Rack and parts + new mechanic?

[P-O Selander <p-o.selander@ericsson.com>]

Met up with a "new" Audi mechanic last night. Have anyone in Dallas
worked with "Norstadt Autoshuppin" and Phil Rice?. He's up in
Richardson, just behind Classic BMW at Bishop Avenue and have tons of
Audis around. Works mostly on Audi, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar.
Had a long interesting nice chat. Anyone had any experiencies in dealing
with him? My regular mechanic is "Kosova Foreign Car Service" and Hajdar
Zoga, phone (214) 348-1626. Always does a good job but is a bit far away
for me.

Anyway, since my rack is slowly starting to leak (after 110K miles) we
talked about it. He is buying remanufactured racks from somewhere, did
not get the name but they are fairly expensive, $475. Anyway, he claimed
that the major problem with leaking racks are not the leaking seals
"directly" but that the material in the "piston" is somewhat soft and
lightly wears down, hence resulting in the seals being slightly big and 
leaking. He's been buying remanufactured racks where the piston has been
treaded and hardened so it stands up to wear better than the original
rack. Claims he's been using these guys for over six years now and no
leakage on his 5KTQ. Anyone heard anything like this? I know that you
can buy remanuctured racks for some $200 and paying over twice does not
make sence, unless it "really" will hold up.
This guy (probably in his mid fifties and really nice) has been working
at an Audi dealers prior to starting his own business.

Can also source original parts cheap, and adds essentially no mark up.
Will try him today for some parts (bomb and window switches).
One example, my speedometer sending unit is the same for my 1989
slushbox as for Porsche 944 (VDO part). And, this is unbelievable, he
can get it about 30% cheaper for Porsche than what I can find it at even
Carlsen. Good if he has a lot of cross references like that between the
German brands.

Will let you know if he's reputable or not.

P-O Selander, Dallas, TX
89 100E
91 300ZXTT (for sale)