_s4q1_

Active Member
Sep 14, 2025
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Hey everyone!

New to the community here, have a bit of a head scratcher for you lot.

I bought a 2005 SEAT Leon Cupra R MK1 a week ago. It's sitting on 172k with full service history. Was also an ex police car. It's been driving perfectly fine. Checked at a garage and no leaks or anything.

I took it for a wheel alignment at Maidenhead Tyres and they advised they couldn't do it because the track rods had seized up and I should replace. On the invoice it states they applied heat to try loosen the parts, but no luck.

Since that appointment, my car has now suddenly started leaking power steering fluid. There's a really loud noise when turning the steering too. The power steering pump is perfectly fine however seems like there's a leak towards the back of the engine bay driver side.

I had breakdown come down and they advised it seems to be leaking from the steering rack, however he couldn't confirm 100%.

I wanted to ask, what do you lot think the leak is coming from before I get the car ramped up? Could it be one of the hoses, or is it the steering rack?

If it is the steering rack, would one from a standard Cupra fit the Cupra R? I know the Cupra R has a quick rack.

Since this, I've filled up the power steering reservoir and the noise is gone, but I haven't driven it and it's still slowly leaking from the bottom.

I've attached a few pictures, they may help. You can see the small puddle, let me know what you lot think it could be!
 

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Hi. I had similar leak when I was in Germany. You will constantly loose fluid and sound will come back. I dont remember if it was leaking from sensor or hose.
It would not surprise me if they damaged hose while heating rods :rolleyes:
 
If you peer right at the back of the engine you should be to see some pipes and the rack and see if anything is leaking on the right hand side at least
 
Hi. I had similar leak when I was in Germany. You will constantly loose fluid and sound will come back. I dont remember if it was leaking from sensor or hose.
It would not surprise me if they damaged hose while heating rods :rolleyes:
Eeeek!

I hope it's not a major part that needs replacing. I'll be getting it ramped up today to see where it's leaking from exactly. Here's to hoping it's not the steering rack haha.

Yeah seems like they damaged something, however I'll know this evening hopefully!
 
If you peer right at the back of the engine you should be to see some pipes and the rack and see if anything is leaking on the right hand side at least
Weirdly enough I can't see anything leaking on the right side, however towards the back of the engine right at the back on the left (driver side) there's a small puddle of fluid on the bottom cover
 
Seems like it's the steering rack that needs replacing 😭 I can see the fluid leaking from the boot when turning the steering wheel left!

Seems to be leaking a lot.

Would a standard MK1 Leon Cupra rack fit the Cupra R?
 
Leaking from the steering rack driver side boot unfortunately. If anyone knows where I can get a quick rack for the Cupra R, please let me know as looking to sort as soon as possible!
 

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Hello all! Just a quick update, I managed to find a new quick rack, this is currently being fitted and hopefully the car should be ready tomorrow! Thanks for all your help!
 
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The steering rack has been replaced and car is driving sweet! Getting the wheel alignment done right now and we should be all sorted! Fluid was leaking out of the top reservoir cap itself but I believe that's because of the pressure in the system so after a nice drive it should be all good!

Hopefully many many miles left in this little beast!

Thanks for all of yours help, much appreciated SEAT family ❤️
 

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