Steering rack leak
Thread Starter
Abby Normal
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,463
Likes: 92
From: Press "2" for English
Steering rack leak
Hey guys. I did some searching and it looks like a steering rack leak isn't that unusual but I haven't seen anything like mine. Mine leaks really, really bad. Almost as fast as I can put it in. It seems to be positional because it will sometimes leak out even with the engine off. What I have seen is it appears to be leaking right at the input shaft where the column shaft attaches. Is this a known failure? Can just that seal be replaced?
At this point I'm thinking of just getting a rebuilt rack and new pressure hose and hope that I can drive the car for more than 15 miles without having to put fluid in it. Hope it's that easy.
At this point I'm thinking of just getting a rebuilt rack and new pressure hose and hope that I can drive the car for more than 15 miles without having to put fluid in it. Hope it's that easy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
steering rack
I definitely would consider getting a rebuilt rack and new pressure hose. They seem to start at about $250.00 with big core charges, $300.00 and up. I replaced one on my C4 and it worked out great. The same vendor also has c5 steering racks. He is on the big auction site.
If you are having the work done it will be higher due to the labor involved in the removing and replacing the rack. If it were me I would replace with a remanufactured rack. Good luck with your repair.
If your vehicle is high mileage I would also replace the power steering pump at the same time.
If you are having the work done it will be higher due to the labor involved in the removing and replacing the rack. If it were me I would replace with a remanufactured rack. Good luck with your repair.
If your vehicle is high mileage I would also replace the power steering pump at the same time.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
I just pulled mine out and got a rebuilt one from Zip (+ the big core charge as zachaeous just mentioned). In my opinion, not worth the effort of trying to rebuild it yourself. It's sort of like the AC compressor- if it takes a dump, while you could rebuild it, you might as well just get another one.
