T25 Steering Rack

[ben_moore34]

Hello

I've been asked by my dad to try to track down a steering rack for his LHD T25 1990 Westfalia. It has power steering and the rack is leaking oil apparently. He is saying that the seals have gone & it needs a new rack.
Anyone know if these are easy to get hold of if so where from?

Many thanks in advance.

Cheers

BM

[R0B]

the wanted forum or german ebay.you could try cj at http://www.syncrospares.co.uk/

[big red bus]

Got one here but currently still fitted to a westy atlantic that I am breaking. Untested but has no leaks and no play. Let me know if any good, Thanks,
Dan.

[ben_moore34]

Many thanks for the replies

Dan - He sounds interested in the one you have there. Where about in the West Midlands are you? We are in Hinckley Leicestershire? Any idea of what you'd accept for it?

I'll give the guy at Synchrospares a go & see if he has one too


Cheers guys

Ben

[Aidan]

new from vw-classicparts.de about £1200 plus vat and shipping
there's a company in Bristol Western Power Transmissions who can refurbish rack if it's repairable, but parts availability from ZF is poor

[big red bus]

Hello, not to sure at the moment but will try to get van up in the air so can make sure it is in good condition. It looks it as have had a quick look and see no reason as to why it shouldn't be. I am in Dudley West Midlands Dy2 9pr if you want to check distance. You are more than welcome to come and have a look your selves if your not too far and can have a chat. Will defo not be after silly money just need to recoup money to go towards my van. Thanks,
Dan.

[ben_moore34]

Thanks for the replies guys

Dan - if you could PM me your number I'll get my dad to give you a call (maybe tomorrow?) so that you can chat about it if that's ok with you? Dudley isn't too far away for him to come and have a look.

Cheers

Ben

[big red bus]

Hello again, have PM contact details,
Thanks,
Dan.

[skeeb]

I make power steering gears (racks)for a living. (Process Engineer for TRW Steering systems LTD)

When u say the seals have gone - can you be more specific?
It could be the feed or return pipe ports (which would mean that the gear itself is perfectly fine - it would just need a new seal for feed/return pipes).

It could also be leaking from the valve torsion bar 'O' ring seal. or the top seal that seals the valve input shaft. Or the bottom pinion seal, or the lockstop end seal or the 'snout' end seal.. -- any of these would require a gear stripdown and new seal fitted - not a big job if you got the right tools and new parts and know what you are doing - basically would be a specialist job. It also maybe leaking from the transfer pipes - i doubt that tho, unless they are corroded.

Oh - if it is leaking from the valve torsion bar 'O' ring seal - then the valve would need removal and the 'O' ring seal replaced - this would definitely be a job for someone who knows what they doing as the valve would need removing and 'de-pinning' - and re-pinning a valve after replacing the 'O' ring can affect its balance/functional performance in the gear.

If it is leaking from the bellows then it would be leaking from the lockstop seal or snout seal - depending on which side.

For all the above - an experienced person would replace all the seals in about an hour if the gear was out of the van and on an assembly bench (specialist tools required) - i know this cos i've done it more times than i care to remember...

However, if the surface of the rack has been 'scored' by oil contaminants then replacing seals would not cure the problem - maybe temporarily fix the problem until it wears the seals again.. If the rack has been scored, then a new/recondioned rack (not an entire gear) would be required.

All things considered - i would go for taking the gear to a specialist for repair rather than buying a second hand one. it would be cheaper... - if its not then you are being ripped off !!!

Lastly - for anyone with hydraulic power steering (whether it be electric pump or belt driven pump) - if you have to top up with power steering fluid --- only use new fluid and make sure it dont get contaminted when filling the resevoir !!! the seals in a power steering can get damaged very easily with the smallest of contaminants...

If you need any more info - let me know....

BTW - I have never actually worked on a T3 PAS gear - but trust me - the principles are the same..

Rgds
Skeeb