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bigwusser

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  1. Paul.h The garage was 'The Steering Specialists' based in Horbury Bridge, just outside Wakefield. They do C5 pinion seals on a regular basis but they admit this is the first C5 that has blown seals like mine has. I think the problem lays in the previous owner who has certainly had a go at bodging a fix and when this didn't work has decided to pass the issue down the line and i was the idiot who ended up with it. So what has been put into the fluid to try to stop the leaks god only knows. This could have been part of the issue. One point the garage did make is that using a product like 'Stop Leak' is probably the worse thing you can do as it coats all the inside of the pump/rack and pipes. It wouldn't suprise me if this had been used before. Hopefully now this is put to bed and worse case scenario i have to obtain another pump and get it fitted. The guys at the garage really couldn't have been more accomodating in trying to solve the issue and as you say, it's been a bit of a learning curve for them too. Will add any more detail if things progress any..
  2. Hi, Here's an update on the Steering rack issue. When i got the car back to the garage, it seems that the same rack seal has been turned inside out again, causing the leak. i understand this to be the lower seal in the pinion but not 100% sure where all the seals are in the rack. We talked about it for a long time and they deduced that the only thing that would cause this would be back pressure, which meant that the low pressure return pipe to the pump has a blockage in it or the pump was at fault. They then cleared the low pressure pipe from the pump backwards completely, with the effect that you could blow through the low pressure pipe and hear it coming out of the reserviour. Happy that there was now no blockage, they reassembled the newly build rack and i took it for a 2 hour drive to see if it failed again. Got back and it was still dry and the oil level had not dropped. We agreed that if it did fail again it must be the pump (as there really is nothing else in the system but a rack and a pump) and i would get hold of a new pump and they would rebuild the rack again and fit the new pump. So, that agreed, I set off for home (4 hours drive). Stopped halfway and checked, still ok. Got home andf checked, still ok. So, this is where we are at. seems ok at the moment, but it may be a pump issue or was just a blocked pipe somehow? tbh, the garage have been excellent in being pro-active trying to rectify the issue and fault diagnosis. Just hope the Car behaves itself now.....
  3. Paul.h, the reservoir is draining of fluid, so i don't think there is a blockage from this to the rack. they replaced the Aluminium pipe on the first refurb so this shouldn't be blocked either but not 100% sure if this goes all the way to the Electric pump? If not, there possibly could still be a blockage somewhere allowing pressure to build up. I'll ask them if they could flush the system when they take it back in for another refurb. Johndouglas, I'll also ask them to carefully check the rack to see if it has any pitting or rust on the end shafts. I know the Pinion was rusty but they seemed to have that sorted for now! I hoping this can be resolved without having to get a different rack. Let's see what the conversation tomorrow brings... Many thanks for all your input...
  4. JohnDouglas Thanks. Would you expect it to destroy the new seals in a matter of 2-3 days though? does seem a bit quick. I'll mention the fluid to them when i have the call tomorrow. I seem to remember them specifically saying that the seals they fit don't need a specific fluid. I'm wondering if the rack itself is the problem, though i would have expected them to notice any issues with it when they stripped it down. Going back to one of my original thoughts, i just wonder if the fluid being used is increasing the pressure in the system and bleeding out via the end seals. I've post and update once i've had a conversation with them.
  5. Paul.H Thanks for the reply. The garage is reconditioning the original rack each time. They totally strip and replace all seals etc. All they do is steering racks, so i guess they know what's what. They tell me that because of the seals being used, you don't need the LDS fluid. My C5 doesn't have hydractive suspension btw. I am presuming there is a high pressure pump somehwere in the system? could it be putting too much pressure into the rack and the seals are the weakest point, so it bleeds out there? If so, how would i be able to get them to test this? If not, i'll ignore... The only other thing i can think of is that the rack shafts are worn and therefore will always leak. Totally agree about buying car in the wet! My previous car was totalled by another driver and i had to get another one quick for work. This didn't work out well for me!
  6. Hi, New to the forum. Recently bought my 1st C5 tourer 2008 (new shape) 2.0 hdi 138 around 4 weeks back. Foolishly (as it turns out) bought whilst very wet and didn't see leaking steering rack fluid. Was leaking from the top pinion seal. Joined the owners club and I've read all the forum posts about this being a common issue with this year of car. So, no problem i thought, found a place that would recon my unit and fit it. Needed new Aluminium pipe, but it was knackered. Got this done 3 weeks back, got it home and in 2 days leaking from drivers side end seal. Took it back, they recon'd the unit again and i brought it home. Now leaking again, from the nearside end seal this time. When i spoke to the fitters after the first return they were suprised that it had failed and apologised. They do C5 on a regular basis and told me they don't get them back after doing the work. My problem is not that it has failed a second time (well it is!) but what could be causing the end seals to fail so quick? I'm gonna speak to them Tues and i'm sure they'll take it back in to fix but not sure if there could be other underlying issues that maybe causing this? I've lost all confidence in the car and if i could afford it i would take it to some waste land and set it on fire whilst performing some cleansing ritual. Btw, the wife says this isn't practical! all or any thoughts would be kindly received.
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