Power steering leak

[Woodsy_is_back 0]

Hi all, as mentioned in the newbie thread I've got my C back on the road after being garages since 2008, brilliant 👍

 

Drove it back and when I pulled up had power steering fluid everywhere, reservoir empty, pump not happy.

 

Have had a look today, one of my gaiters on the steering arm has s split which is the source of the fluid leak.

My other gaiter is good but when I squeeze it I pump air out of the split on the other side gaiter.

 

So I'm presuming it's the steering rack seals that have perished and the fluid leaking from there has found its way out of the split - replace steering rack?

 

Or are the gaiters meant to contain fluid and it's a simple replacement of the gaiter?

 

Any advice most gratefully appreciated

 

Woodsy

 

Great to have it back tho 😎

[Jim Bowen 1]

Gaitars shouldn't have fluid in them. So you're correct and its probably a seal in the rack

[Woodsy_is_back 0]

Thanks Jim, suspected so

 

So next question, are the seals replaceable/ not replaceable/ too much hassle to fix/get 2nd hand rack?

[Jim Bowen 1]

I seem to recall kev haywire talking about it in the past. Something i should consider as my rack is old and high miles now.

[Jim Bowen 1]

Found this in the steering thread

 

1H0 498 020A

yep that part is a 'set of seals for ZF power steering 16v,VR6 (well those cars with a ZF rack obviously)

 

and...

1H0 498 020 set of seals for TRW

(I believe Boost Monkey bought one of these sets of seals from VW last year?)

 

AOF 063 000 04 - 250g steering grease :) (that's an alphabetic 'O' not a zero in AOF)

 

 

Not sure how easy it is to do or if any specific tools are needed

[Woodsy_is_back 0]

Great stuff, thanks Jim