hard start issue+ need steering rack

[Bernie Benz]

Reading back on your symptoms, sounds like it only leaks when very  
cold. And maybe leaks down a little over nite. If the latter,  
probably not the rack return line.
Buy a gallon of much cheaper tractor hydraulic fluid for use until  
you resolve the problem, I’ve been using it in my PS for 10 years  
now. Put a full bottle of engine or AT stop leak in the fluid, might  
restore that seal. Do when hot and not leaking. Nothing to loose!

Bernie

On Jan 23, 2011, at 4:30 PM, PeterBergin at aol.com wrote:

> It may be, I will check it tomorrow.  I know when I have shut the  
> car off after a drive and checked the level, than checked after it  
> sat overnight the reservoir was about 1/2 lower.  I assumed it was  
> due to fluid contraction after going to below zero.
>
> Thanks again Bernie,
> Pete
>
> In a message dated 1/23/2011 5:16:56 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
> b.benz at charter.net writes:
> 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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