power steering help

[denni]

hi i have a mk4 gti 1999 reg. heard some funny grinding noises this morning so checked the power steering fluid which was empty, so filled it back up but is just dripping out of the driver side boot. there is a small split in the boot. is it just the split in the boot that is the problem or have the seals gone in it? any help will be great to get me out of this sticky situation.

[Steve_PD]

Seals are gone, need a refurb/new rack.

You can get refurbed racks for under £150 + your old rack.

[denni]

Seals are gone, need a refurb/new rack.

You can get refurbed racks for under £150 + your old rack.

i thought as much,  so its not just a boot i need then. as there is a split in it. how hard are they to swap over? is it a simple job?

[houston]

if it was a small leak you could have tried a seal rejuvenator, just a fluid that swells the seals, but if its a bad leak then the hardest bit of doing the rack on these cars is paying for it!

but go to a motor factors and try the leak stop fluid first, worth a shot if its gonna save you money

[denni]

if it was a small leak you could have tried a seal rejuvenator, just a fluid that swells the seals, but if its a bad leak then the hardest bit of doing the rack on these cars is paying for it!

but go to a motor factors and try the leak stop fluid first, worth a shot if its gonna save you money

its pissing out now  just all puddled on the floor. does anyone know if there are any guides on here for removing/ replacing them? cheers for the replys

[Steve_PD]

Not sure on a guide but you either have to drop the subframe and bolt the new rack on and bolt the subframe back up or you lower the subframe enough to get the rack out through the wheel arch and back in.

I done mine 3 years ago it took about 4 hours with plenty of coffee and swearing breaks Total cost was £130

[rsgolf]

i had to change my rack recently as i had the same problem.i dropped the subframe as i find you get better access to the rack.cost me 140 plus vat for a rack no labour costs as done it myself.

[denni]

Not sure on a guide but you either have to drop the subframe and bolt the new rack on and bolt the subframe back up or you lower the subframe enough to get the rack out through the wheel arch and back in.

I done mine 3 years ago it took about 4 hours with plenty of coffee and swearing breaks Total cost was £130

cheers for the advice. think i will give it a go myself. gonna see if i can change the arb to an audi tt one while im at it. im guessing its just a bolt off bolt on jobby? did you do urs on a ramp? or u do it off jack?

[denni]

i had to change my rack recently as i had the same problem.i dropped the subframe as i find you get better access to the rack.cost me 140 plus vat for a rack no labour costs as done it myself.

how hard was it to swap them over?

[rsgolf]

wasnt that bad its the first one ive done.i locked the steering wheel,removed the bolt at the bottom of the column inside the car.took off both front wheels.removed track rod ends from hubs,removed anti roll bar links bolts at lower arms,removed lower ball joints,under bonnet i had to remove hose clip for pipe at power steering resevoir as this pipe connects to the rack,remove rack pipe behind gearbox,support subframe and remove four bolts that hold it into place.once on ground it is easier access to replace rack.i had to take out cv joints from hubs to get subframe back into place.i did mine on a two poster ramp at work made it a lot easier than lying on my back