Still Leaking! Please help.

**Tomm** · 03-05-2010 06:22 PM

I have replaced the power steering pump. I have replaced the power steering pressure hose. Both were in fact leaking, the pump since a long time back and the hose was a new discovery. Today I did some driving and discovered: its still drinking fluid (alot).

I assume it must be the rack! the system only leaks when driving, not a single drop while the car is parked. When I replaced the supply hose, I noticed that the booth at the end of the rack had a strange shape and looked kind of wet, today I looked closer and found that when I grab the booth, it makes a squoshing sound, like it has fluid in it! Did anybody hear about that before? So should I assume that it's filled with PS fluid and that that's where the leak is?

I guess that this was the Major source of the leak all along. Both the pump and hose had obvious physical signs of leaks and I don't doubt that I did the right thing changing them.

I'm looking for some feedback here:

Do you think I'm right in suspecting the rack? Does anyone recognise my description of the fluid filled booth or does that make sense?

What are the harder moments in the operation of changing the rack?

Any thoughts on where to get new/refurbished racks, new TREs (would probably put on new ones while changing the rack)?

Getting tired of changing power steering parts... started out feeling like this

now I feel like this

Any help / words of support would be appreciated

**walky_talky20** · 03-05-2010 07:53 PM

Yes, the rack leaking from the ends is a common failure. It can certainly fill the boots, and will usually start seeping out - the clamps are meant to keep the boot in place, not really to keep any fluid in.

You can either get a remanufactured rack or a good used one. It is a bit hard to change, so a new or reman unit would probably be best - you really don't want to do this twice.

Changing it isn't awful, but can be more difficult depending on your configuration. Level of Difficulty (Easier>Harder):

1.8T Manual > 1.8T Automatic > 2.8 Manual > 2.8 Automatic

The reason for this is access to one of the bolts that mount the rack. The wider auto trans makes it harder to get to. Even worse, the driver's side exhaust downpipe on the 2.8 is directly in the way and needs to be moved for access. In comparison, the 1.8T Manual Trans cars have great access to all the bolts. After those are out, there is a bit of fanangling to slide it out. There isn't a whole lot of space. You have to be more careful on install so you don't damage the rack boots. The line connections are pretty accessible through the driver side wheel well area. Hope this helps.

Price wise, at our shop I think we charged $750 installed for a quality reman rack in a B5 Passat 2.8 Auto, and that is probably much lower than most.