Leaking PAS steering rack gaitor

[jamesisatweeter]

So after introducing myself on the new members page, my first post is a big problem.
I noticed I had a leak and after jacking the car up there is a crack in the steering rack gaiter on the passenger side. There's power steering fluid leaking out. I've topped up approx 0.5l of pas fluid in 24 hours. It's clearly not weeping but it's not pouring out either. I know to keep it topped up in the meantime to prevent damage to the pump and steering rack.

My question is this; can I replace the gaiter, hope it contains the fluid and everyone lives happily ever after? Or is it more sinister where the seal has gone and I need to replace the whole steering rack? Is there maybe a possibility of just replacing the seal?

Hopefully it's the first option as I wouldn't have noticed the problem had the crack in the gaitor not appeared.

I've been checking ebay for used and reconditioned parts and some are actually quite reasonable.

Can anyone recommend a good specialist in the northwest who's not going to rip me off? Having spoke to various garages and having a different answer from them all I've lost faith in whatever solution standard garage will offer.

I've had the car less than 4 weeks and yes there's warranty and consumer rights but that's a whole different avenue I'm currently exploring as the dealer wants nothing to do with it.

Thanks for your help peeps.

 

[NorthloopCup]

So after introducing myself on the new members page, my first post is a big problem.
I noticed I had a leak and after jacking the car up there is a crack in the steering rack gaiter on the passenger side. There's power steering fluid leaking out. I've topped up approx 0.5l of pas fluid in 24 hours. It's clearly not weeping but it's not pouring out either. I know to keep it topped up in the meantime to prevent damage to the pump and steering rack.

My question is this; can I replace the gaiter, hope it contains the fluid and everyone lives happily ever after? Or is it more sinister where the seal has gone and I need to replace the whole steering rack? Is there maybe a possibility of just replacing the seal?

Hopefully it's the first option as I wouldn't have noticed the problem had the crack in the gaitor not appeared.

I've been checking ebay for used and reconditioned parts and some are actually quite reasonable.

Can anyone recommend a good specialist in the northwest who's not going to rip me off? Having spoke to various garages and having a different answer from them all I've lost faith in whatever solution standard garage will offer.

I've had the car less than 4 weeks and yes there's warranty and consumer rights but that's a whole different avenue I'm currently exploring as the dealer wants nothing to do with it.

Thanks for your help peeps.

Hi and welcome to the club! I'm afraid to say your going to be replacing the entire steering rack if fluid is leaking from the rack boot.

 

[jamesisatweeter]

Thanks for your reply northloopcup. I've got the car booked in tomorrow. Not what I wanted to hear but that can't be helped. Hopefully (although not likely) this will be the end of any major problems.

 

[Budgie]

Yep, if fluid is coming out of the gaitor then you've got bigger issues than just the gaitor unfortunately