[wagenman]

Ok several people including me :GL seem to have a leaking Power Steering Rack so i thought i would show how to remove the Rack ready for repair or replacment.

First get it jacked up and on heavy duty stands SAFTEY FIRST!!! I won't be held responsible if you get squashed!!!

Take off the front wheels

Undo clips or cables ties and slide back the rubber boots (some fluid may come out so put a container under to catch it!)

Using a spanner or big grips undo inner tie rod counter clockwise for both sides

Here they are removed

This is the rack with inner rod removed from it oil leaks from around here

Next get underneith and locate where the steering column meets the rack you will see a rubber boot

Push it up to expose universal joint

Mark the orientation between the joint and the plastic collar (tipex is good for this), then take out the bolt and push/wiggle the joint upwards (it will not come right off at this point untill rack moved)

Undo the 8mm bolt holding pipes to rack

Next undo the hydraulic pipes from the rack pinion (two 17mm nuts), again catch the oil!!

Push the pipes rearwards out the way

Now locate the 4 bolts that hold the rack to the subframe (16mm head 2 per side)

Once these are out move the rack to the nearside to fully remove the lower column UJ from rack pinion shaft, then move rack forword and bring offside of rack down 1st between subframe and engine

Thats all there is too it:ILU: Here's mine next job is to clean up and strip down i have located instructions to do this via this link;

Non servotronic ( no elecrical connection to rack)

http://forum.bmwland.ru/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=26966

With servotronic (if it was ever fitted to T4 not sure:*)

http://forum.bmwland.ru/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=26967

Its from a BMW fourum but i think you will find that your rack is listed just check the plate on the rack, as you can see mine is the 7852 type;

All the best, Hope fully will add the strip down here too wish me luck :gl

:mw

 

[andyagl]

Re: How to remove steering rack for rebuild or replacment

cant see any pictures mate.

 

[wagenman]

Re: How to remove steering rack for rebuild or replacment

Can't answer you why, i can see them ok on PC and phone just rechecked

 

[JIMMYJAMES]

Re: How to remove steering rack for rebuild or replacment

Nice little guide there bud T:T:T: I have moved it to Technical articles where it can be found easilly for future reference T:T:T:T:

 

[lynsey444]

No pics either :*

 

[wagenman]

CheersT: I forgot to add that the seal kits are available from here,

http://www.autosuppliers.co.uk/

Just give them the rack number usually in stock got mine in around 3 daysA:

Got new bushes for rack mounts from TPS worth doing when rack is out

 

[gusto]

U make it sound so easy , yet I had to drop the subframe to get my rack out and new one in

 

[atrammo]

Thanks, this is very helpful.A:

 

[tots]

Hi, just replaced my steering rack using this guide, brilliant, thanks

 

[taffbrown]

wish mine was that easy same as abovr had to drop my sub frame a right pain but done now

 

[mracwalker]

I have to remove my rack too, are the instructions the same for a 1997 rhd multivan 2.5tdi acv?

 

[gazp2001]

Great info and pics, thanks. Did mine this weekend, got it out just like the pics said but I wouldn't underestimate the effort in getting this job done.
The hydraulic lines are a pain to remove, tight space and been fitted since new make them a bugger, I recommend getting hold of some 17mm pipe spanners and be prepared for losing some knuckle skin.
I also had to fight the four bolts holding the rack to the frame, mine has got t50 torx bolts and they were very well in there, new torx socket required after bending the first one.
It's definitely a DIY job for the amatuer mechanic (that'll be me then) but it took me two days to fight the bolts and pipes off. Rebuilt took an hour A:T:

 

[mushroom]

Used the guide to remove my rack although I had to do mine in a different order.
I had to use some 14" stillsons to undo the inner tie rods as they were stuck fast
I took all the 16mm mounting bolts out bolts out before I undid the pipes as my caravelle has rear heating and the pipes run down the left hand side close to the rack pinion. Then slid the rack to the right so I could get to the pipes

I bought a thumb ratchet to get the 16mm bolts out as they were too loose for a normal ratchet and too tight for my fingers.
It made this part a doddle

The steering rack bushes were shot to pieces, it might be an idea to change them when you pull the rack out anyway

 

[enwsparks]

Hi,
This seems fantastic. The one only part I'm thinking for me is removing the rack after it is detached! I have a 03 plate 2.45TDI T4. Will I have to drop the subframe or won't I have to with a bit of a struggle? Also how long did this job take? (I will double the time scale as I'm a first timer!)

Thanks alot,
Ell

 

[KBSteering]

When fitting the replacement steering rack. Make sure you tighten both tie rods at the time.

The rack bar can twist if fitted incorrectly, and turning your rack into a piece of scrap

 

[hillshy]

Just adding my pence worth from something that I found out recently. I had a totally different reason to swap my PS rack out on my 2000 2.5tdi but I used a 1.9td rack it had different part numbers but it fitted fine and works fine.

 

[t4gwaun]

Brilliant followed it every steep and everything went great the only thing I had trouble with was getting the gaiters back on at the large end, but after a lot of thinking I turned the rime back on its self them pushed it up tight and rolled the rim back on many thanks for your thread. ?????????Paul (t4gwaun)

 

[MUNGAI]

I have been pondering all week long wondering if it is at all possible to remove the SR without dropping the subframe until I came across this post. I thought it was possible but I needed this confirmation. Thanks for the brilliant post. I will attempt to replace my one this weekend.

 

[sprite1275]

this needs doing on mine. Wheres the best place for a recon or a good garage in the midlands area ?