Leaking steering rack

[dan_b]

****.
The steering rack on my 91 S2 is leaking a little bit of hydraulic fluid, giving me the occassional red warning light on the dash. I've been keeping an eye on it and topping it up about once every month or so with the Audi fluid, but apparently Audi now don't produce that rack anymore so I can't replace it.

I'm hoping it's just a seal that's gone - if that's the case, is there a way of replacing the seal and reconditioning it, or am I going to have to find a wrecked S2 somewhere and cannabalise it? Would that be expensive (the seal replacement)?

[Martynf]

Dan,

I find it hard to believe the rack is obsolete already!! it looks still available to me!! part number 8A2 422 065BX for Servo tronic 3B's. Not that you'd want to buy it anyhow!! retail at £715+vat exchange!!

The seals are not easily replaceable, infact you won't get many seals from an Audi dealer!! if the worst comes to the worse, try Power Steering Services in Greenwich S.E London, they always seem to get good write ups.

Couldn't believe the rack was obsolete, so I called my local friendly Audi dealer to check... they don't have any in stock in the UK, but he was able to place one on back order with Germany.....

Martyn

[S2central.net]

Martyn,

There are some around in the UK - hidden away no doubt - ages back I missed out severely on a consignment of S2 racks from a big eBay seller in the UK. He had a dozen or so brand new 'obsolete stock' that went for a song...

Paul

[Martynf]

NO....!!!!! that would of been a real coup!!! bummer...

[Dr H]

Paul

I remember those auctions. I missed the steering racks. Didn't they go for about £40 each or something stupid

I got an original middle silencer for my car for £45 which is wrapped up safely for whenever I need it.

[SteveH]

Yeah....I remember those racks...there were twenty or more!!

I called the guy, but he'd already done a deal with someone who bought the lot!! They are likely to be sitting in some garage in the UK waiting for our racks to fail. If I remember correctly the part number was for the ABY, so they were non servotronic.

Couldn't Dan just replace his failing 3B rack with the later ABY unit? I'd guess all the mountings are the same.

Steve.

[Vagsport]

Dan can replace the rack with one from ANY type 89 car, it is not unique to the S2, though Audi would want you to believe they are by using different part numbers for them. We have fitted one from an Audi 80 16V to a '92 S2 that had been in a bash. ops: The engine had move back and bent the rack. Quite rare for them to leak though... I would'nt replace the seals and refit it, you'll only find out if your repair has been successful after refitting, it's not exactly the easiest of jobs to tackle on an S2 with the engine in place. I would rather do it once and do it right.

[dan_b]

I think the leak on my rack is getting a little worse. I've now got through a whole can of ps fluid in about 3 months.

There is no sign of leaking from the pump, it's definitlely down low - it come out on the left hand side.

Any advice on what I should do?

I checked the service record - the rack was actually replaced by the previous owner about 2 1/2 years ago with a refurb exhange unit at a cost of £700, along with a new ps pump. Of course I'm way beyond any warranty on that now. I also simply can't afford to spend another £700 on another rack.

What should I do? Anyone know of anyone with a rack suitable for a 91 3B with servotronic (albeit I've disconnected the servotronic relay!)? Or are there any good powersteering companies in West London who could overhaul it for not too much cash?

[s2driveruk]

Try that powersteering services as i think i spoke to them a while back when mine looked like it was going to need a rebuild i think there prices were ok infact.

I am watching this thread with interest, i think my valve is getting past it - seems to load up and then go 'slack' again every so often so slowly getting to the point where i am going to have to replace that and probably the power steering pump too - again for little money if possible.

having changed the rubber steering gaiter last year - that is a **** of a job so not looking fwd to getting a whole rack out if it comes to it. audi didn't even want to quote for the work and wouldn't pin a max time on it either!!!!

Good luck and keep us posted Dan....

David

[porkkis]

What I've heard about these steering boxes is that they're not really repairable. With luck - maybe. Original gasket set is only a temporary solution as the rack starts to leak again after a while. Even factory reconditioned racks can be crap.
The problem is that most of the sealing is done by tight tolerances (metal to metal) and rubber seals are only to help and to keep dirt away.

This all is only what I've heard. No own experience about the problem.

[dan_b]

Originally posted by Vagsport
Dan can replace the rack with one from ANY type 89 car, it is not unique to the S2, though Audi would want you to believe they are by using different part numbers for them. We have fitted one from an Audi 80 16V to a '92 S2 that had been in a bash. ops:

Can I just double check that that is the absoloute gospel truth for a 91 3B S2 with the loathsome Servotronic?

What part numbers are there for a suitable replacement rack?

Should I be bidding on this in that case?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...category=10372

[dan_b]

/\ Bump /\
Could anyone confirm if this rack on ebay would be suitable for the 3B with the dreaded servotronic, albeit I've disconnected that bit?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....;category=10372

[A6 AVANT]

Don't know if anyone in/around Leics has steering probs but we use Regal in Mountsorrel and their prices are pretty reasonable for an overhaul.
We get Escort/Mondeo power racks for about £115 + vat (trade) If anyone needs a number let me know.

[dan_b]

Just paid a visit to Power Steering Services in Greenwich.
They've quoted me £355 + VAT to fit a new rack, supplied by them. That price includes parts and labour. They said they had worked on a couple of S2s in the past, and knew that the earlier ones had servotronic vs the later ones which don't, so I think they know what they're talking about.

That sounds like a decent deal to me? He also said that my leak was not too bad at the moment, but to keep an eye on it.

I think I'll go with these chaps, although Greenwich is a major PITA for me to get to, but I'll need to wait for a budget surplus...

[SteveH]

That's a great price for a rack and fitting