Technical Ducato Multijet steering rack pipes?

[CamperVanBeethoven]

Hi, the long high pressure pipe on my steering rack (Ducato120 Multijet 2007) is very rusty and needs replacing.
Anyone know why new ones appear to be unavailable? (Plenty for pre 2007 Ducatos for sale)
And has anyone removed the pipes without dropping the subframe and removing the rack first?

 

[bugsymike]

Never fitted those, but have you tried searching Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay (Fiat Ducato clones) of same era?
As a last resort hydraulic hose companies that do tractor hoses etc.as I have had them make up steam cleaner hoses running at 2500psi plus. They can often use the existing end fittings if specialised.

 

[jackwhoo]

Hi,
I'm not seeing rusty at all.
Coat it with grease and it will last decades.
J

 

[bugsymike]

Hi,
I'm not seeing rusty at all.
Coat it with grease and it will last decades.
J

Unless we are not seeing the worst part, I have certainly seen pipes with more rust in regular use.

 

[jackwhoo]

Unless we are not seeing the worst part, I have certainly seen pipes with more rust in regular use.

Me too dare I mention ....transit

 

[bugsymike]

Me too dare I mention ....transit

I had several Ford Transits in the past before migrating to Iveco Daily's for their separate chassis, I won't say they didn't rust, but not to the same extent.

 

[CamperVanBeethoven]

Never fitted those, but have you tried searching Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Relay (Fiat Ducato clones) of same era?
As a last resort hydraulic hose companies that do tractor hoses etc.as I have had them make up steam cleaner hoses running at 2500psi plus. They can often use the existing end fittings if specialised.

Thankyou, Mike.
These steel pipes have an unusual push fit on one end which I imagine has a pressed flange in the pipe itself for that steel collar in the photo to bear against to seal.
I wonder if that's why no-one seems to make aftermarket copies.

 

[CamperVanBeethoven]

Hi,
I'm not seeing rusty at all.
Coat it with grease and it will last decades.

Ah, I took that photo to show the unusual fittings at the top (pinion) end. The main length of the pipe which runs horizontally along the rack is very very rusty indeed.

 

[CamperVanBeethoven]

If I can get tools in to those tight corners and remove the pipe - what next?
Can't imagine a breaker's going to want to make a rack unsaleable to sell me a pipe off it... but can't find a new one for sale.

Example pic of the pipe and rack.

And that unusual top fitting again:

 

[CamperVanBeethoven]

Ah. here we are - someone is remanufacturing them.
But I'm not paying that price. (Pre-2006 Parts are £35 a pair!)

 

[bugsymike]

Sounds more than a bit greedy of them. It may still be worth asking at Hydraulic pipe makers, they do lots for rams on diggers etc. and make all sorts of ends on steel pipes.
Speak to a local farmer and ask them where they go, they often use these specialist services.
Have you tried the Peugeot/Citroen route?