X7 steering rack damage prevention

[bobins]

The rack that came off my 2009 C5 definitely didn't have a green ring fitted and I've owned the car since it was about 2 years old, so I'm confident it was the original rack. The replacement (second hand) rack I fitted was only a few months old and came with a ring, so I assumed that recent genuine replacement racks come with green rings.
It's quite possible that racks that come with green rings are quite capable of rusting out as before, just that the green ring helps to protect the seal. If that's the case then it's quite possible (though unlikely) that some 'green ring' racks have already gone through a recon process. Stretching the theory even further, Elis' car could already have had a replacement rack and the green ring of the previous rack was left behind stuck in the rubber cover by mistake, and the rack that is currently fitted is a new and even more improved design - or a recon one where the company that did the work actually made a good job of it and protected the shaft.

[EDC5]

That's a very good set of points. I took a chance when I bought the car as I didn't have any service history to prove / back-up those theories.

I suppose I could contact Citroen and see if the car was ever repaired under warranty but I doubt they’d have the records easily available.

I'm just happy that it's not knackered and hopefully with a greasing it should stay that way .

[wheeler]

I suppose I could contact Citroen and see if the car was ever repaired under warranty but I doubt they’d have the records easily available.

Any dealer can easily check the full warranty history of the car with the VIN.

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes they have a centralised system - when I got a printout on my MK II before I sold it on, they produced 2 inches thick of computer printouts That was down to all the work and servicing I had done with them no doubt! Whether they would just be able to tell you or not might be easier, but it would probably mean someone scanning through all the records visually, but doable.

[Homer]

I presume that if there is a problem the whole rack needs changing and not just the pinion cos that looks like it might come out through the inspection hole in footwell.

If the rack has to come off you need to replace the seals or they will leak. Unless someone has come up with an alternative that means buying whole new supply and return pipes from Citroen at some extortionate price.