C5 X7 Steering Rack?

[pasalima]

Hi Guys,
Like a lot of others I’m in the process of replacing a leaking steering rack in my C5.
I have a refurbished rack which the supplier advises is the correct one for me, however, it doesn’t have the correct matching part no (not a PSA part)

I’ll attach an image and I’d be obliged if anyone can identify if it, or if there’s any other way to confirm it’s correct before leaving it in.

Many thanks,
Paul

[KennyW]

Paul,

From the photo it appears right but all the racks are very similar.

What details did you pass to the supplier ?

The rack will depend on wheel size for 17",18" & 19" Citroen part no 98 014 154 80 for 16" is different can't find the part no at the moment.

Kenny

[bobins]

I've had a quick squizz at my spare rack, and first impressions say it's the same. Certainly all the lumpy bits seem to be in the right places !

[Sloppysod]

pasalima, I have a reconditioned rack in the loft of my garage that has shorter trackrods, it is a C5 X7 but do not know what model.
History:- I have this rack because, I changed my rack in 2017 and was supplied a 'tight' rack as it would not self center, this was replaced with th rack stated above that I could not track. I ended up with a ful refund and a rack I could not use. Hopefully if I ever , have to replace the rack I will use it as spares,
The rack may look the same and have the same part number on the body but to be sure when you have your rack off, make sure the flat on the spigot is in the same position and both tack rods are the same length, before trying to swap it.

[pasalima]

Thanks Kenny, bobbins,

I dropped it into the garage with the replacement in the boot, expecting to be informed that it wasn’t the correct part. However, I got a call to say the car was ready and I had a really enjoyable drive back. (You know when a Citroen’s suspension is just perfect, usually after it’s been on a ramp, especially the older ones!)

All I need now is a new temp sensor for the exhaust and that should be everything sorted.

Thanks again guys,
Cheers, Paul

[white exec]

Just out of interest, if that replacement rack wasn't a refurb'd Citroen/PSA part (or was it?), was there any indication what make it was?
Just wondering if there could be an alternative to the failing PSA ones?

[pasalima]

Stu,
I was lucky enough to be able to avoid the technicalities and things worked out well for me.
And like you, I think I’ll hold onto the old rack as a spare, as I’m conscious of how difficult it was to source a replacement when I needed it. Hopefully, I won’t need it, but if I do, I’m prepared!

Cheers,
Paul

[pasalima]

Hi Chris,
I took a few snaps before it was fitted, maybe you might recognise the manufacturer.
I had previously talked with Marc about the problem and thought a coat of epoxy resin over the weak spot might help, as I’ve used it successfully before to waterproof various items and it’s also chemically resistant.

Cheers,
Paul

[GiveMeABreak]

Looks like an original rack and these are made by ZF.

[bobins]

There's a few subtle differences on your pinion casting to the one I've got here. Yours shows what appears to be a galloping dobbin above the '7832' number, whereas mine shows what looks like a stylised 'EDM'. Yours also has what looks like a '2.4 F12' cast into it (middle pic) whereas mine has nothing except a blank circle where your 'F12' is. I'm not venturing out into my shed to compare the numbers on your bottom picture though, as it's dark and cold out there

[white exec]

Have done a quick trawl through ZF Group sites, racks, wikipedia entries, etc, and can't find any example of the stallion logo/symbol. ZF own a huge number of subsidiaries, which complicates identification. The ZF "ZF" logo is widely employed.
Casting reads ZF Lenksysteme. The logo for this is the series of enlarging circles. Looks like a joint business with Bosch.

Looking further, the 7832 697 is also a ref no for Lizarte remanufactured/replacement steerting racks for C5 etc.

[bobins]

The 7832 697 number is clear on my original pinion casting i.e. the one fitted to my car in 2009, as is the ZF Lenksysteme name, so I think the 7832 697 is the original casting reference number. I suppose the way it's been made is that the pinion casting is made by one company, it's then assembled by ZF Bosch, then it's supplied to PSA as a complete (substandard !) rack.

[Lenny]

It's them pesky Germans.
Everything that seems to go wrong with an X7 seems to be made by German companies.
(and they bombed our chippy)

[pasalima]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering what's anyone's experience in dealing with Autosteer? (refurbed steering rack)
I replaced mine about 2 1/2 years ago and it's leaking again from the connecting tower (at least that's
what I can see through the subframe) I thought the refurb included chrome plating the connecting tower,
albeit the weak spot.

Anyway, much obliged for any advice, ie. are autosteer still the best option.

Many thanks,
Paul

[GiveMeABreak]

I think mine was from there IIRC, and had no issues after fitting it - mine wasn't chromed but was coated in black paint. However, myself and a few other members also did the boot mod and covered the pinion with marine grade grease and a CV boot to help keep water from settling on the base of the pinion and starting the whole rust situation again.

Either all these X7 racks were of poor quality steel and a huge batch suffered, or it is a design fault give the huge number of failures and repeat failures. It's one reason why I sold mine - had enough by rack number 3.