Power steering rack rebuild.

[dbo550]

My rack is leaking like a sieve. Does anybody know the most cost effective way to fix it. Is there a place that you guys would recommend to rebuild it? Can it be done by me, I don't see any seal kits out there? Or is there a place that has a good used one?
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1985 Westy
2001 Audi Allroad
1999 Volvo v70 xc
1995 Volvo T5-R, Yellow
1998 Jetta GLX

[deprivation]

Go Westy still sells the reseal kits - they're not listed online but they do have them. Part # 251-498-020.

So does CIP1
http://www.cip1.ca/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-251-498-020.

Somewhere on The Samba, someone did a great write-up about a rack R&R, but I'll be damned if I can find it.
_________________
1986 Westy 2WD auto a.k.a. "The Old Girl"
www.kittenfart.com

[izzydog]

Its a dirty job just putting a rack in - I'm glad I didn't have to rebuild it myself on top of that. My rack lasted 21 years so I was happy about just getting a new one in there and paying a few extra bucks. If you did the rebuild wrong and had to pull the whole thing out again - that would be a bummer indeed.

I understand about the saving the $$$ for other stuff, though.


Jeff

[Captain Pike]

The "search" reveals this
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259700
You will save $225
_________________
LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current.......................

[dbo550]

[dbo550]

I did a search on ebay and came across a pretty good deal. But in the listing it says that rack fits an infinti zx4 97-00 and the pathfinder 96-00. Is that true? Anybody have any knowledge of this? If this is true my local pull a part is full of those things.
_________________
1985 Westy
2001 Audi Allroad
1999 Volvo v70 xc
1995 Volvo T5-R, Yellow
1998 Jetta GLX

[davideric9]

Just found this JP Group power steering rack RE-SEAL kit, on sale at AutoHausAZ for $19
P/N: 1144350610 JP Group Dansk

_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[ALIKA T3]

[Sodo]

JP group is both a blessing and a curse.

In the past, this item has been available, and 'they say' it fits.
Samba member FrankenSubySyncro told me that he installed it using Alika's rack rebuild instructions (on theSamba)

I bought one, it was about $16 or so.
I still have it, didn't install it.
People say that Vanagon steering racks don't rebuild very well.
I don't know anything about the problems, or if its exacerbated by poor quality replacement seal kits.


Then I bought a whole new rack from GoWesty.
It could be a "JP Group" rack.
I can report that it's been good for 2,300 miles so far.
I also bought new rack boots.

And then I made some deal with Alika and he sent me a pair of Alika Motorsports silicone rack boots.👍🏽
So now I have everything to repair/rebuild a spare rack if the JP group unit gives me trouble.

I did not find rack removal/installation to be difficult.
You have to know how to get the tie-rod-end ball joints off without fooking things up.

One good thing about a previous rack that leaks like a sieve, your system has been flushed and is clean.
Total loss flushing is not the best for the environment, if your remaining PS fluid looks clean and clear, you may not have to waste any more resources.
Now is a good time to get a new power steering filter in-hand and ready. Maybe Napa has them?
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[davideric9]

Alikat3, I'm sorry I don't know what pile of crap I stepped in. can you tell me (us) what the problem is and a constructive solution? thanks.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[Van den Broke]

Can the power steering rack simply be replaced with a manual rack?
The steel tubing running from my power steering pump to the rack and back is very rusty and sprang a leak.
I realize that I would have to put in an idler or other accomodation if the PS pump be removed.

[jlrftype7]

[ALIKA T3]

[Wildthings]

FWIW, my rack started leaking maybe 20 years ago (maybe 150-200K miles on the clock) and by 15 years ago I was having to add fluid every 1000 miles or so. At some point the only fluid I had around had an antileak additive in it and the rack has been dry ever since using it. It took me a while to realize I was not having to add fluid anymore as I was not expecting the leak to stop. Don't remember the brand of ATF or how many times I might have added it.

[greebly]