Hi everyone,
I have got quite a bad leak coming from the steering rack. I think it's where the steering column goes into the rack. The reservoir will empty in about 2 to 3 days and an obvious pool of red oil is left on the road whenever it's left for any length of time!
I would like to know if anyone has changed a rack and if there are any tips to be shared . Access looks dreadful, as usual!
I can see 2 bolts on the bottom half of the rack, are there another 2 directly above them? i.e. 4 bolts holding it to the bulkhead? If so, how to get to them?! Once unbolted and the column released will it slide out the side via the wheel arch? What about the hydraulic pipework?
I then need to either fix the rack or replace it. Is it serviceable and are parts available to the home mechanic?
I guess it is easier to just replace the rack with a known good one, is the rack on the petrol models the same (to widen my potential donors!)?
I also have a weeping pump so will do that at the same time. I have removed that before (looks much easier!) so am happy to proceed with that but, again, same question as previous, is the pump on other models the same? What about the R21 (Savanna) too?
It's a RHD U.K. model Mk2 1994 (L reg) 2.1L diesel manual gearbox.
Any help is very much appreciated!
Thanks,
Graham