Power steering fluid leak.

[eric]

Hello everyone,
Over the last couple of weeks I have had to periodically top-up the relevant reservoir so I took it into my local garage mechanic bloke yesterday to see what's what.

This morning he gleefully informed that I need a new `steering rack.` No probs I thought and rang our Devon guru ..... CJ of Syncrospares. Unfortunately, he could not help either explaining that these power-steering racks are virtually impossible to get hold of now for my bus, which is a 1987 VW Caravelle GL Syncro 2.1 water-cooled jobby.

He did, however, tell me that there is an outfit in Bristol who can repair them, but sadly was unable to provide further details such as name, address and telephone number.

Please, please can anyone help in my quest?

Kindest regards to all.

Eric.

[ermie571]

Bored at work so put the following in google

Repair steering rack Bristol.....and it gave me this....

wait for it...








car light commercial repairs, repair accident repair specialists, ... Hundreds of power steering racks and pumps in stock, and can supply and fit units on ...
http://www.cylex-uk.co.uk/bristol/car.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - 52k - Cached - Similar pages

this linked to a page of suppliers...and I found this...

WESTERN POWER STEERING
AVON, BS15 3JY BRISTOL, UNIT 1, MEMORIAL ROAD
Power steering specialists providing supply and fitment of reconditioned power steering units. Hundreds of power steering racks and pumps in stock, and can supply and fit units on site or deliver anywhere in the UK. With more than 15 years experience in the power steering industry we pride ourselves on a fast, professional and friendly service at the most competitive prices.

contact details:
WESTERN POWER STEERING

UNIT 1, MEMORIAL ROAD
BS15 3JY BRISTOL, AVON

Phone: 0117-960 2906
Fax: 0117-960 2910
E-mail: Send message
Homepage: http://www.westernpowersteering.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Worth a call...and only 5 mins googling!!


oh well, back to work...

Em
x

Ps - if it is them, let the club know!

[syncrosimon]

Do it yourself......What the blithering heck?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=259700" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[eric]

Oh bugger!

Thank you fellas, you've succeeded in making me feel a right twate for not bloody Googling BEFORE I bothered the forum.

...... sorry.

Having said that ........... many thanks.

Eric.

[Aidan]

I've used western

the rhd rack is still available from vw in germany, about £1500,

Western are talking to ZF, it may be possible to get some new rack bars made, as seal kit alone may not sort leak ime

[eric]

Right,
I've spoken to a nice chap called Graham at Western and he confirmed they can obtain the parts required to prevent further fluid leakage.
Cost is £195 plus VAT which comes to about £225.

Western have even offered to pick up the `complete steering rack` from my local garage bloke and return when the reconditioning is done.

In order to get a ball-park figure of my total costs, I asked how long might it take for my mechanic to remove the rack and was informed about 3 to 4 hours. Hmmm, it took my bloke 2 hrs to identify the leakage culprit as being the steering rack mechanism and was accordingly charged £75, so I'm a little apprehensive about the final labour bill.

So I'm thinking, bearing in mind Western fit and re-fit these racks all day and every day, they should be able to achieve this task far quicker and more efficient than my local bloke and asked whether they (Western) can do the whole job and what would be the fee etc. Sadly, Graham came back to me and said that they were unable to do this job on my vehicle due to the height (?) of it. Did I hear correctly, but why?

Off at a sort of tangent, but nevertheless relevant, I was telling my LPG installer/Gas supplier, when filling up yesterday, about my woes and he said "Why?" "Why what" I said. He went on to argue that as my leak is so small, it is almost insignificant and thereby just making sure the reservoir is topped up at all times should do the trick, so why bother with all the expense? He added that the fluid only costs about £5 per litre.

An interesting viewpoint?

I shall report back on developments.

Em, you are right with regard to this outfit being important to folk because I failed to find any previous `chit-chat` on this particular problem which I figure is going to effect more and more peeps in the future.

Eric.

[billy739]

get it sorted now before its too late!

it may last a while but its obviously worn,so sort it at a convienient time to yourself, and of course whilst the bits are available!

or get a manual rack ready as backup!

i would also take a good look at the front/rear pipes at the same time , if they look corroded then have them sorted at the same time!

are you mechanically minded? take you between 1-2 hours to remove replace , depending on your experience.

also you will find as part of the warrenty you WILL need to clean the filter, flush the system,and make sure the pump ect is in good order.

[eric]

Thanks for that Billy .... I hear you and will endeavour to have my garage to effect your recommendations, especially as my goal is to put the bus back to it's original working order and spec ....... whatever it takes.

As a matter of interest (or not), I spent 6 yrs living in Gloucester and have happy memories. Still visit friends there in fact.

Once again, thanks for your advices mate.

Eric.