Power Steering - What Causes Leaks?

[paulrockliffe]

Power Steering packed in some months ago, garage replaced the pump, then the rack, which was leaking out of the end. It leaked again, went back and they'd not fitted new seals on the pipework, so that was done.

Then the rack started leaking out of the end again and was replaced a couple of weeks ago. Drove it home, hasn't moved since as it's for sale. Moved it just now because two people want to buy it and it's leaking out of the end of the rack again, the power steering is doing nothing, though I can hear the pump whirring.

This is the third rack with the same issue. The garage mumbled something about it having to go back to the manufacturer if it happened again, but I'm struggling to understand what the issue could be.

It's a closed system isn't it - pump, pipes and rack? They've replaced everything other than the pipes, so surely either they've used junk parts or cocked up the fitting and it just needs some none-junk fitting properly? Or what am I missing?

Ta

[davetrombone]

There are some very poorly "reconditioned" steering racks around. New gaiters and a lick of paint is about as far as they get.

[Penelope Stopit]

New seal, seal leaks, speaks for itself, new seal damaged or incorrectly fitted or surface of material that runs through the seal is damaged

[stevieturbo]

paulrockliffe said:

It's a closed system isn't it - pump, pipes and rack? They've replaced everything other than the pipes, so surely either they've used junk parts or cocked up the fitting and it just needs some none-junk fitting properly? Or what am I missing?

Ta

Pretty much.

So what age is the vehicle ? what is the vehicle ? and were dealer OEM parts used, or aftermarket of some sort ?

[paulrockliffe]

Both new racks were new non-OEM, it's a 2011 Vauxhall Zafira. The seal leaking was caused by them not replacing some o-rings as they should have on the pipes, but both racks have leaked from whatever the end seal is, I would assume that came fitted from the manufacturer rather than something the garage could have messed up.

Is it possible the power steering pump is blowing the seals by over-pressurising the system?

I guess what I want to know is, is two racks bad luck and I'm OK to sell it as soon as it's fixed again, or do I need to drive it for a bit and make sure it's not something else that's the problem. I can't see what else it would be.

It's almost worth getting a refund from the garage and scrapping it, there's not a lot in it. I'd probably be inclined to do that except I know they'll refuse to refund the labour and the pump that isn't broken (But also didn't need to be replaced in the first place) and the fight will be a hassle.

[Pastor Of Muppets]

Maybe unlikely with yours but I've repaired a heap of power steering fluid leaks that was found to be coming from the P/S pressure sensor,
the join where the plastic connects to the metal deteriorates, can often be hard to spot. Yours sounds like the seals in the rack though.

[stevieturbo]

paulrockliffe said:

Both new racks were new non-OEM, it's a 2011 Vauxhall Zafira. The seal leaking was caused by them not replacing some o-rings as they should have on the pipes, but both racks have leaked from whatever the end seal is, I would assume that came fitted from the manufacturer rather than something the garage could have messed up.

Is it possible the power steering pump is blowing the seals by over-pressurising the system?

I guess what I want to know is, is two racks bad luck and I'm OK to sell it as soon as it's fixed again, or do I need to drive it for a bit and make sure it's not something else that's the problem. I can't see what else it would be.

It's almost worth getting a refund from the garage and scrapping it, there's not a lot in it. I'd probably be inclined to do that except I know they'll refuse to refund the labour and the pump that isn't broken (But also didn't need to be replaced in the first place) and the fight will be a hassle.

I guess it is possible a seal could blow from overpressure....but with a new pump etc...that seems unlikely. Although even normally the systems do operate at a few thousand psi.. So high pressures are normal.

But a lot of the time spurious replacement or re-con parts....are just never that great. I'd be inclined to go new OEM, or known good used original parts.

but any thing other than new OEM does make life difficult for all involved. Most customers will not want to pay the price for new OEM, but then the garage can get into all sorts of hassle when fitting cheaper re-con parts if things turn bad as they get blamed whether they are to blame or not.
Although one would hope these scenarios are explained when parts/repair options are given to the customer in the first place.

[paulrockliffe]

stevieturbo said:

I'd be inclined to go new OEM, or known good used original parts.

Most customers will not want to pay the price for new OEM, but then the garage can get into all sorts of hassle when fitting cheaper re-con parts if things turn bad as they get blamed whether they are to blame or not.

Thanks, maybe you're right on the OEM parts, but it's a car worth under £2k that's just had £1k spent on the non-OEM option that I don't need anymore.

I don't know the ins and outs of OEM vs Non-OEM and that's really for the garage to look after isn't it. I'd expect there to be no money in making steering racks that leak because garage's wouldn't fit them, they're going to have to take the car to bits for the 3rd time for no money this week.

The conversation was no more than "Failed MOT on pump/rack, it's £1000 to fix it." "fk, OK." Now I've spend a grand, it's not fixed and I still can't sell the car, it's for the garage to put that right. If the racks are all junk they might be better off paying for a new OEM rack instead, but if they can't fix it I'd rather have a refund than put more money into it.