hard start issue+ need steering rack

[Bernie Benz]

Well that’s pretty definite! And I haven’t been in that area for  
quite some time so don’t recall just how far the valve body extends  
thru the fire wall.
Check your rack return line / hose to the reservoir for blockage.  
Maybe disconnect from the reservoir and run into a can.
If not blocked, this seal, from your description, should be leaking  
from reservoir head with or without engine running or steering input.

Bernie


On Jan 23, 2011, at 2:47 PM, PeterBergin at aol.com wrote:

> That's what I hoped, however I can see it bubbling out of the shaft  
> and dripping inside the fire wall.
>   No drips under the car. and everything looks dry. under the hood.
> Thanks, Pete
>
> In a message dated 1/23/2011 4:44:50 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
> b.benz at charter.net writes:
> If the rack’s input shaft seal were leaking (or a hose or hose
> connector to the valve body) the fluid would just run down the rack’s
> valve body and drip to the ground, outside of the fire wall. More
> likely you have a leak in your replacement hydraulic power brake
> booster dripping down onto the steering shaft.
>
> Bernie
>
> On Jan 23, 2011, at 2:27 PM, PeterBergin at aol.com wrote:
>
> > 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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