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

[Bill Rowe]

Since we're on this topic I have a few questions/concerns.  I have an 87
5ktq w/ 157k miles.  When I first turn the steering wheel in the morning
I get a "groaning" noise which disappears by the time I pull out of my
driveway.  This has been going on for many years but I really haven't
been concerned cuz I'm not leaking any major amounts of pentosin, just a
few drops here and there which I presumed was from the pwr steering
pump.  Is my rack the cause of the groaning noise?  How difficult is it
(time wise) to remove and replace the rack?  What's a rebuilt one go
for?  Thanx.

-----Original Message-----
From: quattro-admin at audifans.com [mailto:quattro-admin at audifans.com] On
Behalf Of Beatty, Robert
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2001 3:09 PM
To: 'Konstantin Bogach'; quattro at audifans.com
Subject: RE: what is causing leak in steering rack? Anybody rebuilt it?

Konstantin,

General concensus on this is to let the pros (jorgen) do it.  Audi
initially
had the techs rebuilding the racks in the field.  The rebuilds never
lasted
though.  I even have the video showing what to replace and how to go
about
doing it, but after talking to my dad (service trainer for AoA from
86-93),
I changed my mind.  He said it never really worked well in the field and
that the main problem was scoring inside the rack which wasnt addressed
by
the rebuild kit.  If you go with the rebuild rack from Jorgen, I believe
theres a warrenty as well.

Rob

-----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