leaking steering rack

[jpgreenwood]

My daily (2004 Audi A4 Avant Quattro sport 1.9TDI) has a leaking steering rack and needs sorting PDQ. My driver footwell carpet is soaking with oil and not nice. Can anyone advise on price of repair, spares dealers, complexity of job etc. Its not an easy fix by the sounds of it. I want it done properly but I dont want ripping off.

[mikeybutch]

How would fluid get on the drivers footwell?

[spartacus 68]

Link here for B5 model - although in principle it should be the same for B6. Looks like a <removed> of a job... and tie-rod ends will probably be seized for good measure. http://www.audiworld.com/tech/misc-40.shtml
You can opt for a new steering rack from Audi (take Valium first), opt to have yours overhauled, get an exchange unit, or source part second-hand, such as www.breakeryard.com

[jpgreenwood]

The rack is leaking where the column meets it, and then oil is running through the foam doughnut and into the footwell behind the pedals where the column goes though the bulkhead.

[jpgreenwood]

Got a quote from a local VW/Audi specialist garage for £400 + VAT for a recon rack part exchange, 1 yr warranty, fully fitted and tracking set. I think that sounds like a good deal.

[simon hare]

I had a leaky rack on my vw and used stop leak by lucas (£10). The leak halted almost immediately and i only have a little weaping a year on, i have never had to top up the fluid since. I dont normally endorse these quick fix products but this one seems to have done the trick, or a least its a stop gap if money is tight.