What size is the seal / bearing on top of the steering rack?

[Ireland]

The oil seal on the top of my steering rack has started to leak out power steering fluid.

It's the seal around the splined shaft that the steering column connect onto.

Do any of you know the size of the seal as I can't read the markings off it?

Also, what's below that seal?

Is there a bearing or bushing there?

I'm getting a slight bit of sideways movement on that shaft so I want to sort it all in one go.

If it's a bearing, do any of you know the size of that also?

[mikesr]

The seal is 20-30-7 (see the piccy of it on the Clever Trevor site)

There is no bearing at the top end of the spindle.
There is an internal circlip on top of wave washer on top of seal.

The bearing (and a second seal) is at the other end of the ali module that bolts onto the rack. The spindle itself has 3 (or 4?) rings/washers that run against the inside of the module.

[Ireland]

You seem to know your stuff about them.

What could cause a bit of sidewards movement in the shaft?

Can the washers / seals you mentioned wear (presumably they can)?

When I get it apart I'd prefer to do the lot in one go rather than have to dismantle it again so having the necessary bits in advance would be the way to go.

[JensenA]

Check that the 3 (or 4, I can't remember) Allen Headed bolts that bolt to the rack are tight, they an work loose and this can cause some play.

[Ireland]

JensenA said:

Check that the 3 (or 4, I can't remember) Allen Headed bolts that bolt to the rack are tight, they an work loose and this can cause some play.

No, it's not them.

They are tight.

I've had a look under the cover panel ahead of the engine and I can feel an actual bit of movement where the column enters the rack.

[mikesr]

Is it movement of the spindle or movement of the UJ that you are feeling.
The pinch bolt needs to be very tight otherwise there can be a bit of movement of the splined spindle in the UJ.
I can get some photos of the internals/seals etc posted at the weekend.

[Ireland]

mikesr said:

Is it movement of the spindle or movement of the UJ that you are feeling.

Spindle.

Definitely.

mikesr said:

The pinch bolt needs to be very tight otherwise there can be a bit of movement of the splined spindle in the UJ.

I'll double-check it but I'm 99% sure it's tight (I was 100% sure but now you lot have me doubting myself ).

mikesr said:

I can get some photos of the internals/seals etc posted at the weekend.

That'd be brilliant if you can.

[mikesr]

As promised, piccy of pinion detail.

The seals are the 4 white rings. They appear to be fairly rigid so I'm guessing you would have to use some sort of fitting tool - a thin walled tube or some such to get them fitted.

Edited by mikesr on Sunday 17th February 11:44

[Ireland]

Brilliant.

Thanks for that.

At least now I know what's waiting for me in there.

I've got the top seal for it but I never thought of the bottom one.

Do you happen to have the size of that so I can be "armed" when I get stuck into it?


Unfortunately it'll be a wee while before I can do it as my back decided to "disconnect" a bit of itself during the week so bending over into an engine bay isn't too easy at the moment.

Driving a Cerb, however, is still fine.

[mikesr]

The inner seal is 27 - 37 - 7

I got mine from the local branch of BSL Brammer - £10 for both seals.

[Ireland]

Thanks.

I'll get one tomorrow and then I can change both when I get stuck into it.


I got the top seal locally from our regular supplier of belts and bearings.

I'm not 100% sure of the cost yet but, as they had it on the shelf, it won't be too costly.

Probably about the same as you paid.