1989 100... power steering rack replacement

[Kneale Brownson]

If you've been using regular power steering fluid instead of the hydraulic 
oil Audi specifies, you may end up also needing a new pump and possibly a 
brake pressure accumulator (you'll see it described here as the "bomb"), as 
well as the hoses and their seals connecting the rack and brake 
systems.  There's a possibility your power steering fluid will cause 
problems with the seals in all these elements.   I had trouble with these 
parts after some fool at a fast-fluids-exchange place dumped power steering 
fluid into my '87 5ktq's reservoir before I realized what was going on.

It's also possible you'll escape these problems.

For the rack, you can get a rebuilt on an exchange basis for more or less 
$200.  Check with Jorgen  http://www.jorgenauto.com/ . The installation 
labor may be high, because it's not a pleasant job, but it shouldn't exceed 
twice the cost of the rebuilt rack.

At 10:38 AM 07/13/2001 -0400, Andy Goldberg wrote:

>Audi list newbie here, with a 1989 Audi 100, 110,000 miles.
>
>Just got off the phone with my mechanic, whose opinion and work I respect a
>lot.  I've been noticing for a while, significant leaks of the power
>steering fluid.  I have, for the last 6-8 weeks, filled up the system with
>standard power steering fluid (not Pentosin), because it was bone dry, and I
>hadn't discovered this list yet.
>
>His diagnosis: I need a new power steering rack.  $800, plus labor and
>fluid, total about $1275.
>
>The car still has the original in there now.
>
>Is this what I need?  Any alternatives?  Are rebuilt or replacement parts an
>option?
>
>THANK YOU!
>
>-Andy Goldberg
>andynyc at spacelab.net