Exigent

Discovered a small leak from steering rack, dealer says all they can do is replace the rack. Anyone familiar with other options? Can it be resealed for example? Is it difficult to remove from the car yourself?

Not severe yet but trying to understand my choices before it is.

flowbe

I also had mine replaced at 140K km's .
Don't think they can fix it , only replace it .

Tedster

There may be remanufactured racks available for 20-40% less than new with a similar warranty. I got a reman for my Audi S4 two years ago and it still works great.

Macster

There may be a cottage shop/industry that repairs/rebuild these racks but I've not come across any.

The racks fail so seldom...

One thing to consider is the rack leaks because -- at least in some models -- because a pressure relief valve in the power steering pump line fails and lets the rack see full pressure.

This forces fluid from around the rack's seals and into the dust boots at each end of the rack. Often these boots do not leak but instead fill up with fluid then leak. (I heard one 'pop' from pressure when the tech removed one from the rack.) But by this time the damage has been done.

If this happens this ruins the rack, but can also ruin the power steering pump because the fluid level gets too low. So, the repair requires a new rack, a new power steering pump, and of course the line with the pressure valve.

So, one wants to be sure the rack leak is just a plain old leak and not due to a failed pressure relief valve.

Sincerely,

Macster.