Power Steering Leak

[tvrgit]

I have a leak from the power steering. Looking down on the rack, it looks as if it's the pinion seal



I'm going to clean it up with paraffin and rags, so that I can see where the fluid is coming out, but can anybody tell me:

1. is that likely to be what it is, and

2. can it be replaced without taking the rack out of the car?

I know that the pinion seal is only a tenner or so but I don't want to start pulling the car to bits already!

Edited by tvrgit on Friday 4th September 14:34

[saranigel]

its a bit hard to tell without it cleaned but I would say more like the upper valve seal around the input shaft. Post another pic after it's cleaned up.

I used to build steering gears for a living so know a little bit!

[tvrgit]

Magic, I'll try to give it a clean up during the week if I get time.

Thanks for now.

[tvrgit]

Right, I cleaned up the rack the other day so it looks like this:



Tonight I started the car up, and turned the steering lock to lock several times (car standing still to make the steering work!) and looked at it again. I would post another picture, but it looks exactly the same - no weeping around the pipes, no sign of any fluid where there was none before.

I'm going to try the car for a few days and see what happens.

Edited by tvrgit on Friday 4th September 14:34

[Ireland]

You can change the input shaft seal without removing the rack but you do need to remove the mounting bolts to move it enough to avoid some pipework.

That might be what's weeping on yours.

I did mine about a year ago and it was perfect 'til very recently but is now starting to show signs of dampness again.

I did about 10,000 miles in the last year and about 500 of those were on track days.

[saranigel]

Yep I agree, and goes with my first thought, but there is one other place it could be. Check again in a while because you might find it's actally the outer rack seals, and gradually oil is filling the boots and coming out from there.
First thoughts though go with the input shaft seal

[tvrgit]

I agree with you both - what I meant by "the pinion seal" was the seal around the input shaft (the pinion) under that white cap. That was where the wet bit looked wettest!

We'll see what happens over the weekend. Thanks to both of you for your help so far.

[Allandwf]

saranigel said:

Yep I agree, and goes with my first thought, but there is one other place it could be. Check again in a while because you might find it's actally the outer rack seals, and gradually oil is filling the boots and coming out from there.
First thoughts though go with the input shaft seal

Thats where mine went, nearside only.

[tvrgit]

Well I turned the steeering lock to lock for about 10 minutes the other night, no sign of a leak.

I've done about 200 miles today, had another look tonight and it's as dry as a bone - I can't even see any dampness around any hoses, unions, seals etc - not a sausage.

Very mysterious. Just have to keep a regular eye on it I guess.