Advice needed on type 44 steering rack.

["James A. Desveaux" <desveaux@ucla.edu>]

I suspect this is a timely post, given that two listers, Huv Powell and
someone else, just bought or replaced steering racks.

Here's my situation.  I was over at Precision Motor Sport on THursday.
While Bob Hoffman greased the infamous driveshaft U-joint (the only grease
fitting on the whole car), he noticed some mineral oil wetness, and so did
I.  I thought this might be from having recently replaced both the high
pressure hose and the bomb.  He sprayed the area with brakekleen.  HOwever,
the rack bellows seemed fine, and when you squeeze them, there's no hint of
fluid sloshing around in there.  Since then, the reservoir level has gone
down a couple of inches, and I put some pentosin in this morning.  At
superbowl halftime, I got in there to make sure I'd properly tightened the
banjo bolt for the high pressure hose.  I also put a mirror down there and
with a flashlight determined that the banjo fitting is tight and isn't
leaking.  However, there was fluid residue underneath and a bit behind the
valve housing part of the rack.  Years ago I replaced a rack on my type 43
5000S, and the leak was at the rack and NOT the valve housing or pinion
area.  Have any of you had experiences where the leak is at the valve
housing where it's nearly impossible to see?

Second question: Does Jorgen or others sell rebuilt racks with the valve
housing included?  In other words, is it a straight swap (undo the steering
column bolt, the bolts on the sides of the rack, and the two big ones ih the
center for the tie rods, plus the banjos) and stick in the new rack?

Finally, and I realize this is repetitive, but the qlist consensus seems to
be that Jorgen is the best choice on rebuilt racks.  Bob says he buys
exchange units through ZF or their distributor.  Any cheerleaders for one or
the other choice?

TIA.

- Jim