what is causing leak in steering rack? Anybody rebuilt it?

[superba]

Hi,

Most Audi dealers won't rebuild because the results are too iffy and the
customer keeps returning to get the rack fixed;  it is too costly in the
long run.  The pressures are high and the tolerances too tight for most
rebuilders amateur or pro.  I had a well equipped dealer rebuild a rack for
me and after several returns to stop the leaks, the service manager agreed
to eat the rebuilding charges and apply them to a factory rebuilt rack.

Your experiences may vary....

Jim Jordan

-------Konstantin Bogach wrote------------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Konstantin Bogach [mailto:konstantin.bogach at morganstanley.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 2:19 PM
To: quattro at audifans.com
Subject: what is causing leak in steering rack? Anybody rebuilt it?

Hi listers.

What is the main reason for steering rack leak?
How difficult to rebuild it by myself?  Do I need special tools to do
that? Does it make sense to do it by myself rather to send it to Jorgen?

I have wierd problem:
There is no leak in the rack (small leak in high pressure hose though).
After changing high pressure hose from pump to bomb (rebuild by
Aeroequip dealer) and bleeding the system power assist was lost.  There
is little assist when turning to left and no assist when turning to
right.  Brakes have power assist.  Pump gives 2100 psi max - in spec.

I already removed the rack. Now I am staring at it and scratching head:
what to do? A tech from Jorgen was very nice talking to me 10min but he
said that sympthoms are not common and it is hard to imagine the cause.

I don't know whether or when the rack was changed. Let's imagine that I
found a piece of rubber stuck in the valve which caused the problme and
I fixed it: does it make sense to rebuild the rack if it does not have a
leak but is out of car?

Thank you.

Konstantin Bogach
200tq '89
200tqa '89