BC

I have this thing with my ego that says I can do nearly anything related to this car and many others. I have built engines successfully, probably rebuilt a trans successfully, and have done sub systems repeatedly, including the dreaded TT rebuild - but I can't seem to get the damn racks to seal properly with the parts that are available to me. I have wasted nearly 160 dollars now on rack seal kits and other crap to get my one of my racks to seal properly. I even polished the damn main shaft.

I will be sending this resealed rack into 928intl and getting one of their rebuilds for the 400 dollars they charge, and I will be freaking happy with it. Since this a hobby, and I don't like doing parts of the hobby I don't like, I will not be doing this anymore. I'm going to need two in the next while coming up and I think I will just buy rebuilds for both.

I wonder if Jim will just get me one without the bushings though. I don't need those as I have the hard bushings from Carl.

Lizard928

where are they leaking from? it is basically a hydraulic system and couldnt see it being that hard to get to seal

IcemanG17

Brendan
Other guys have done the rebuild it yourself rack before with good results...but of course I can't remember (shocker) who did it?

$90 for a seal kit is quite a bit cheaper than $400 for a rebuilt.....but that rebuilt also has a warranty! I'll need to do mine in the not so distant future.....prolly take the $400 route

Mike Frye

Brendan,

I rebuilt mine recently and had good results, but it wasn't leaking very much at all beforehand. Honestly, I don't think I'd do it again. It was a major PITA, took me many hours to get it cleaned up, rebuilt, reassembled, replace the tie rods and boots then get it back in.

Even without rebuilding the rack replacing one is a messy, time consuming chore, adding the intricacy of the rebuild into the middle of the job just dragged it out. If 3-4 hours of your time is worth more to you than the difference between the cost of a kit vs. rebuilt rack, then get it done by the professionals. The warranty is definitely key too.

PS- I know what you mean about the ego thing though. That's part of why I did mine. You should take pride in the engines you've rebuilt, and the tranny you probably (?) rebuilt correctly. The rack you had trouble with was probably beyond repair using the parts you had and no amount of skill or care on your part would have done any good without some experience as a rebuilder and special parts/tools.

Angel84-928

I bought the rebuild kit and started down that road but you're right, what a PITA!! I instead gave the seal kit to another Rennlister and put my rack back together for use as a core. Not worth the efforts as a DIY IMHO.

JP Rodkey

You're being too hard on yourself. I, too, have rebuilt just about everything (including automatic and manual transmissions). There really isn't anything I won't tear into. Hydraulics can present problems because of wear of the actuator where it needs to seal - along the entire operational length. Even a minor deviation will allow for a leak when you consider a rapidly moving actuator rod moving under high pressure as opposed to a seal for a rotating shaft. Polishing a crank will work more often than not because it's rotating instead of rapid fore and aft movement.

The key is to be able to test the system. Rebuilders will usually have a fixture and put the rack through the paces. If it leaks, they can swap actuators or otherwise fix the problem. That's pretty tough for homies. Home rebuild usually means you won't find that out until after all the labor and final install. IMO, a steering rack is not a great candidate for home rebuild because it's just too much labor, time, and effort for something you can't know worked until it's too late.

BC

The one was for some reason so stiff when I put it together, I broke on of the sealing rings on the spool valve, so I have to buy a third kit. I was looking at 928intl rack prices, 395, and tyhe fact that it would be tested, etc, and put together properly, and the fact that I was supposed to have this car running by August 3, and I have been fitzing with the rack for a week.

I'm probably going to be going uo towards Jim and Mark anyway on Monday, so I thought I would bring some cash and just get it done.

Podguy

I had no problem with the 85 when it was leaking for the right side. If the rack is leaking on only one side - common - then it can be repaired while in the car.

As far as a big job, it is a lot easier than changing an automatic transmission.
I also got a kit for less than $80 and used only two parts from the kit. The seals seam to be a common part number so if you are not getting into the pinion part and just replacing the end seals - the most common source of leaks then you can probably source the parts for under $10.

Dan the Pod Guy