C5 X7 Steering Rack - Again!

[GiveMeABreak]

Ouch, that's a kick in the nuts after having your hopes raised Marc.

How come that it couldn't be spotted before? Or at least it was spotted, identified and then changed.

Was hard to be certain - but the garage took a little video of the leak for me to see when I go back Paul' Suffice it to say an email has been fired off to Citroen - not expecting anything except a "we are sorry..." response, but it at least I felt better for getting it off my chest and letting them no that I've never heard of anything so ridiculous as these SR failures in my 35 years of Citroen ownership.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ouch, that's a kick in the nuts after having your hopes raised Marc.

How come that it couldn't be spotted before? Or at least it was spotted, identified and then changed.

Was hard to be certain - but the garage took a little video of the leak for me to see when I go back Paul' Suffice it to say an email has been fired off to Citroen - not expecting anything except a "we are sorry..." response, but it at least I felt better for getting it off my chest and letting them no that I've never heard of anything so ridiculous as these SR failures in my 35 years of Citroen ownership.

Update: And as expected, this is the paltry response:

Thank you for your email about the steering rack on your Citroën C5. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having this issue.

As you can appreciate, there are many external factors that can cause the failure of a part. For this reason, we don't give an expected life span on any parts in our vehicles.

Due to the age of your vehicle, we're unable to look into this further.

I'm sorry we couldn't help more but thanks again for contacting Citroën customer care."

[Homer]

Update: And as expected, this is the paltry response:

Thank you for your email about the steering rack on your Citroën C5. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having this issue.

As you can appreciate, there are many external factors that can cause the failure of a part. For this reason, we don't give an expected life span on any parts in our vehicles.

Due to the age of your vehicle, we're unable to look into this further.

I'm sorry we couldn't help more but thanks again for contacting Citroën customer care."

And that's why this life-long Citroen fan now has a Volvo.

[Stickyfinger]

After supplying a good selection of photographs showing the long-term "ignoring" of even the most simple servicing checks by "their" servicing dealers I got the same from Citroen as well. Let it rot till it fails seems to be ?most? dealers skills. If it fails to the point of a warranty claim, replace it, if it fails just after then tell the customer to sod off despite it being quite obvious a small clean and a wipe with oil/grease would have prevented the item failing.

"Full Dealer Service History" is these days a negative as an indication of the condition of the car imho.

[GiveMeABreak]

The replacement rack should be here Tuesday. The chaps at Autosteer weren't aware of the different versions (180 or 184 Steering Mechanism Travel).

Stu (Sloppysod) had one from them that seemed to be too tight. Stu has a 2011 X7 and although a different original part (4001 W3), the replacement part (RP) rack is the same RP as mine (98 014 154 80). My original part was 4001 65. Both ours are the 180 versions.

The chaps at Autosteer say they come with spacers fitted - so we will have to see. I really don't want any mucking about TBH, I just want it to fit!

I have been thinking as to why there isn't better protection for the pinion shaft and in the course of all the faffing about over this issue, thought about the practicalities of fitting a tie rod boot over the pinion shaft - something like this universal one that can be cut to requirements. Even if it was loosely fitted over the pinion during the refitting process and filled with grease, surely this would offer some better protection than nothing? Any opinions or concerns?

[bobins]

A gaiter would certainly help (along with grease), but it should be fastened near the top of the pinion shaft and 'open' at the bottom to allow crud and water to drop out. There isn't actually a massive amount of room to play with - maybe a couple of inches of pinion shaft that are directly exposed to the elements, then another 2 or so inches that are up inside the rubber boot at the foot of the steering column in the footwell. Another solution might be to coat the pinion shaft in an underseal that's kind to rubber/seals - i.e. one that won't affect the pinion shaft seals. A good underseal should provide a 'fit and forget' solution.

[Stickyfinger]

This : VERY VERY sticky, non wash. If it is good for propeller shafts it is good for a car.
http://www.simpson-marine.co.uk/en/231- ... 40014.html

[GiveMeABreak]

Thanks for the suggestions both. You are right Paul, I remember looking up under the car when it was on the ramp and only seeing that 2" or so exposed glowing a nice rust-red colour back at me. I forgot that Stu has done a similar mod on his that extends through the floor hole into the cabin. Elis found the link and posted it - that's the problem with the steering rack - a lot of topics crossing over - all with lots of good suggestions.

[EDC5]

Propeller shaft grease (I'm assuming for a boat) seems like a perfect fit thinking about it! good suggestion

[daviemck2006]

Could it be possible to wrap it with denso tape? That worked miracles keeping the rust off of hydraulic fittings

[EDC5]

Could it be possible to wrap it with denso tape? That worked miracles keeping the rust off of hydraulic fittings

Do you think that's what the black lining up the pinion on my steering rack could be?

[Paul-R]

I have been thinking as to why there isn't better protection for the pinion shaft and in the course of all the faffing about over this issue, thought about the practicalities of fitting a tie rod boot over the pinion shaft - something like this universal one that can be cut to requirements. Even if it was loosely fitted over the pinion during the refitting process and filled with grease, surely this would offer some better protection than nothing? Any opinions or concerns?

I've given this some thought since and I'm wondering whether a track rod end boot would do the job better.

If you choose the right one it would surely slip over the pinion shaft and hold on tightly enough to turn with the shaft. Choosing the right diameter for the large end would make sure that it covers the rack body enough without catching. The thick casting of the rubber should give it some strength that a cut rack gaiter wouldn't have. Inside the boot and on the pinion shaft lavishly slather the area with waterproof grease.

I must say this whole thread has made me very worried about my own X7. I had hoped that being a late model X7 it would have a rack that wouldn't suffer from this problem but now I'm fretting just a bit about it.

[GiveMeABreak]

Well this latest one I had fitted from Citroen Oct 2014 with under 20k was supposed to be the revised one Paul. So much for that!

I will be ensuring this one is thoroughly and regularly greased up in future, but at least this one comes with 3 years warranty, which is 3 more than Citroen warrant on their ‘genuine’ replacements.

[bobins]

The trouble with fitting any form of boot over the shaft is that there's a casting in the way on the rack body

In best Blue Peter traditions - here's one I rusted earlier....

Rusty rack pinion - own work

The casting doesn't actually do anything on these racks - I think it's for the speed sensor or something equally obtuse, but I've not come across anyone with one fitted yet. You could probably grind it off and out of the way, but then when it comes to getting it reconditioned again the reconditioners would probably refuse to take it as it's been modified.

[Paul-R]

Ah, I see the problem.

I'm going to have to think about this for a while