P/S Leaking fluid

[deeb]

Does anyone have any experience of using a stop leak solution in an A4, I don't want to have to change the whole rack if I can help it?

I'm fairly sure it's the seals as the fluids coming through the bushes.

[deeb]

If anyone's interested, I put in the stop leak yesterday, and after about 50miles of driving the squeaks stopped so as a short term fix it works alright.
Also spoke to the local audi specialist who said that sometimes when they've been run on the wrong type of fluid changing back to the mineral stuff can loosen up the seals and sort out the problem (might take a couple of weeks). It's an outside chance, but it could save you, or at least delay, the £400+ of getting a new rack fitted.

[audimad]

good news, i have a rack here to fit into a mates car as his leaks too. He bought some of that Lucas stop leak stuff, not sure what the outcome was yet though

[deeb]

It still seems to be doing the job, but I'm going to totally flush the system on the weekend and switch back to the recommended mineral stuff. Although it claims to be compatible with all steering fluids, I'm just a bit paranoid that left in it could soften the seals too much.
Let me know how your mate got on, hope you don't have to go through the arseache of changing his.

[audimad]

His hasnt worked, so i have a rack to change on Wednesday now, BOOOOOO !!!

[rhencullen1989]

Its not too bad a job, its just quite a tight fit and a bit fiddly to get out. You don't have to remove any suspension components (the haynes manual says to remove suspension,but not needed) the rack comes out of the drivers side wheel arch, worst bit on mine was the bolt inside the car where the rack joins the steering column, its a eccentric cam bolt so once you have removed the nut the bolt needs to be turned clockwise to release it, took me ages to work out and nearly ended with a sheared bolt!!!!, worth using vernier and measuring each position of the track rod end before removing them. Hope this is of help.:approve:

[audimad]

BRILLIANT Thank you, i printed the Etos How to, its 9 bloody pages,lol