type 44 steering rack replacement

[Kneale Brownson]

Get to the lines from above.  Do one at a time so you don't plug them into
the wrong places.   Lots of postings in the archives about replacing them.
Best tricks I've seen:  Use long extensions and go at the hose bolts from
the passenger wheelwell;  and wind some thread around the bolt so you can
pull on it to turn the bolt back into the rack while holding a little
finger pressure on it.  

The racket could be from the high pressure hose.

At 11:25 AM 6/20/2005 -0600, Keith Lawyer wrote:
>No, it could just be a line.  But I get quite a racket when turning the 
>wheel, lots of moaning and groaning which I assume is from the 
>rack.............seems only other thing that might cause such symptoms would 
>be upper strut bearings?  I suppose I could figure it out by turning the 
>wheel w the motor off?
>
>So between the noise and the high mileage I figure this rack is due
regardless?
>
>However this brings up a point I've been wondering about:  is it best to get 
>at the lines from the engine compartment or under the car?
>
>Keith L
>
>>>> Kneale Brownson <kneale at coslink.net> 6/20/2005 11:21:34 AM >>>
>Do you know the leak is in the rack itself?  I've had two hoses to the rack
>go bad and leak and, once repaired, there was no leak at the rack.
>
>Best source for proper O rings probably is the dealer.
>
>At 10:52 AM 6/20/2005 -0600, Keith Lawyer wrote:
>>at 275k miles my 200 is losing liquid gold - aka Pentosin - at an alarming 
>>rate.  But the Pentosin smoke cloud that forms at a stop is kinda cool :)  
>>and breathing it doesn't seem to create any 
>>aaaaaaaaadddddddddvvvvvvveeeeeeeerrrrrrsssssssseeeeeeeee  effects - really!!
>>
>>I found the write-up in the KB
>>http://www.audifans.com/twiki/bin/view/Audi/SteeringRackReplacement 
>>
>>which is certainly helpful.  I also found Jorgensen Auto online and will 
>>probably order the rack thru them unless anyone says otherwise.
>>
>>My primary concern is: source for everything else I need?  Suggestions for 
>>best source for the "sealing washers," replacement hoses (I imagine all my 
>>hydraulic hoses are quite soft at this point) at the rack and the tie rod 
>>lock plate?  Just call up TPC?  Or?  
>>
>>Does a rebuilt rack likely come w washers or anything, or is it generally 
>>_just_ the rack?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>Keith L
>>"Pentosin cloud gud!"