Technical Replacing pipes on an X250 power steering rack

[gm6vxb]

Just wondering if anyone has managed to replace all the pipework around the power steering rack on an X250.
Have an advisory on the last MOT so am looking to do it myself providing I do not have to remove the stearing subframe to get at them.
Happy to crawl under the van to do the job, and have some local suppliers who can make up pipes in copper or stainless providing I can give them the glands in reasonable condition.

Martin, GM6VXB

 

[gm6vxb]

To answer my own question, Yes you can, but not easy accessing two of the connectors toward
the top of the rack.
All others are accessable with the van raised, and a lot of patience !.

 

[GeraldHales]

To answer my own question, Yes you can, but not easy accessing two of the connectors toward
the top of the rack.
All others are accessable with the van raised, and a lot of patience !.

Thanks I am looking to do the same as needed for the mot.

 

[indianpowerplus]

Just wondering if anyone has managed to replace all the pipework around the power steering rack on an X250.
Have an advisory on the last MOT so am looking to do it myself providing I do not have to remove the stearing subframe to get at them.
Happy to crawl under the van to do the job, and have some local suppliers who can make up pipes in copper or stainless providing I can give them the glands in reasonable condition.

Martin, GM6VXB

Hi martin i also have a 250 with a slight weep around the pipes at the top of the rack and the solanoid is in the way did you ever get to replace the pipes and how did you manage it

Barry

 

[indianpowerplus]

Hi martin i also have a 250 with a slight weep around the pipes at the top of the rack and the solanoid is in the way did you ever get to replace the pipes and how did you manage it

It may even be the solanoid weeping

Barry

 

[gm6vxb]

Hi martin i also have a 250 with a slight weep around the pipes at the top of the rack and the solanoid is in the way did you ever get to replace the pipes and how did you manage it

Barry

Barry,
Before you do anything, see if you can find where the oil weep is coming from. Usually when pipework starts to weep, it will burst very soon after due to the pressure in the system.
If you want to replace pipework then firstly drain as much fluid from the header tank. Then (point of no return) cut the lowest pipe so any remaining oil drains away.
Now cut both pipes so you can get a ring spanner up onto the top connection. Not easy as you have probably seen there is not a lot of room, but patience and you should be able to loosen both connectors enough to turn them with you fingers.
Alternative to cutting pipes is to find a 'C' spanner that fits, but I did not have one so had to use the method above.

Fortunately we have some decent hydralic engineers up here near Fraserburgh who made me up the pipework using the old ends. FIAT (as usual) were no help finding replacements.

All up, the job took about four hours plus a bit more for refilling and priming the system. System seemed a bit 'bubbly' for the first few drives but settled down and 'as was' now.

 

[indianpowerplus]

Barry,
Before you do anything, see if you can find where the oil weep is coming from. Usually when pipework starts to weep, it will burst very soon after due to the pressure in the system.
If you want to replace pipework then firstly drain as much fluid from the header tank. Then (point of no return) cut the lowest pipe so any remaining oil drains away.
Now cut both pipes so you can get a ring spanner up onto the top connection. Not easy as you have probably seen there is not a lot of room, but patience and you should be able to loosen both connectors enough to turn them with you fingers.
Alternative to cutting pipes is to find a 'C' spanner that fits, but I did not have one so had to use the method above.

Fortunately we have some decent hydralic engineers up here near Fraserburgh who made me up the pipework using the old ends. FIAT (as usual) were no help finding replacements.

All up, the job took about four hours plus a bit more for refilling and priming the system. System seemed a bit 'bubbly' for the first few drives but settled down and 'as was' now.

Hi martin thanks for the reply
Fortunatly no rust on the pipework but it is moist on the solianoid but i cannot see if its a seal on the pipe fittings or the solanoid did you remove the solinaoid

 

[gm6vxb]

Hi martin thanks for the reply
Fortunatly no rust on the pipework but it is moist on the solianoid but i cannot see if its a seal on the pipe fittings or the solanoid did you remove the solinaoid

No, I could not get to the top bolt easily so left it well alone