hard start issue+ need steering rack

[PeterBergin at aol.com]

Bernie, this is a strange one.  Had a leak at the brake booster (lots  of 
green gold under the carpet).  Would usually leak shortly after start up  on 
cold mornings.  Bought a used one from Force 5 and had Anderson Motor  
sports install it (great Audi shop near Minneapolis).  When it would leak,  it 
would empty its self quickly, no puddle under the car and everything under  
the hood dry.
 
Pick up the car and drove for two days and the same symptom again, looked  
under the dash with the motor running and could hear a gurgling noise and 
could  see Pentosin leaking inside the fire wall from the steering shaft.  
Leaked  until reservoir empty and no steering or brakes.  Filled up went for a  
drive, no leak until I started the car the next morning (very cold again).
 
Some one told me the problem might be that I have a not OEM made high  
pressure hose feeding the rack and it did not have the pressure reducer in the  
hose.  Never heard of that before and I have had the hose for at least 5  
years.  Have rebuilt the pump twice, put not for a long time.  Have  gone 
through 6 cans of green gold between the two leaks.
 
I am puzzled,  wonder if I have a problem with the reservoir return  line?
 
Still looking  for answers before I put big $$$ into a rack.   This rack 
was a rebuilt short rack (what ever that means) that I bought from  Blau and 
installed as a preventive measure when I did the clutch at 160k, have  239k 
on the clock now.
 
Any further input would be appreciated.
 
Pete
 
 
In a message dated 1/23/2011 4:11:12 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
b.benz at charter.net writes:

I’m  intrigued that you say that your rack is leaking “at the steering   
column“ input shaft seal! Never seen nor heard of that!
Neither the  input nor output shaft seals of the valve body are under  
pressure,  just reservoir return head pressure.
If you are absolutely certain that  your leak is one of these seals  
and not the high pressure rod seal,  the latter would show fluid at  
the center bellows not the valve  body, I’d add a bit of engine or  
auto tranny snake oil to the PS  reservoir and drive the SOB for 1K  
miles.
Try this first, because  the PITA is the R&R, not the rack overhaul.

I’ve overhauled 3 of  these ZF racks and believe that they are  
absolutely bullet proof  excepting for the hard plastic (read cheap)  
high pressure rod seal.  The last time, redesigning and replacing this  
seal with an  elastomeric quad ring with nylon back up ring.  Going  
strong  after >100K.

Bernie


On Jan 22, 2011, at 6:16 AM,  PeterBergin at aol.com wrote:
>
> PS, any one know where I can get a  good deal on a rebuilt steering  
> rack,
> mine is leaking  at the steering column.
>
>  Pete
>
>

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