looking for reconditioned steering rack?

DublinChris · Unread post by **DublinChris** » 08 Oct 2011, 13:03

I am looking for reconditioned steering rack for feb 98 series 2 Xantia. Turbo diesel. Anybody no of one and cost.

Thanks in advance.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 08 Oct 2011, 13:26

What's wrong with yours? Leaks or play?

I took three days to go through mine, although the pinion valve was outsourced a year ago so on this occasion it was simply removed, then reinstalled.

Costs were about €135 plus tax for the inner and outer tie rod ends plus gaiters, all genuine. The pinion kit 4048.Q8 isn't too dear from memory; less than €40 with tax. I haven't seen a source for the passenger end rack guide but would wager it's a really common part across many makes.

Unread post by **KennyW** » 09 Oct 2011, 09:37

Chris,

What is the problem with yours, as I have bits and pieces left from my original rack in the garage

Xantia may 98 TD.

Kenny

DublinChris · Unread post by **DublinChris** » 09 Oct 2011, 12:13

KennyW wrote:Chris,

What is the problem with yours, as I have bits and pieces left from my original rack in the garage

Xantia may 98 TD.

Kenny

Hi Addo and Kenny

Well what started off as leak at pinion has developed into a bit of a disaster

I left car with mechanic while I was away for a week to do front wheel bearings and track rod ends + steering leak. He dropped the rack out and left it into a specialist in Dublin to renew seals etc. Anyway last Monday when I should have had car back I got the excuse that he was having trouble bleeding it out and there was air trapped causing stiffness in steering but to leave it with him. However by wed following no reply to phone calls etc - other than odd text advising he was working on it and despite the advice given here re bleeding - on thursday morn I organised a lift to go get car - which would not be released to me without paying over some money (for bearings/track rod ends and other non citroen works)

I had no choice and did part deal to recover car. Anyway took it for spin and found the steering to left basically had no power steering and was very stiff. In addition under pressure when turning to left LHM was "pissing" out

leaving trail on ground at point of turning. Straight ahead and to right was normal. So I assume the story about air was just that a story and problem I presume was that on reassmbly a seal/pipe/connection or other has been damaged where lhm is coming out. Anyway having recovered car I made contact with Citroen dealer who has advised that I need a replacement reconditioned steering rack and he is going to try in UK on monday morning due to lack of availability here. Oh to be knowledgable on all these matters and have space and tools to look after my own repairs

So as result of dealer saying that you cant do much with my existing rack and I need a replacement - he has not seen it only me telling him of problem - probably does not want me to drivre in on his nice F1 clean workshop floor and leavng a puddle

Hence the call for a rack
Chris

ps Addo distracting water feature in that photo of yours

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 09 Oct 2011, 12:55

Apologies if the ceramic ornament offended!

Sounds like just the pinion valve (unless there is green fluid leaking out the gaiter ends). The pinion valve can be replaced in situ, however at ten years or so, the gaiters are frequently a little old and the track rods worn. Ram eye bushes deteriorate, also.

I will bet the rebuilders have fitted either four seals not three, or put the seals in the wrong locations. See this website (BX internals are the same) instruction line 4. I wouldn't follow their method of hauling the new seals on with hook tools!

The return hose is prone to sneaky failures, too. It needs renewal right to the "tree" beside the tank; you can either try the gynaecologist approach and duplicate its original path or just choose a more convenient route and secure with cable ties. Neglecting to refit the ram leakoff hose will also drip a surprising amount of fluid!

DublinChris · Unread post by **DublinChris** » 09 Oct 2011, 19:13

addo wrote: Apologies if the ceramic ornament offended!

Sounds like just the pinion valve (unless there is green fluid leaking out the gaiter ends). The pinion valve can be replaced in situ, however at ten years or so, the gaiters are frequently a little old and the track rods worn. Ram eye bushes deteriorate, also.

I will bet the rebuilders have fitted either four seals not three, or put the seals in the wrong locations. See this website (BX internals are the same) instruction line 4. I wouldn't follow their method of hauling the new seals on with hook tools!

The return hose is prone to sneaky failures, too. It needs renewal right to the "tree" beside the tank; you can either try the gynaecologist approach and duplicate its original path or just choose a more convenient route and secure with cable ties. Neglecting to refit the ram leakoff hose will also drip a surprising amount of fluid!

Thanks again for all this valuable information and insight. I am taking some time over next couple of days to get my head around it all

I will see what dealer comes up with by way of replacement rack but from what you are saying do you think there is still an option of sorting my existing rack?

no offence with ceramic feature

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Oct 2011, 19:21

From your descrpiption Chris, that's surely a duff pinion valve... They're very hard to rebuild and if the dealer tried, chances are he made it worse...

No need of a whole rack, just get Pleiades to recondition your pinion valve and all will be good...

A leaky return pipe won't cause the symptoms you have. It'll weep LHM and later leak it but there will be no effect on the steering, certainly no bias as you have...

DublinChris wrote: no offence with ceramic feature

None here either... Do I correctly identify it as an old porcelain telegraph line insulator Adam?

It did look a bit phallic though. Wondered if there was a very excited frog in the pool....

DublinChris · Unread post by **DublinChris** » 09 Oct 2011, 19:31

CitroJim wrote:From your descrpiption Chris, that's surely a duff pinion valve... They're very hard to rebuild and if the dealer tried, chances are he made it worse...

No need of a whole rack, just get Pleiades to recondition your pinion valve and all will be good...

A leaky return pipe won't cause the symptoms you have. It'll weep LHM and later leak it but there will be no effect on the steering, certainly no bias as you have...

DublinChris wrote: no offence with ceramic feature
None here either... Do I correctly identify it as an old porcelain telegraph line insulator Adam?

It did look a bit phallic though. Wondered if there was a very excited frog in the pool....

now this is going to sound stupid but......Pleiades

Who? Where?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Oct 2011, 19:41

DublinChris wrote: now this is going to sound stupid but......Pleiades Who? Where?

Sorry Chris. Pleiades are Citroen Hydraulic specialists in Cambridgeshire who undertake overhauls of hydraulic components...

Rebuilding a pinion valve is bread and butter to them...

Give them a call, click on the blue link in their name above for contact details, and have a natter with Martin. he'll be glad to help and he does international stuff by post so no worries there. Martin knows the FCF and many of its members very well...

DublinChris · Unread post by **DublinChris** » 09 Oct 2011, 19:44

CitroJim wrote:
DublinChris wrote: now this is going to sound stupid but......Pleiades Who? Where?
Sorry Chris. Pleiades are Citroën Hydraulic specialists in Cambridgeshire who undertake overhauls of hydraulic components...

Rebuilding a pinion valve is bread and butter to them...

Give them a call, click on the blue link in their name above for contact details, and have a natter with Martin. he'll be glad to help and he does international stuff by post so no worries there. Martin knows the FCF and many of its members very well...

Many thanks again great forum here

Unread post by **KennyW** » 09 Oct 2011, 20:10

Chris,

I attempted to rebuild my pinion and the following happened:

I did a test drive and found the steering was heavy to one side and then there was loss of the power steering on a quick investigation. I found a massive leak of LHM.

I removed the rack and found the bottom seal of the pinionPossibly faulty fitting) had not sealed correctly and it flood the rack resulting in leaks from the gaiters in particular from one side.

I replaced the whole rack with a second hand unit.

I would concur 100% with Jim and have the unit repair by Martin and his team at Pleiades

Kenny

PS. I still have the Pinion in my garage in case I have future problems.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 09 Oct 2011, 21:39

Jim, it is an old insulator. Found in a paddock down the road from my place.

Generally - there is a tool kit for resealing the pinion valves. I've seen a picture on Planéte-Citroën (from memory). 9036-T - however I can't find a current listing of that tool...

DublinChris · Unread post by **DublinChris** » 09 Oct 2011, 22:01

KennyW wrote:Chris,

I attempted to rebuild my pinion and the following happened:

I did a test drive and found the steering was heavy to one side and then there was loss of the power steering on a quick investigation. I found a massive leak of LHM.

I removed the rack and found the bottom seal of the pinionPossibly faulty fitting) had not sealed correctly and it flood the rack resulting in leaks from the gaiters in particular from one side.

I replaced the whole rack with a second hand unit.

I would concur 100% with Jim and have the unit repair by Martin and his team at Pleiades

Kenny

PS. I still have the Pinion in my garage in case I have future problems.

This looks very like my problem with mine seal not properly seated and flooding rack with leaks from gaiters on pass side, and no power steering on pass side. I take it then that the second hand unit is the only way out? Trouble with sending my unit to UK will be carriage out and carriage in costs on top of cost of work. I will be contacting Martin to confirm the costs and in meantime have been given some pointers on possible racks here in Ireland.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 10 Oct 2011, 10:29

Chris I had the same situation as Kenny..

I tried to rebuild my PV with new seals and ended up with no PS on the left..

I got a recon valve from Martin at Pelaides and I think gave him mine back in exchange..
He can rebuild them and test them before he sends them . so you know you'll be right ..

Postage will be ok as it's just the valve..

fitting into a rack in situ... priceless

good luck there..
John

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 Oct 2011, 10:41

jgra1 wrote: fitting into a rack in situ... priceless

Yes, that's my experience

Priceless is not my first choice of word to describe it...

I know it cost me a bit of skin off my knuckles and a few additions to my profanity toolkit....