Steering Rack Failed? - Video

[JTSD5]

Originally Posted by Mwaite1985

Cleaning out the reservoir bottle is important, more so when you are getting no circulation in the reservoir.

There is a filter in there.

I’ll know if its made a difference today.

Not heard of doing that, how do you clean it, just flush through with water?

Do you have the same 'pulsing' in the steering?

[JTSD5]

Originally Posted by John97Tdi

That looks like its had a very small leak for some time. I'd be tempted to get a new belt,clean everything up and put new fluid in with some leak seal - but keep a close eye on it and be prepared to change the pump. I wasn't a great fan of leak seals until on my last car ( at about 145K)I noticed a slight leak from the rack - put some lucas stop leak in, and the rack lasted another 100K before I had to change it.

Thanks, pretty much what I ended up doing. Gave it 3 or 4 flushes through, going to pick another litre up for a final flush after driving it for a day or 2. Will get some stop leak stuff at the same time.

Have to say, noticed no difference atall so far with the fresh fluid, unfortunately.

[Tentontimmy]

I have same car as you, same year.

I too have the dreaded steering pulse. Two thoughts, for what they are worth:

1. The pulsing hasn't got any worse in the 4 years I have owned the car. It's not an MOT failure and I have just learned to live with it. That said, I can understand why some people can't live with it and would want it sorting.

2. I have done loads of research which all pointed to the facts that:

- it's an internal seal that's at fault; and

- Kiley Clinton Engineering in Birmingham seem to be recommended for rack refurbishment.

[JTSD5]

Originally Posted by Tentontimmy

I have same car as you, same year.

I too have the dreaded steering pulse. Two thoughts, for what they are worth:

1. The pulsing hasn't got any worse in the 4 years I have owned the car. It's not an MOT failure and I have just learned to live with it. That said, I can understand why some people can't live with it and would want it sorting.

2. I have done loads of research which all pointed to the facts that:

- it's an internal seal that's at fault; and

- Kiley Clinton Engineering in Birmingham seem to be recommended for rack refurbishment.

Cheers for that. I've done a fair bit of research myself and yep, looks like the only outcome is the rack itself.

To be honest the pulsing doesn't bother me that much, and if it doesn't get worse then I'll live with it. It's the bumpy/harsh ride over small bumps in the road, which could be down to tyres, bushes, suspension, alignment etc. Just not sure wether to start spending and replacing those parts when it could possibly be the rack causing it.

I'd love to do some polybushing, get some Bilstein B4's, Eibach springs etc.. Just think it would make sense to do the rack first.

Thanks for the recommendation for refurbished racks, might have to get in touch.

[stuart bowes]

the polybushes will make the ride even harsher (arguably better though depending on your preferences)

I did mine and also put in new springs and shocks (albeit not bilstein but I can't see it making that much difference), new top mounts etc etc

it's still crashy over bumps but I prefer a stiff car anyway so I just put up with it and learn to avoid potholes as much as I can

worth noting perhaps I do also have my tyres pumped up to 36 for better economy and I also have the subframe bush stiffeners which I'm thinking of removing