power steering rack rebuilds....

[Beatty, Robert]

The leaks your talking about from the pinion are the same ones Audi says NOT
to rebuild with the seal kit.  If the rack is leaking from the boot area,
then the rebuild is a viable option.  Im going to price the tool and the
kits and if enough people are interested I'll do a few for them.  In
addition to the location of the leak, there is also a number stamped into
the body of the rack near the pinion that tells if the rack has a floating
seal.  If it does, it cant be rebuilt with this kit.

I'm going to call the wife this morning and have her get me the # to the
special tool and I'll also research the seal kit for cost.  Ideally I'd like
to do this significantly cheaper than buying a rebuilt rack from someone,
have to see how things go however.

Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: james accordino [mailto:ssgacc at yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, July 27, 2001 5:05 AM
To: Beatty, Robert
Cc: audi list
Subject: Re: power steering rack rebuilds....


--- "Beatty, Robert" <BeattyR at ummhc.org> wrote:
> Guys,
> 
> Finally managed to watch the service training tape
> of resealing a power
> steering rack.  Its actually quite easy and im
> considering getting the
> special tool and doing some rebuilds for people,
> kinda like Russ does for
> the bombs.  Called a dealer and spoke to parts, they
> dont list a a full
> rebuild kit for the rack.  Does anyone remember
> these kits and if anyone
> else may have them?  I suppose with some research i
> could just find the
> correct oring size and buy them in bulk or
> something.  Also could someone
> look it up in EKTA for me just to double check its
> availablity?
> 
The kit is readily available.  The special tapered
tool to install the high pressure seal IS needed.  I
tried 2 and they both leaked at that seal.  Also
apparently racks run dirty or on incorrect fluid allow
the really hard plastic o-rings on the pinion itself
to cut the alloy pinion housing.  Hence the stainless
sleeves pushed by Jorgen.  You could get a machine
shop to fabricate some for you and use the heat/freeze
method to fit them.  You would need a jig to assure
correct placement however.  On 3 that I have
disassembled the pinion housing was neither cut or
egged.  YMMV.

Jim Accordino