Steering rack: is it possible to test the leak tightness on the work bench?

[Klaus Schlueter]

Hi all
I have a spare steering rack which I bought in England years ago via a friend of mine. The seller claimed that the unit had been refurbished. I can believe it or not. So my question is:
is it possible to test the leakage tightness on the work bench? Has anyone experience with this idea? I have a spare steering pump which could be used with some bricolage. Or compressed air could be aplied onto the oil filled pipe/hose system? Or a manual pressure pump?
The problem which I see is the fact that no resistance of the wheels is acting at the two ends of the rack i.e. no pressure is needed.

Any ideas/experiences which we could discuss here?
Klaus

[new to this]

Klaus

i dont know, but would hope some one may come up with some ideas,at the moment im tiring to see if i can fit power steering to a dolomite

Dave

[dasadrew]

Maybe just take it to a steering rack company and ask them to put pressure and resistance loads on it to see if it leaks. Might cost a nominal amount, but probably cheaper than building a Stag Test Bench yourself?

Here's one in Munich: http://www.beissbarth.de

Drew

[GDPR]

Klaus

i dont know, but would hope some one may come up with some ideas,at the moment im tiring to see if i can fit power steering to a dolomite

Dave

Corsa B Dave - compact EPAS unit you could fit in the lower steering column, and retain the standard Dolomite rack

[Klaus Schlueter]

Many thanks Drew, I'll contact Beissbarth. Bought ZF-spareparts from B. when I changed the autobox oil three years ago. Good company.

Any further thoughts?

Klaus

[dasadrew]

Only that your Stoneleigh bits are with Martina now. She's at home next week but I'm in the hamster wheel again!

[Klaus Schlueter]

Many thanks Drew, will contact Martina. How was the ride with the new old one?

Klaus

[new to this]

Corsa B Dave - compact EPAS unit you could fit in the lower steering column, and retain the standard Dolomite rack

Russ

Whats a corsa B ?

Dave

[Klaus Schlueter]

new to this Klaus

i dont know, but would hope some one may come up with some ideas

Dave

I did hope that aswell Dave. No ideas? Where are all the tech-ni-cians?

Klaus

[72BLUE]

Stick 'Corsa B' into Google, it is the second incarnation of the Vauxhall Corsa...................

Keith

[GDPR]

I did hope tha aswel Davel. No ideas? Where are all the tech-ni-cians?

Klaus

You could use the Electric PAS pump from an old Merc A class or similar, but you'd have to get some hoses made with metric and imperial fittings to marry the rack to the pump. Or if you have a small lathe you could use that to drive the Stag PAS pump and use your existing hoses.

As for a load, you could use some heavy weights hung vertically and use pulleys and rope to connect to the rack track rods


IMG_2613.jpg

[Klaus Schlueter]

Many thanks Russ. That's what I meant-creative technical ideas.
Yes I have a lathe and the end weights shouldn't be a problem.

Klaus

[GDPR]

Glad to be of help - good luck Klaus