changing of rack ends

[motorsport2]

Hi guys,

Mine are leaking, is it a big job as 1 mechanic wants to charge me a arm & a leg to change?

97 318is

 

[Peter@AEW]

You have a leak from the rack ends?

I will presume that your car has power steering and if there is a leak on the rack end side it will require a steering rack overhaul which is expensive.

Either you are saying it wrong or he is telling you wrong

 

[Ralf*]

yup ! on what a1exander says

The Rack-ends cannot leak, as they don't contain any fluid, but close by is the steering rack, and if this is the source of the leak, probably hydraulic fluid, then yes...its gonna cost a few $$$$

the rack-ends on their own aren't to expensive, and the labour to change them isn't normally to much either

 

[motorsport2]

Hi, i went to do wheel alignment & saw the rhs boot leaking.

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Hi, i went to do wheel alignment & saw the rhs boot leaking & the pump is whining.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Hi, i went to do wheel alignment & saw the rhs boot leaking.

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Hi, i went to do wheel alignment & saw the rhs boot leaking & the pump is whining.

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you need a steering rack overhaul.....it is not cheap

 

[Ralf*]

Hi, i went to do wheel alignment & saw the rhs boot leaking.

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Hi, i went to do wheel alignment & saw the rhs boot leaking & the pump is whining.

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the fluid leaking out of the boot is from the the steering rack itself, probably from the seal of the shaft.

causes
1)the boot was broken or torn at some stage and allowed dirt and grit to enter which got caught between the steering rack shaft and the seal, essentially wearing away the seal, causing hydraulic fluid to now leak out.
2)the steering rack output shafts got bent/warped due to some impact with potholes/curbstones/accident, this bent/warped steering shaft has now also worn away the seal, causing it to leak.
3)old age, wear and tear

less likely causes, but still possible

4)dirt or grit entered the power steering fluid resevoir during fluid top-up
5)incorrect power steering fluid used that caused the seal to disintergrate

 

[motorsport2]

Thanks, so can i just change the seal? Can i buy the seal at a spare shop or do i have to recon the complete rack?

 

[Peter@AEW]

:facepalm:

READ POST 5 ABOVE

What strikes me as odd is the fact that you do not know what is happening yet you wish to "buy a seal" and change it.

No you cannot just go and buy 1 seal you need to overhaul the rack.....period

 

[Ralf*]

Thanks, so can i just change the seal? Can i buy the seal at a spare shop or do i have to recon the complete rack?

remove entire steering rack

1) send to a specialist shop for a complete overhaul
or
2)purchase a new steering rack
or
3)purchase a reconditioned steering rack
or
4)purchase a second hand unit from a "reputable" scrap yard/breaker's yard

I seriously doubt that you would be able to succesfully overhaul the steering rack yourself....it is a specialist hydraulic engineering shop that can do this properly only

 

[DieselFan]

Phone ZF