Steering rack suitability

[steve2003rs6]

Hi all. I have been trying to get a replacement steering rack as the seals are weeping on mine.
I was advised that the part no for my car is
4B8422052C or CX

A potential supplier has removed his steering rack from his c5 rs6 which is being broken for parts.
The part no is 4B8422065C

Anyone know what the difference is and if I can fit this steering rack to my car.

I am aware that there are two types of rack
One gives 3.7 full turns lock to lock
Other gives 3.9 turns lock to lock.
May be 2.7 and 2.9

That doesn’t bother me. Just wanting to know
If I can install it on mine after having it serviced/overhauled.

[srichards]

Wonder if someone like this could make them or have something very close to the OEM knocking about? https://powerracksdirect.co.uk/hydraulic-pas-racks/

[steve2003rs6]

Hi suz. Appreciate the info.
At the moment I am just trying to find the difference between the two racks.
And if the 65c will fit in place of the 52c.

At the end of the day my rack may be the 65c. Until it’s removed I just don’t know.

[Shoppinit]

This is a really tricky one. It's hard to find much information on the 4b8422065C. I found a dutch site selling one with a picture of the part number, saying it's for an RS6 and that 4b8422052C is an equivalent part number but who knows where they got that info from:

https://shop.autopartsveghel.nl/0575023 ... 6-bj-03-05

When you look at the parts catalogue for the A6, you can see that there is part number 48b422052B and it has a note saying 48b422065B which makes me think there is a link between the 052 and 062. No such note in the RS6 catalogue though, but that doesn't mean much.

https://audi.7zap.com/en/rdw/audi+a6+av ... -422040/#1

I wonder if the 065 is a sub assembly of the 052 (or vice versa). The latter includes the track rod ends. Maybe the 065 doesn't? Can't say for sure. There is no mention whatsoever of the 065C in the ZF catalogue. The 052C is in there, though.

On autodoc, the Bosch version of the LHD 4B7422052C rack has these equivalent 065C part number listed, which kinda reinforces the idea that 052C and 065C are equivalent.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/4b7422052c

That's all the useful info I could find. Maybe someone who has access to ETKA or Audi parts system could find more info.

[srichards]

OEM VW Shop shows 52C seems to be specific to RS6 but there's an alternative that is used on more cars the 52CX

https://www.oemvwshop.com/4b8422052c-st ... /?cid=3136

and https://www.oemvwshop.com/4b8422052cx-s ... t-p781505/


This suggests 65c could be off an S6 https://www.prestigemotorservices.co.uk ... 05783.html

Clear as mud.

[Shoppinit]

the X suffix just means that it's a factory reconditioned part. Otherwise identical to the non-suffix version.

[srichards]

This is full of cross references for audi Racks. I'm cross eyed trying to find the 52C.

https://motorherz.us/catalog/all/audi/a6/253

[steve2003rs6]

Ok. So the 65c will replace my 52c.
Apparently I will have to install different track rods.
The 65c is basically a upgrade to the 52 c

So I have purchased the 65c and it is being sent for overhaul before it is fitted to my car.
All this to cure a slight weep of oil on my drive.

Many thanks to all the responses and the extensive information you have provided.
Really appreciate it.

Ps Ben. The photo I got of the 65c rack has a ZF badge on it.

[Foxmeister]

Wasn’t there a rumour that the plus had a slightly different/quicker rack? Maybe this is the case if there’s 2 numbers checking out

[Shoppinit]

There isn't a different reference for the plus in the parts catalogue.

[steve2003rs6]

Just a recap.
My rack may be 65c and not 52c. I won’t know until we remove it. The garage initially told me the part number for a rs6 rack was 52c.

However all of the racks that I have attempted to purchase that I know are removed from c5 rs6,s have ended up being 65c.
I have not come across a 52c from a c5 rs6 for sale anywhere.
Fingers crossed.

[Shoppinit]

It might be a 52C in the parts catalogue but have 65C marked on the body of the rack. Possibly because the 52C part number has the tie-rod ends included and the 65C may be purely the rack part (which doesn't have a part number in the parts catalogue, if you look). If you bought a 52C from Audi, it might come in a bag / box with 52C marked on it, but the rack itself might be marked 65C.

That's my hypothesis, anyway. Could well be wrong.

Either way, I bet you a fish and chips that your rack is marked 65C when it comes out.

Actually, not fish and chips, given the last prices I saw. Maybe just a beer.

[steve2003rs6]

Cheers Ben. Itching to get it removed now and see what it is. I am with you I bet it is stamped 65C.
Going to be a few weeks though before we get to that stage.
Engine out job I think. Book says 22 hours labour.
So I am sure there will be a few jobs added on.

[srichards]

Well while the engine is out anyway....

[steve2003rs6]

Yes suz. It’s going to be a interesting time once we get started.