Steering Rack Leaking Again

[Ricky Ellam]

Good morning all, I’m after some advice.
My steering rack is leaking for the 3rd time my original one was replaced with a recon unit in 2023 from Rob sport left over winter and just topped it up over the summer. Turns out the boots were full which looked like it was the seals . Unfortunately it was 15 months so it was out of warranty.
I then removed it again last August and took it to a specialist in Thurrock Essex for another rebuild.
it’d been fine but just checked in it the weekend and the reservoir is empty (dry) so I’m guessing the boots are full again.
as anyone know about this as an issue and what the solution might be as it’s getting frustrating and expensive.

many thanks for any suggestions

[sujitroy]

I've rebuilt a few racks. I'm in the process of putting an article together for my local club here in USA. The shaft in the rack wears. The 2 shaft seals are ok for good shafts but better seals are available for sub par shafts. those 2 better seals can cost most than a repair kit. Also, a backing ring not supplied in the repair wears. This put more strain on the rack shaft seal.

[Ian F]

I was talking to a prospective Stag buyer the other day about this; How many racks had I fitted in the 18 years I’d owned it?

3 is the number, the first after approx 12 months of ownership, 1st MOT failure…… replaced it with a new Recon. rack, which lasted guess……..just 12 months again, and started leaking P. S. Fluid!

Tried again, the next one lasted a little longer, circa 18 months and started leaking yet again, constantly needed topping up and leaking on right hand lock…….so again looking for rack number 3!

This time I bought via L D Parts, and Peter at LD tests all parts he sells, before he sells them, on his own Stag - so truly tried and tested!
I also believe that LD insist that not only are the PAS seals renewed, but the bore itself tends to be machined and re-sleeved so as to avoid any hairline scratches that may damage those precious new seals. Suffice to say that was rack no 3, and it’s (Touch wood! ) still on the car and eminently serviceable.

So, ensure the rack is re-sleeved and reconditioned in full, not simply seals replaced, it should then last at least as long as the original, however long that may be nowadays? Hope this hslips.

ian F

[Chix]

I've just bought a reconditioned rack from M & P steering on sujitroy's advice, looking to fit it over the weekend and get mine of back to them in exchange.

Like you, mine was leaking into the boots!

I'll let you know how it goes!

[jbuckl]

Hardly any racks are rebuilt with a grind-chrome-grind on the actual rack….. that’s what it takes.

It adds significant cost.

phone around, ask if they can offer that….. possibly kiley-Clinton Birmingham might do.

be prepared to pay the extra… even if it’s a bit of a shock.

ask for a longer warranty .

[Ricky Ellam]

Thanks for the advice all

[Woolly]

Hardly any racks are rebuilt with a grind-chrome-grind on the actual rack….. that’s what it takes.

It adds significant cost.

phone around, ask if they can offer that….. possibly kiley-Clinton Birmingham might do.

be prepared to pay the extra… even if it’s a bit of a shock.

ask for a longer warranty .

I’m on rack No 3 in 5 years and the rack were recond by a well known specialist, so would be very interested in something better than the run of the mill reconditioned unit.

Someone said to me I should accept it as a consumable! To be fair they are reconditioning a 50 year old product that may well have been recon’d several times in its working life. Put in rubbish then you are going to get rubbish out..

To answer my ignorance, what’s grind-chrome-grind on the actual rack mean?

[sujitroy]

Two folks in USA sent their racks to M&P. A buddy of mine in uk spoke to M&P on my behalf. They can supply me with a good rack shaft. My rack shaft is scratched.

[wilf]

I have an M&P recon rack, all good after 4 years.

[MandM]

I have an M&P recon rack, all good after 4 years.

not mine

[wilf]

Looks to be luck of the draw then.