Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Moderator: RichardW
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Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
It was only a matter of time before it happened.... the steering rack on my X7 has started to weep. It's done 80k so the rack is up for a long service award Any recommendations for good rack refurb companies, or ones that perhaps aren't so good and so should be avoided ? Powerracksdirect offer a modified rack with a double seal on the pinion http://www.powerracksdirect.co.uk/Citroen-C5 anyone know of any other companies doing something similar ? I might do the job myself - but I'll talk to my local garage in the week... they normally run away from working on Citroens, but as mine is conventional steel sprung I'll tell them it's a Peugeot with the wrong badge on it
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
I don't think anyone has fitted a refurb rack - until now, the only source appeared to be Citroen (at vast cost!). Book time is 3 hours, but it involves removing the front subframe, so probably best left to someone with a lift - and PowerRacks only supply to the trade!
Richard W
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
The subframe only has to be dropped a bit (as opposed removed completely) to get the rack back and out and doesn't seem to be too involved so I'm not put off too much by that
I can't spend £1k+ on a genuine Citroen rack - I just can't justify that sort of silly money for what is a '£5 fault' and for what might go again in as little as 5 years - going on how early some X7 racks have failed in the past.
Having done some Googling, there seems to be no shortage of companies that refurb / recondition them - with reports that some seem to be churning out quite a few of them
It seems to be pot-luck as to whether the power steering pipes reseal nicely when it's all put back together - new seals are available from third party suppliers, but Citroen will supply new seals only if you're willing to buy the pipes they're attached to....... at great cost
If I end up getting a rack from Powerracks, I'm hoping to persuade my local little indie garage to get it for me
I can't spend £1k+ on a genuine Citroen rack - I just can't justify that sort of silly money for what is a '£5 fault' and for what might go again in as little as 5 years - going on how early some X7 racks have failed in the past.
Having done some Googling, there seems to be no shortage of companies that refurb / recondition them - with reports that some seem to be churning out quite a few of them
It seems to be pot-luck as to whether the power steering pipes reseal nicely when it's all put back together - new seals are available from third party suppliers, but Citroen will supply new seals only if you're willing to buy the pipes they're attached to....... at great cost
If I end up getting a rack from Powerracks, I'm hoping to persuade my local little indie garage to get it for me
Sadly no longer a C5 owner
Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Did you find out how much they do the racks for ?
Is the Citroen rack now modified do we know ?
Im considering an X7 but this rack problem is putting me off.
Is the Citroen rack now modified do we know ?
Im considering an X7 but this rack problem is putting me off.
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
wheeler wrote:Did you find out how much they do the racks for ?
Is the Citroen rack now modified do we know ?
Im considering an X7 but this rack problem is putting me off.
Do not let it put you off, just inspect the seal area before you purchase.....if it is OK protect it with waterproof grease, if it is suspect negotiate a discount or walk away.
Alasdair
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3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Activa, the Moose Rider
3x C5x7 Steering racks and counting
Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Ok, haven't seen an actual car yet, how accessible is it to inspect ? From above or below ?
Would be interesting to know the price of this replacement modified recon rack to have worst case scenario.
Would be interesting to know the price of this replacement modified recon rack to have worst case scenario.
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
I haven't got prices yet for any of the racks, but my local indie garage says they'll get a rack from Powerracks for me if I want. The part that goes is fairly easy to see - you can either shine a torch through the right hand wheel and follow the track rod end along the line of the rack and you'll see the power steering pipes where they enter the rack, and just above these is where the pinion enters the rack. The pipes are about 2' in from the outside of the wheel. It's also possible to lift the carpet / interior trim where the steering column goes through the bulkhead - remove the cover down there and you can see straight onto the pinion.
It's the pinion seal that generally goes and this dumps LDS / Fluide DA over the pipes and onto the subframe below. It's often misdiagnosed as the pipes that have gone - due to the fluid all over them - but it's normally the pinion seal that's gone. On the earlier X7's ('08 - '10 ???) it's not really a case of if the seal will go, but more when the seal will go.
Standard recon racks seem to be in the £250 - £400 range. Powerracks modified one might be nothing more than a double lip oil seal.... which would be an improvement on the original.... but not much. Sticky's recommendation of slathering waterproof grease on the pinion would seem to be a very sensible option
I'm still after good / bad / ugly comments on rack reconditioners, if anyone's got any
It's the pinion seal that generally goes and this dumps LDS / Fluide DA over the pipes and onto the subframe below. It's often misdiagnosed as the pipes that have gone - due to the fluid all over them - but it's normally the pinion seal that's gone. On the earlier X7's ('08 - '10 ???) it's not really a case of if the seal will go, but more when the seal will go.
Standard recon racks seem to be in the £250 - £400 range. Powerracks modified one might be nothing more than a double lip oil seal.... which would be an improvement on the original.... but not much. Sticky's recommendation of slathering waterproof grease on the pinion would seem to be a very sensible option
I'm still after good / bad / ugly comments on rack reconditioners, if anyone's got any
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Hello gents, I'm one of the happy C5 owner who just had the steering rack refurb. Actually it has been done yesterday.
It all started about 3 months ago, when I noticed some oil mark on my drive. On my last service I went underneath the car to discover a leak from the rack .... . I said to myself: f.... I'm doomed £2000 aprox. for a new rack. Wife it's gonna kill me; but, after I had a chat with google, I found this guys and they quoted me £420 for refurb, fitting, brand new high pressure pipe and and and 18 MONTHS Warranty !!! So I did it and I can say the guys are absolutely brilliant. If I'm allowed, I'm gonna post their details to help others save their money and let this guys do a great job.
By the way: I drove almost 400 miles both ways to get this done, but have no regrets.
Cheers, Cosmin Norwich
It all started about 3 months ago, when I noticed some oil mark on my drive. On my last service I went underneath the car to discover a leak from the rack .... . I said to myself: f.... I'm doomed £2000 aprox. for a new rack. Wife it's gonna kill me; but, after I had a chat with google, I found this guys and they quoted me £420 for refurb, fitting, brand new high pressure pipe and and and 18 MONTHS Warranty !!! So I did it and I can say the guys are absolutely brilliant. If I'm allowed, I'm gonna post their details to help others save their money and let this guys do a great job.
By the way: I drove almost 400 miles both ways to get this done, but have no regrets.
Cheers, Cosmin Norwich
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Post the info...........
Alasdair
Activa, the Moose Rider
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Activa, the Moose Rider
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Right, their details are :
The Steering Specialists Ltd
97 Bridge Rd, Middlestown, Horbury, Wakefield WF4
Tel: 01924 267999
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Steering-Superstore?_rdc=
The Steering Specialists Ltd
97 Bridge Rd, Middlestown, Horbury, Wakefield WF4
Tel: 01924 267999
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Steering-Superstore?_rdc=
"I know I'm stupid but, when I look around me I get very optimistic ..."
《 Ion Creanga - Romanian writer 》
《 Ion Creanga - Romanian writer 》
Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Just had a look at mines & its dry at the moment but the pinion shaft is quite rusty (picture attatched). How are these getting so rusty in the first place ?? wouldn't think a part located inside the car would rust like this. Ideally I want to stop it at the source.
Do we think if the column is taken off & the pinion wire brushed then grease packed in it should prevent the rust damaging the seal ?
Do we think if the column is taken off & the pinion wire brushed then grease packed in it should prevent the rust damaging the seal ?
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
Have you disconnected the steering column UJ and lifted up the plastic cover in your picture to see the nastiness below ? The pinion shaft is much longer than what's in your picture and the bit that fails is underneath that cover.
See my other thread for pictures of the pinion : https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... =3&t=57734
I think the reason they're all failing is - in part - due to the use of crap 'instarust' steel
See my other thread for pictures of the pinion : https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... =3&t=57734
I think the reason they're all failing is - in part - due to the use of crap 'instarust' steel
Sadly no longer a C5 owner
Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
If someone would like to send steering rack in germany maybe: https://www.ihrlenkungsspezialist.de/Hi ... Bestellung. Original replacing parts and two years warranty.
Price: 180-250€
Price: 180-250€
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
bobins wrote:Have you disconnected the steering column UJ and lifted up the plastic cover in your picture to see the nastiness below ? The pinion shaft is much longer than what's in your picture and the bit that fails is underneath that cover.
See my other thread for pictures of the pinion : https://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ ... =3&t=57734
I think the reason they're all failing is - in part - due to the use of crap 'instarust' steel
Yes, I agree. I can't believe the only difference between the original and replacement racks is a poxy plastic ring. I would of expected them to have changed the material itself!
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Re: Steering rack refurb recommendations ?
My X7 C5 is on 88,000 miles (2010 plate) and has no mention of the steering rack ever being replaced, should i be expecting the worse?