C5 X7 Steering Rack - Again!

[wheeler]

No, LHD & RHD use different steering racks.

[osx]

Replaced today - just in time as with the higher temperatures the leakage was getting worse. Worth refurbishing the old rack or just sell it?

[Hell Razor5543]

I would get it properly refurbished (ideally with the problem part chrome plated; there are refurbishment companies who will do this) and then either keep it for the future (just in case) or sell it on (the refurbishment company might buy it from you, if it is not too far gone, as they will need to replenish their stock).

[osx]

This will be my last X7 so don't think I will need another rack unless this one fails within the next 6 months.
Does £200 for refurbishment sound reasonable?

[GiveMeABreak]

Considering a new rack for your X7 is now £1650 and an exchange is about £990, I think that would be quite reasonable. I doubt you'd have many problems selling a newly refurbished one either as they are still quite hard to get.

[Paul_719_AB]

Can someone post some details about where this common leak is on the rack please. I have a leak but can't decide if it is the pipework from the header or the rack itself.

[Peter.N.]

Pinion bearing, comes to top of housing and runs down the side.

Peter

[Stickyfinger]

Can someone post some details about where this common leak is on the rack please. I have a leak but can't decide if it is the pipework from the header or the rack itself.

Removing the small cover at the bottom of the steering column is the best way to check the pinion bearing... 15 min job.

[Paul_719_AB]

Thanks for the info will look later. Seems likely it is the pinion although HP pipe very corroded (4014PA). Any thoughts on a source for the pipe please.
Paul

[KennyW]

Paul,

HP pipes are extremely hard to get hold even from the stealers. Is this corrosion on the pipe going into the steering rack pinion ?
If so a good clean up, check for for weeping etc. If okay it can be reused along with new seal.
Kenny

[Jay-Bruce]

Having replaced the seals in a couple of steering racks (but not Citroen) and watched that video, I would say that a careful worker could remove the pinion assembly and repair the shaft without any special tools.

I would not remove the rack shaft or touch its seals, these are easy to damage during reassembly.

If the pinion shaft is keyed (as apparently was the one in the video), then it should be replaced with the same tooth engaged in the rack, which takes a bit of prior measurement and planning.

Don't attempt to dismantle or adjust the pinion valve components (other than removing the assembly from the tower housing), the adjustment does require special equipment. Be careful not to damage the nylon seal rings around the valve assembly, especially when reassembling.

Wise words...

[Jay-Bruce]

The specialist tools wouldn't be needed to just strip out the pinion shaft. The hardest part of the job would be successfully turning down the shaft on a lathe so it could take a Speedi-sleeve, and also lining it all back up correctly so the shaft goes in and has the correct alignment once it's back in its housing. Correct torque settings and adjustments might prove a bit hit 'n' miss though It'd be critical to mark up the relative positions of the components before disassembly so they could go back spot on in the right position.

Speedi shafts dond really need preping in a lathe, if you machine the shaft you don't need to sleeve it as it's already smooth all round. The purpose of a sleeve is to save you needing to machine it, if there's pitting, the prescribed methodology is to skim the shaft with metal laden epoxy such as belzona, slide the sleeve over the belzona, let the belzona cure, remove the excess with fine emery cloth, then reassemble.

[Jay-Bruce]

Slice off...


Round file away the thin rib...


Remains of the lump will help keep gaiter - and a clip - in place.

Just an idea.
Thanks for posting all the extra photos.

I shared those thoughts, Bobbins has kindly sent me the pinion housing and some power steering pipework to study, and the minute I een the pinion housing, I had exactly the same ideas as you.

[Jay-Bruce]

I was wondering whether a 3D printed purpose-designed gaiter for the X7 pinion might be possible, and whether anyone here could tackle it? Ideally it should encase the original side 'lump'.

A 3D scan of the relevant bit of the rack might establish the internals of a gaiter, together with a specified wall thickness. Polyurethane? I'm no expert on this.

Excellent thinking, again.

[Jay-Bruce]

Not keen on the use of compression fittings for these high-pressure pipes, which also have to contend with a certain amount of hydraulic pulsing. Such fittings (if with compression olives) are prohibited for use on vehicle brake systems.

As discussed here before, fitting a protective gaiter to the pinion bearing housing would have been a wise move.

Such a design is the go to in industrial hydraulics, google swagelock or parker A-Lock.