Can the pinion seal be replace by a DIY mechanic

[belaprops]

Dear All,

After finally sealing my low and high pressure steering seals, I now have a leak on the pinion.
My question is can I replace this seal to repair this leak or is this a specialists job.
My advising mechanic said I probably can get the rack out via the right side, avoiding removing the whole underneath of the car.
I presume these seals are available at the dealer's spares.
Someone told me to send it to Wakefield and get it repaired for 180 pound, but my money three did not blosum this year.

[GiveMeABreak]

If your pinion seal has gone I'd forget it - by now the damage is probably done and replacing an O ring is no good. If water has gotten into the pinion seating area, then corrosion has probably already set in and the pinion has probably started to rust from the inside of the pinion shaft up. Once this happens, the O ring becomes deformed and the leak starts and gets progressively worse as the rust eats away.

You only solution is a refurbished rack to be honest, as it is likely that the rust will have gotten inside the rack and started to do its magic on the internals and other seals.

So far, I am on my third rack (the original, then a brand new Citroen fitted replacement and now a refurbished one) and the last one is holding up well - which was a refurbished and coated one from Autosteerdirect.

Yes, the rack can be taken out from the right side - my mechanics did that fine - and at the same time we greased the pinion and put in a CV boot over the pinion to give it some added protection from water ingress.

[GiveMeABreak]

Plenty on this on my thread here:

Pictures of the refurbished rack in the thread here:
viewtopic.php?p=577476#p577476

... and pictures of my second genuine Citroen rack that failed in 20k miles here - look at the rust!

viewtopic.php?p=577764#p577764

[belaprops]

Thanks Marc, so it's posible to get it out without touching the sub frame.
I will look at your supplier, and see how you put that boot on.
I'm on the verge to sell the car as is, I paid 1200 for it , 150k 2011, so I'm considering selling it for 900 with the leak if I can't afford the repair... such a shame

[bobins]

Somewhere on the forum I've done a basic 'How to' on replacing the racks on these - I've had a search but can't find it. You do have to drop the subframe quite a bit, but it doesn't have to come completely out.

Edit : Found the post:
viewtopic.php?p=533307#p533307

[KennyW]

Bela,

I agree with Marc and Bobins as I am on my third rack. They are getting rare and rare to find, if you can afford to wait and are prepared to remove the rack yourself, send it for refurb to the Wakefield company. I think it costs about £180.

I removed the sub-frame which gives you better access to refit HP and LP pipes. If you do not wish to do that you will need to drop the rack a little to bring the rack out the driver's side.

I hope you make the correct decision for your circumstances. But the help and guidance is here on the forum.

Kenny

[belaprops]

Thanks guys, with a looming clutch flywheel change of 650 and now the over 250 steering I might have to consider to sell the car and cut my losses..