Steering rack connections - leaks
Discussion
All,
I have an annoying leak from the top of the rack. The rack has been refurbed but I removed and refitted it.
The leak appears to be oozing from the high-pressure pipe fitting but it could be running down from the LP hose nipple that is located above it - very difficult to tell which.
I have fitted the high pressure pipe back on with 2 new copper washers and tightened them down quite hard with a ratchet.
I could tighten it further but as the rack appears to be aluminium, I didn't want to go much more.
Anyone know what torque that should be to? It's a 19mm socket so reasonable sized thread.
The other thing I might try is some PTFE tape on the low-pressure nozzle.
Anyone any other advice please ?
I have an annoying leak from the top of the rack. The rack has been refurbed but I removed and refitted it.
The leak appears to be oozing from the high-pressure pipe fitting but it could be running down from the LP hose nipple that is located above it - very difficult to tell which.
I have fitted the high pressure pipe back on with 2 new copper washers and tightened them down quite hard with a ratchet.
I could tighten it further but as the rack appears to be aluminium, I didn't want to go much more.
Anyone know what torque that should be to? It's a 19mm socket so reasonable sized thread.
The other thing I might try is some PTFE tape on the low-pressure nozzle.
Anyone any other advice please ?
Steve_D said:
You need to know where first.
Get a wad of kitchen roll and stuff it between the two pipes/fittings you are not sure about. Leave it in place long enough to have a witness of oil which will tell you which side of the wad has the leak.
Steve
Steve,Get a wad of kitchen roll and stuff it between the two pipes/fittings you are not sure about. Leave it in place long enough to have a witness of oil which will tell you which side of the wad has the leak.
Steve
Already thought of and tried that. It certainly almost stopped the leak but difficult to tell if that was because it was wicking up a leak from the top of the lower pipe (which the paper is touching) or if it was stopping a leak from the upper pipe.
How tight can you get away with tightening the HP hose 19mm nut in the aluminium rack housing?
Are you talking about the 19mm nut that has an Allen bolt running through the middle?
Look at the steering input shaft, you should see a plastic cap that covers the top oil seal. It might be leaking from that seal
Some pics would be good
These are the only pics I can find,
You'll see the plastic cover has been removed, circlip, shim, then the oil seal. Get the correct brown one as it contains two springs rather than one.
If your talking about the bit of piping that goes into the rack then as your threading into Alley id not go to tight.
Look at the steering input shaft, you should see a plastic cap that covers the top oil seal. It might be leaking from that seal
Some pics would be good
These are the only pics I can find,
You'll see the plastic cover has been removed, circlip, shim, then the oil seal. Get the correct brown one as it contains two springs rather than one.
If your talking about the bit of piping that goes into the rack then as your threading into Alley id not go to tight.
taylormj4 said:
All,
I have an annoying leak from the top of the rack. The rack has been refurbed but I removed and refitted it.
The leak appears to be oozing from the high-pressure pipe fitting but it could be running down from the LP hose nipple that is located above it - very difficult to tell which.
I have fitted the high pressure pipe back on with 2 new copper washers and tightened them down quite hard with a ratchet.
I could tighten it further but as the rack appears to be aluminium, I didn't want to go much more.
Anyone know what torque that should be to? It's a 19mm socket so reasonable sized thread.
The other thing I might try is some PTFE tape on the low-pressure nozzle.
Anyone any other advice please ?
Suggest you remove the two copper washers from the Banjo Bolt fitting on the high pressure line and fit two "Dowty Seals", one either side of the banjo fitting.I have an annoying leak from the top of the rack. The rack has been refurbed but I removed and refitted it.
The leak appears to be oozing from the high-pressure pipe fitting but it could be running down from the LP hose nipple that is located above it - very difficult to tell which.
I have fitted the high pressure pipe back on with 2 new copper washers and tightened them down quite hard with a ratchet.
I could tighten it further but as the rack appears to be aluminium, I didn't want to go much more.
Anyone know what torque that should be to? It's a 19mm socket so reasonable sized thread.
The other thing I might try is some PTFE tape on the low-pressure nozzle.
Anyone any other advice please ?
These are aluminium washers with an inner rubber insert. Available from all hydraulic fittings and equipment suppliers. Tighten the banjo bolt, but no need to overdo it.
s p a c e m a n said:
I did mine up with a wheel brace when it started weeping so they're not that fragile. Whilst we're here, any tips for getting the hose off of that low pressure barbed fitting? I swear I lifted the front of car trying to pull it off 
Indeed. Mine was on unbelievably tight. I couldn't get it undone until I'd removed the rack from the car.Looking at it again, I'm thinking I maight be able to get a deep-drive socket onto it with the hose off.
JWzed said:
Suggest you remove the two copper washers from the Banjo Bolt fitting on the high pressure line and fit two "Dowty Seals", one either side of the banjo fitting.
These are aluminium washers with an inner rubber insert. Available from all hydraulic fittings and equipment suppliers. Tighten the banjo bolt, but no need to overdo it.
Good answer Sir !These are aluminium washers with an inner rubber insert. Available from all hydraulic fittings and equipment suppliers. Tighten the banjo bolt, but no need to overdo it.
Not heard of them before. Look much more like they could do the job.
Thanks.
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