PAS Rack fluid leak

[Ferrit]

Well thats my Italian Day at Brooklands scuppered...  PAS rack is p155ing fluid out.  What do I need to rebuild?  Seal kit, crush washers and bushes?

#whatnext

[peteracs]

Hi Mark

That is bad luck, you will have a new car at the end of this.....

Depends where the fluid is coming from. If out of main body, then yes seal kit, but there are only two takeoffs which need crush washers. I also found the seal kit from Mark had one seal the wrong size, but from memory he also sells the other seal separately. My guess is there are two versions of the rack just to make it interesting. Luckily the missing/wrong size seal was also available widely off the shelf when I rebuilt mine.

Peter

[WestonE]

Hi Mark It could just be split gaiters which are fairly easy to get and can be fitted with the rack in place. If all was operating smoothly then a full rack rebuild can be avoided.

Consider new track rod ends if you get into this. Or at least inspect them for splits in boots and play very carefully. I have re-built 2 of these racks with some comedy moments like pumping ATF out into my face. Others laughed myself less so! Wear safety glasses and be less of an idiot than I was. It is a TRW rack used on some period Audis so there are overhaul people out there.

One of the spare racks I had was supposed to have been overhauled and it was basically rusty junk given the black spray paint treatment so take care with your choice of overhaul specialist.

You will soon have the best Beta on the road!     

[peteracs]

Hi Eric

On the PAS there should be no fluid inside the gaiters?

Peter

[Ferrit]

I have ordered a seal kit, the extra different size seal just in case, and a pair of clamp bushes.  I have already the new gaiters and the inner TCA bushes.  I read somewhere here the insides of the bellows should be dry on a PAS rack.  Friend of Alan's who has done a couple says it can come out through the drivers side hole in the inner wing.  I think my Bank Holiday is planned out already :-)

PS I will check the TCA's

[Nigel]

Bad luck Mark. I was looking forward to seeing your car again.
Hope to see you anyway.

Indeed, the gaiters are dust covers, dry inside.

N.

[Ferrit]

I will be there Nigel, in the van, .... again :-(

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17TUgFxE1D/

[JASPER_40]

Just wanted to chime in to say that I bought the PAS rack seal kit from BB and Mark supplied the extra seal aswell.

The rack was re-built and the extra seal was in fact required.....Rack now working well and dry inside the gaiters.

My only disappointment with the re-build was that the guy sprayed the whole rack black to make it look nicely re-furbished. I had to clean the black paint off.
I suspect that these re-build shops spray the rack to help justify a hefty price. My suggestion would be to expressly tell them to NOT spray it after re-build. wont cost you any less but ....

Also, I pulled the rack out through the hole in the drivers side inner wing...the hole that has the big rubber gaiter through which the steering arm passes. all quite straight forward.


Cheers

Steve