Technical steering rack

[wish mine was orange]

My 1600 cabrio just fail MOT and one of the jobs is the steering rack gaiters are split. Not having done this job before thought I would have a go.

After taking track rod ends of I then remove gaiter when all of a sudden a huge pool of oil hit the drive. (nice mess:yuck Question is should this have happened or should I have drained the power steering first as I presume that this oil is sterring fluid? Or is this some other issuse?

 

[renaultvation]

I suspect this may be another issue. I have just checked my manual and you have done everything correctly so far. In theory, the only lubricant you should encounter is lithium-based molybdenum grease. If the gaiter was split, why hadn't this oil already drained away?

 

[wish mine was orange]

thanks it looks like the main seal gone in the rack.

Has anyone replaced the rack, easy or hard job?
any help would be grateful

 

[dave]

ive only taken them off that was quite easy but had no engine or box in at the time. i think its still in the shed too

 

[DaveMcT]

If it has hydraulic power steering I guess its hydraulic oil and the seals must have failed. The gaiters wont contain any oil pressure.

A non power steering or electric rack might contain some oil to lubricate the rack & pinion, but only a pint or so.