Steering Rack Leak.

[littlewimp]

Hi all, Ive just had a call from my Garage who I took my 211 into to investigate a steering fluid leak, He has told me that the leak is coming from the Input shaft of the rack ! so im just asking what my options are, repair or replace? he said it seems to be pretty crammed in there, but im presuming it needs removing which ever route I go down, Thanks.

 

[Wighty]

Hi all, Ive just had a call from my Garage who I took my 211 into to investigate a steering fluid leak, He has told me that the leak is coming from the Input shaft of the rack ! so im just asking what my options are, repair or replace? he said it seems to be pretty crammed in there, but im presuming it needs removing which ever route I go down, Thanks.

What did the garage suggest ?

 

[littlewimp]

What did the garage suggest ?

He Told me to ask advice, although im thinking a service exchange rack would be the best option .

 

[Wighty]

He Told me to ask advice, although im thinking a service exchange rack would be the best option .

Might be worth a visit to an MB specialist who knows these cars .

 

[littlewimp]

I've pinpointed the leak, its coming from around the input shaft, after some thought I've decided to send my existing rack off for a overhaul, at least that way I know what im getting back .

 

[DREAMER NO2]

That is the right thing to do ,, I took my car to a specalist that only repairs steering systems ,, left the car at 8 am it was ready at 1 pm .

 

[littlewimp]

Thanks , I would like to view a schematic for the Steering system so that I can order new seals where the pipes from the pump connects to the rack, I've tried contacting my Merc dealers several times but have failed to actually speak to there parts department, i did think it would be easier to hold a séance !

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Changing the seals is a DIY. Rebuilding a rack needs serious equipment & expertise. The rack on some have in total 10 replaceable DIY seals. 6 of them are on the thin lines from the rack to th pinion. The other 4 are at the joint of the rack with the high pressure & return lines. If the leak is from one of those 10 seals, then you are lucky & they can be replaced by yourself.

 

[littlewimp]

Thanks Dreamer NO2, It was just the 2 lines that I need to re connect when the Rack has been refurbed, Im guessing its the flow and return from the pump, I just wanted to get the seals for those as they've been compressed for some 19 years, I will drop into my Merc dealers when im in Cheltenham later in the week and see if I can order them in readiness.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Spot on mate . And i recon your doing the right thing.If only the seals are needed .. I re built one my self years ago ..Austin 3 Litre ..While waiting at the parts conter for a rebuild kit a car like mine , only brand new , was driven out of the show room ,on a test drive ..Parts guy came out, i told him what i wanted ..He looked the repair kit up .But before i was about to pay .,the parts guy said is it like the one goimg out i said yes ..he said well, thats brand new .I said right ,he then said can you see the oil on the floor i said yes. He then said if Austin cant stop the oil leak from new you dont stand a chance .Said do you still want the kit i said yes . But he was right i could not stop the leak it was the seals internaly even after i replace every one in the rack. Bought a second hand one that was not leaking .But once i used it a few time oil showed up low on the stick again . Reason is the oil is held inside the rubber bellows and stays there until you put the steering on to full lock, then oil would leak out on the road on the move thats why i never saw any on the floor after i had parked up...only car i had that leaked PASS fluid / Good luck, i do hope its an easy fix for you.