Steering rack oil seals.

[steve2003rs6]

Hi all. Car in garage today to have the steering rack gaiters replaced.
Just heard that there is oil leaking each end into the gaiters.
Apparently the seals are not replaceable so a rack replacement is necessary.

Can the rack be changed without removing the engine.

As usual any feedback will be much appreciated.

I have e mailed Germany to see if they are available
And a uk company Leamoco. Waiting to hear back.
Apparently there are two types listed
One is 2.75 turns lock to lock
The other is 2.9 turns lock to lock.
2.75 NLA
2.9 available.
Need to find out which one is currently fitted.

Ps. On a good note. I think we have finally found where my tiny annoying oil leak was coming from.
Must be a very small leak as the level in the reservoir seems to be the same when I had the car serviced in April.
It’s not a bad leak. But enough to cause a few drops every now and again on the drive.

Even better news. The rear nearside inoperable window problem I had turns out to be a corroded door switch.
I had a replacement switch so this problem is now resolved.

[steve2003rs6]

Quick update.
Unable to get a new rack.
Garage can get mine refurbed. But really don’t want to go down that route as their ramp will be out of action for over a week.
Looking like buying a used rack then sending it away to be refurbished.
Then a straight swop with mine.

[srichards]

Are there any other racks off anything else that can be used instead? There has to be something similar enough??

[steve2003rs6]

Hi suz. Quite a few used Audi racks for sale but seem to have different part numbers.
Really don’t want to risk incompatibility so I am looking for racks with similar part number as my original.

The power steering leak isn’t too bad at the moment. But I will be looking to have the work done in January if at all possible.

[Shoppinit]

Wasn't there a thread on this fairly recently? Someone had a remanufactured rack.

[Shoppinit]

This is the thread I was thinking of:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=142861&p=967489

[steve2003rs6]

Thanks for that Ben.
Spot on as usual.
Yes mate. I think that is the company that has quoted the garage to overhaul my rack.
Pretty reasonable around the £300 mark.

[steve2003rs6]

Can anyone confirm the part no for the steering rack.
I am led to believe it is :
4B8422052C or ending CX

[Shoppinit]

That's how it looks to me from the parts catalogue. The X means factory refurbed.

[steve2003rs6]

Thank you Ben.
Happy new year mate.
Struggling to get one at the moment off a car that has been broken down for parts.

[srichards]

If the garage don't mind their ramp being occupied for a week I'd go down the refurb route. Who have you found to do the refurb?

[steve2003rs6]

Hi suz. Happy new year.
The garage don’t want their ramp out of action while my rack is away for refurb.
Hence trying to purchase a used one and send it away for a refurb.
The garage know a company that overhauls racks.

Have seen loads of rs6 c5 racks advertised for sale. But when it comes to it their part numbers are nothing like what I am after.

Still waiting from a couple of suppliers to get back to me. Fingers crossed they have a suitable one.

Thankfully the oil leak or weep isn’t too bad. Hardly notice any leak from checking the reservoir.
But imo leaks only get worse.
So sort it out now if I can.