C5 X7 Steering Rack - Again!

[Sloppysod]

Just looking at the repair 'Sleeve' option, there is no mention on how to fit, I would assume the best option, to overcome the pressure within the hydractive 3 system, would be to have an interference fit. Either by warming the sleeve in an oven or leaving the shaft overnight in the freezer. But I get the impression you just push it over the shaft!
Opinions, anyone?

[MattConn]

It might be worth a call to Steering Specialists in Wakefield.
If your pipe is corroded where it goes into the rack the I know they've got a fix for this.

Thanks for the reply... No luck unfortunately. Apparently they can't get hold of the pipes either, they tap out the rack and use a compression fitting as part of the Recon service, which is a bit pricey just to repair 1 inch of pipe!

[MattBLancs]

Just looking at the repair 'Sleeve' option, there is no mention on how to fit, I would assume the best option, to overcome the pressure within the hydractive 3 system, would be to have an interference fit. Either by warming the sleeve in an oven or leaving the shaft overnight in the freezer. But I get the impression you just push it over the shaft!
Opinions, anyone?

Sorry Stu, as in the repair sleeves I / Jay has mentioned?

My understanding is it is a hard, but thin, highly polished (on the outside surface) piece of stainless steel. You stick it on, a "chemical metal" type product like Belzona (which is actually a whole range of products made by the company called Belzona) with the high surface area of (nice rough corrosion pitted steel!) Column shaft and inside of the speedi sleeve being sufficient to resist the hydraulic pressure. And the other surface being ideal for the lip seal to do the same.

Or put another way, not a fix for the corroded pipes unfortunately, but a potential good candidate for the leaking pinions

[Jay-Bruce]

The speedi-sleeve is basicaly exactly as matt describes it. The chemical metal is "optional" / "discretionary" - if the area the sleeve is going to be sitting on is so badly pitted that there's a danger of the sub-millimetre thick sleeve caving into the pitting, skim it with chemical metal. Two ways to do that, one is to slide the sleeve on the shaft over the wed chemical metal, and the other is to let the chemical metal dry and then try and sand it smooth prior to sliding the sleeve over it, I prefer the former option.

[darbuck]

Hi lads is this as bad as I think it is or is it savable.do you think cleaning it up putting a sleeve on it and changing the seal would work.

[MattBLancs]

Hi lads is this as bad as I think it is or is it savable.do you think cleaning it up putting a sleeve on it and changing the seal would work.

Disclaimer / get my excuses lined up early: I've not yet had interaction with this steering rack issue or with speedi sleeves! So answer very much "based on theory"

I don't see why speedi sleeve wouldn't work - you could quite aggressively remove the rust as would not need to worry about the sealing surface. So suggested process as follows:
Rack off the car,

Pinion housing off the rack,

Pinion shaft out the housing, Don't worry about the crusty shaft dragged through the lip seal (as this seal has already failed)

Pinion shaft: angle grinder flap disk / twist knot wire wheel. Power file, etc = have at it. Suggest phosphoric acid/ Kurust or similar to neutralise what remains as best you can.

Belzona chemical metal product splodges on the shaft in approximate location of speedi sleeve.
Push speedi sleeve onto the shaft and wipe off excess Belzona before it sets.

(Let it set)

Paint rest of pinion shaft to slow down the rust?

New lip seal into pinion housing,

Reassembly of pinion housing.

Pinion housing back onto rack.

Rack back into car.

Obviously other steps like repair of the aluminium pipes, stop for a brew, etc excluded from the above

[darbuck]

Hi Matt sounds like a plan I have the luxury of access to a lathe in work so might turn it down and then speedi sleeve. I have been reading the thread but I am only on Pg 24 it's a bit of a novel.I have been avoiding this problem with all the other issues this car came with.

[Paul-R]

If you do go down the sleeve and seal route could you let us all know where you buy the parts and how much it costs? Not had the pleasure of this yet but best be prepared, mentally at least.

[darbuck]

Will do of course we're all here to help each other. I want to find a more affordable method of managing this. I'm gluton for punishment

[darbuck]

I would imagine a hydraulic workshop should be able to make up hoses.

[GiveMeABreak]

I suppose it all depends on the condition and whether there is any rust below the pinion seal. Once the rust distorts the O rings then the oil starts leaking. The internal seals are then much likely to perish once contaminated.

I still can't get over how bad the racks on the X7 are. I sold mine some time after the third rack (2 brand new OEM racks and the third bought refurbished) and after I made the boot sleeve mod. Hopefully the new owner is still rust free.

[darbuck]

Hi Marc, I've read the thread and can understand your frustration, considering your dedication to this forum I can only imagine how hard it has been for you to move away from Citroen's but given the trouble you had it's not surprising either. I hope I can save the rack I will keep you all posted on my progress. Forecast is snow this weekend so probably won't get near it until next week.as you say hopefully it's still going strong.

[MattBLancs]

If you do go down the sleeve and seal route could you let us all know where you buy the parts and how much it costs? Not had the pleasure of this yet but best be prepared, mentally at least.

Had a bit if a dig into prices (think on this thread somewhere?)

Lip seal about £2
Speedi sleeve about £20

Not prices up Belzona as yet

[darbuck]

Yeah it looks like simple enough cheap fix

[GiveMeABreak]

Still with the brand Darren, just my first non Hydropneumatic / Hydractive Citroen I have ever owned!