haven't inspected in closely until this morning, and I have a couple really dumb questions.

The rack that's been on the car, that we took off a series 3 in the wrecking yard fall of 2014 has 2 tubes running the length of the main body.


The rack that just came with the subframe, which looks in Great condition except for a little surface rust, only has ONE tube running the length.


There are holes where the other tube would have been.




Before I go any further with this, Is this missing a critical part or is it a later factory modification?
(';')

 

one of the pictures shows what looks like a broken tube? If the old one works fine, use it. I would not trust the one missing the tube unless it had been tested.

If you buy a remanned rack at AutoZone or O'Reilly they always ask for a core, (the old one). or else they stick you with a core charge.
Give them that one.

 

Thank you, Jose, as I feared, it's not usable as is.
I said it would be a dumb question.

I didn't know Autozone sold remained racks!
(';')

 

yes Elinor, everything they sell is remanufactured. Even the new parts.

The good news? Lifetime Warranty, so if it leaks after 3 years, you get another one, just bring the bad one. Better still, O'Reilly has a countrywide system and they know what you bought, when, and where. So if your rack leaks in New York, and you bought it in Calif. you still get another one, free. Can't beat it.

NOTE: the R & R labor is not covered, only the replacement part. Fine with me.

 

Yes, Jose, I have a business account at O'Reilly, but I never thought of getting a rebuilt rack from them!

They don't make much off me usually as I Always get lifetime warranty even electrical parts. Work truck is on its Third starter from them and second alternator ! (Dozens of starts a day is Real hard on starters)

As my labor is free to me anyway, part replacement is Just Fine!
(';')