Power Steering leak, but where??

kpick4 · 01-09-2004, 11:59 AM

My power steering consumes 6 - 8 oz of fluid a week. I had an independent and the dealer look for the leak but neither could find it. The dealer wants $1,500 to place the rack, but if he cannot find the leak there is no guarantee that wiil fix it.

Anybody have any ideas??

'98 A8 4.2
94,000 miles on the car, 4,000 on the engine, 4,000 since tranny rebuild.

KaMaKaZieP -ALUMIN8- · 01-09-2004, 01:07 PM

Look at the ps pump then follow the high pressure line into the tube like part of the frame.. it goes down the the rack.. this pipe usually leaks from withing the foam type surround.. try pulling the surround back a few inches it should all be gushing out.

kpick4 · 01-10-2004, 02:41 AM

Thanks for the tip.

KMU · 01-10-2004, 04:45 AM

leaking at the clamp at the resevoir. That allowed fluid to seep down the underside of the hose and drip onto the anti-lock brake unit. At first, I thought a brake unit seal or line had gone bad. A simple re-clamp of the connection at the resevoir cured it for me. Good luck.

gondar · 01-10-2004, 08:12 AM

If there is no fluid ouside, anywhere, after careful examination I imagine you will find it if you loosen a rack boot.

The place below sells racks for $425 but I know nothing about them. Perhaps someone can advise you.

http://www.buy-steering.com/parts/Audi.htm

skiracer · 01-10-2004, 07:45 PM

is a LOT of fluid- it HAS to be visible somewhere under the car! I purchased a rebuilt rack for $400 and replaced it myself- 5 hours of pure hell! I wouldn't recommend doing the rack yourself unless you are a really good mechanic and a masochist. However, $1100 for 5 hours work is pretty good pay......
Have your mechanic check both outer ends of the steering rack- I bet that's where your leak is if the hoses are all OK.

kpick4 · 01-12-2004, 07:51 AM

My bet is you are correct. I have some drippage under the right end, but only a few drops a night. I definitely have an acrid smell from the right wheel well when I pull in to garage. My guess is a pin hole sparying up onto the exhaust manifold during high pressure build ups ( turning into my garage?) I can buy a lot of fluid for the price of fixing this leak. My big concern is what other damage is it causing and will I eventually get a catastrophic failure of the steering - not a good thing.

01-09-2004, 01:07 PM	#2
KaMaKaZieP -ALUMIN8- Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,101	there is a high pressure hose that runs into the frame of the car. Look at the ps pump then follow the high pressure line into the tube like part of the frame.. it goes down the the rack.. this pipe usually leaks from withing the foam type surround.. try pulling the surround back a few inches it should all be gushing out. __________________ -Jack 2006 Chrysler 300C 5.7 AWD 97 A8q 123k miles (GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN) --ALUMIN8-- 300HP and 3.06 Ghz of power Normal by day Stealth By night

01-10-2004, 02:41 AM	#3
kpick4 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 27	Dry, unfortunately Thanks for the tip.

01-10-2004, 04:45 AM	#4
KMU New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 402	On my car, the P/Steering return hose was barely leaking at the clamp at the resevoir. That allowed fluid to seep down the underside of the hose and drip onto the anti-lock brake unit. At first, I thought a brake unit seal or line had gone bad. A simple re-clamp of the connection at the resevoir cured it for me. Good luck.

01-10-2004, 08:12 AM	#5
gondar Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 413	Re: Dry, unfortunately If there is no fluid ouside, anywhere, after careful examination I imagine you will find it if you loosen a rack boot. The place below sells racks for $425 but I know nothing about them. Perhaps someone can advise you. http://www.buy-steering.com/parts/Audi.htm

01-10-2004, 07:45 PM	#6
skiracer AudiWorld Senior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,668	My rack was leaking out the passenger side. 6-8 oz./week.... is a LOT of fluid- it HAS to be visible somewhere under the car! I purchased a rebuilt rack for $400 and replaced it myself- 5 hours of pure hell! I wouldn't recommend doing the rack yourself unless you are a really good mechanic and a masochist. However, $1100 for 5 hours work is pretty good pay...... Have your mechanic check both outer ends of the steering rack- I bet that's where your leak is if the hoses are all OK.

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01-12-2004, 07:51 AM	#7
kpick4 New Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 27	Re: My rack was leaking out the passenger side. 6-8 oz./week.... My bet is you are correct. I have some drippage under the right end, but only a few drops a night. I definitely have an acrid smell from the right wheel well when I pull in to garage. My guess is a pin hole sparying up onto the exhaust manifold during high pressure build ups ( turning into my garage?) I can buy a lot of fluid for the price of fixing this leak. My big concern is what other damage is it causing and will I eventually get a catastrophic failure of the steering - not a good thing.

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01-12-2004, 07:51 AM
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