Power steering rack rebuild

[Staghound]

Having purchased a re-con kit and taken the whole thing apart,I now need to know how to place the PTFE rings on the barrel that has 4 of them around it.Is there a special tool or will they stretch and shrink to fit?

Any advise on the subject is most welcome.

Thanks Andrew.

[john 4d]

Andrew,
First ask yourself are the PTFE rings you intend replacing really worn out? Or are you replacing them Like I did because they are part of a new set therefore should be changed? Don't ask me how you can tell if the originals are worn, I couldn't tell you. With hind sight I would have left them alone.
I made up a thin sheet steel conical sleeve with the OD at one end greater than the OD of the shaft the ring grooves are in, the other end having an OD smaller than the ID of the new rings. The longer you make the tapered sleeve the better. It worked. The rings as you said did stretch, they have to, so I guess as thankfully my power steering works fine, they must have shrunk back into place when slid back into the outer sleeve of the assembly.
But I will say this, obviously the original method of assembly was a much more precise and thought out method and I thought that after my replacement attempt the new rings looked much the worse for suitability of purpose than the originals I removed. So I repeat in my opinion I'd leave them alone.
John4d

[flying farmer]

I was faced with the same dilema when I rebuilt the leaky rack on my Stag powered estate, replacing the rings looked like a mess waiting to happen so I replaced all the other seals and left well alone. All has been well since
Neil

[Staghound]

Thanks guys,I'll have another look an'see if I can get away with out the ball ache of the job!

Andrew.

[SwissSteve]

Have you thought about make some pictures and to submit your good work to the "how to do it" section.
There currently is no info there on this topic and it would help others like myself who are trying to make
The decision to do it myself or buy a reconditioned one

how difficult is this job you are currently doing?
Are there any special tools needed?

[Staghound]

This job has been the most fiddly so far,the 4 fiber-reinforced ptfe seals were a pain to fit and needed to be physically shrunk back on by placing the newly replaced rings back into their housing the rest of it was mostly a case of replacing O rings and tab washers whilst ensuring clenliness was observed....won't know if it works 'till I get an engine that goes!!

Andrew.

[john 4d]

Andrew,
You just had to do it didn't you! Maddening, I know, I was in the same dilemma. Congrats on finishing the job, don't worry it will work, just don't insert the spool shaft 180 deg out of position like I did, and a year or so down the line with an engine that goes, finding it won't.
John4D

[Staghound]

It certainly was a challenge,a lot of deliberation went on when re-assembly took place,fingers crossed our guesses are correct!