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Well, driving up from London yesterday my power steering fluid decided to dump itself on the road...

I haven't had a look as yet but am expecting to have to get a recon rack at the worst, maybe a hose at the best scenario.

Anybody know where there is a guide online for removing the rack.

Best place for recon rack and hoses?

I'm starting to think that I bought a low mileage, immaculate dog...

Mine went a couple of weeks ago.

Audi quoted 670+VAT for the rack and 8 hours labour. Then they told me they had none in the country.

Quite a few people told me this is impossible for a DIY mechanic on the drive. Being as stubborn as a mule and twice as stupid I ignored them all and had a go. Horrible job, a job so bad I invented new swear words to curse the muppet who designed it.

Finished about 2 horus ago. Knowing what I know now I'd just smash the piggie bank and pay someone to do it. It's not really a DIY task. Really and truly, it's not a nice task - and this is from someone who pulled their engine a month ago to replace two seals.

Ooer, doesn't sound too much like fun...

I'll get it up on the 4 poster on Tuesday and have a look first I think, see where it is leaking from.

Any advice on best place to get a recon rack?

No they are a <beep>. Have done one about 7 years ago and a few passats, If i remember they are held on by three bolts, two go down through the bluk head which are not bad to get to. Its the little bugger which bolts up between the rack up in to the bulk head which you can not see. NOT a good job if your thinking of doing it at home.

Yeah, three bolts. One hidden and some demon banjo unions which you can't really get at either. Be prepared to make your own tools, cut a few up etc.

Audi quoted me the same, VAG parts were approx 5-10% cheaper. In the end I was lucky to pick up a low mileage rack of Satanschild.

I recently got the car back from my friendly independant VAG garage. Kingsway Motors in Swansea.He first spent 3 hours trying to wrestle the rack past the heat sheild and then called to say he'd have to drop the engine. While it out he did the turbos clutch and belts Wpump ect. He told me afterwards he'd mugged himself a bit by only charging £600 labour. (I think circa £500 was for the engine drop and replace)

You've got to love small garages though - He actually leant me his car while mine was being worked on. He invited me round to see the enginebox/subframe while it was out- amazed it fits in the nose of a small saloon!

Well it looks like I'm a lucky boy, there is nothing wrong with the rack and the fluid seems to be exiting just underneath the power steering reservoir, where is the best place to buy replacement pipes?

Probably the dealer. The price difference will probably not cover vag part's delivery charge.

I wouldn't use stanard rubber hose from halfords. The mineral hydraulic fluid might attack it.