Steering Rack Leak

[james berkeley]

I've been advised by my VAG garage that the steering rack on my 2013 Ibiza 1.2 has a leak (@ 26,000 miles). They quote just under £1,000 + VAT (sic) for a replacement steering rack - plus labour to fit of course...... Apparently it's a sealed unit, so even if it's just a seal, the whole thing has to be replaced :-(

Seems a bit early for a leak to develop - and extremely steep price for a replacement rack. Note the leak is not the PAS, but the rack itself.

Just wondering if this is a known problem, or what other options I might have (a second-hand one might be a possibility?)

 

[dm222]

you can buy one if you have someone to fit:

Car without ESP
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/trw-869530.html

Car with ESP
http://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/trw-7071593.html


What were the symptoms by the way? Is the leak internal or external, does the oil comes off, or the leak is the internal seal?

 

[james berkeley]

Thanks for the reply - a bit cheaper than £1,000!!!

I don't know the nature of the leak exactly, the dealer just said they saw a very small amount of oil on the outside of the unit. When I suggested a seal might be the problem they said "probably - but you have to replace the whole unit...". When pushed, they said "let's just keep an eye on it..." so maybe not as bad as they originally suggested (it was reported as a "critical" problem on their "free" safety check)...

Strikes me the "free" check is just an excuse to try and cajole people into paying lots of money unnecessarily.....

I will keep an eye on it as suggested.....

 

[dm222]

do you have any symptoms or they just notice during the checkup?

 

[james berkeley]

Just noticed in the check-up. Car is driving fine!