Replace rack or replace car

KAZ0077

Hi All,
As expected my Fabia failed the NCT on its leaky steering rack. I have read that its impossible to replace the seals that the only real soultion is to replace the rack but I have seen some stuff called "Lucas Oil" that supposedly seals up leaks in steering racks....is this correct?

It will be very costly to replace the rack I am told and I am not sure if its worth it on a ten year old car with 120k miles on the clock. (1198 cc)
Have owned the car from new and it has never given me a minutes trouble so would be sorry to see it go if it became too expensive to repair.

Any thought or opinions?
Cheers,

Ronnie Beck

KAZ0077 wrote: »

Hi All,
As expected my Fabia failed the NCT on its leaky steering rack. I have read that its impossible to replace the seals that the only real soultion is to replace the rack but I have seen some stuff called "Lucas Oil" that supposedly seals up leaks in steering racks....is this correct?

It will be very costly to replace the rack I am told and I am not sure if its worth it on a ten year old car with 120k miles on the clock. (1198 cc)
Have owned the car from new and it has never given me a minutes trouble so would be sorry to see it go if it became too expensive to repair.

Any thought or opinions?
Cheers,

You could try the additive but they generally only work for minor leaks. Clean the rack up then right before the test. Make sure the fluid is topped up.

If the leaks bad you could try source one from a scrapyard
and have an independant mechanic fit it. The same part might be
fitted to polos and ibiza's. What year model is it?

bitburger

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Steering-Rack-for-Skoda-Fabia-99-08-/300896535736 is that what your looking for?

not sure on the exact fitting or anything but it looks like a pretty straightforward enough job for an indy mechanic?

if youve had as many trouble free miles as you say and the total job ends up at like €650 id be very inclined to go for it*

*650 is an estimate i just pulled out of me bum so dont price at that i know nothing about fabias

KAZ0077

Its a Fabia 1.2 HTP 2003 Reg.
It is serviced on the button every 10k miles, perhaps why I haven't had any trouble with it.

I am just wondering, with it being a small engine and having high enough miles on it, would I get much more out of it and would I be better of replacing it now before more stuff starts to wear out?

Am getting a price off my mechanic today, am trying to see if he can get a replacement rack from scrapped car to keep costs down.

Henry Ford III

Why not get the seals replaced?

KAZ0077

Sorry, I am completely ignorant of most things "Car" and didnt know this was an option. I just thought that it was a complete rack change.

Another option to look at, thanks.

Henry Ford III

KAZ0077 wrote: »

Sorry, I am completely ignorant of most things "Car" and didnt know this was an option. I just thought that it was a complete rack change.

Another option to look at, thanks.

No bother. A decent engineering shop should be easily able to replace some seals.

Moanin

KAZ0077 wrote: »

Hi All,
As expected my Fabia failed the NCT on its leaky steering rack. I have read that its impossible to replace the seals that the only real soultion is to replace the rack but I have seen some stuff called "Lucas Oil" that supposedly seals up leaks in steering racks....is this correct?

It will be very costly to replace the rack I am told and I am not sure if its worth it on a ten year old car with 120k miles on the clock. (1198 cc)
Have owned the car from new and it has never given me a minutes trouble so would be sorry to see it go if it became too expensive to repair.

Any thought or opinions?
Cheers,

Don't go near that lucas sh*te. I had a similar problem on a car a while back and it made the problem worse. You could pick up a rack from a breaker and it wouldn't cost you that much?

KAZ0077

Thanks, I have got a quote this afternoon from a guy to replace the rack from a breakers yard, €400, all in. So am happy enough with that.

Thanks guys, appreciate all the comments

OldmanMondeo

There are 2 different type of racks on these, with and without a speed sensor. You should be able to get a reconditioned one, but you will need to find out which one you need. I can't remember the price of a recon, thinking around €500. Could be less. Ask you local motor factors to price one and see.