Power Steering Fluid Loss

[greg124]

I am losing power steering fluid from the drivers side of the rack. On full right lock it squirts out at a fair rate of knots.
I understand that the boot is there primarily to keep dust/muck out.
Is there an inner seal on the end of the rack which I can replace, and if so where can I get hold of one?

Thanks in advance

[BMG]

There is multiple seals in a rack which will require a full strip and rebuild. BMW sells rebuild kits and you can get aftermarket stuff like Febi branded kits if you were going to attempt it yourself.
See here for what a full strip and rebuild looks like. http://www.bmw-sport.pl/viewtopic.php?f ... &start=140

[greg124]

Crikey - that looks like a full days work

Thanks BMG

[ChrisHC]

Sounds like an opportunity to fit a higher gear rack, which is a big improvement.

[greg124]

Would that be a rack from another, possibly newer model Chris?
If so which would be best?

[Brianmoooore]

That would be a 'purple tag' E46 rack these days. E36 and Z3 racks also fit.
The rack itself fits straight in easily enough, but the hydraulic pipes and linkage to the steering column need modifying.
Plenty on the zone about this mod. and I'm sure it's in the wiki.
DanThe can supply a range of bits to make fitting easier.

[greg124]

Thanks Brian.
Do the E36 and Z3 racks also require these modifications?

[Brianmoooore]

Yes. They vary slightly, but need the mods. in the same areas.

[greg124]

Cheers Brian.
I shall have to start hunting for a rack now.

[greg124]

Have now acquired a Saab 900 for daily driver, which gives me the breathing space to take the E30 off the road for a while, dismantle the steering rack and measure the seals which would image will all be standard metric seals and hopefully available off the shelf if I hunt on the net.
If I can't find suitable seals then there is still the new/second hand rack route.

Will report back on progress, just don't hold your breath as there is now no urgency.

[DanThe]

Definitely see if you can have a drive of one with an E46 rack before spending money on the original, its one of the best mods you can do to an E30 without doubt

[greg124]

It's been a while, but I've now rebuilt the original steering rack, using Febi seal kit 12307.
When I opened the pack I thought 'Cor! there's too many seals in here', but sure enough every one of them had a place.
Kit cost 23 quid, as opposed to 650 quid for a replacement (new/refurb'd?) rack.
Nothing particularly tricky, except that I had to file a washer down to drift out the seal that sits in a lip where the tube changes diameter ie. right in the middle of the tube.
Just got to crimp the new gaitors on and fit to the car, then get the wheel alignment done.

Thanks all for advice, and particularly BMG for link to the great 'how to' photos.

[greg124]

Just a quick update.
After 6-and-a-bit months the fluid level in the reservoir hasn't dropped, and today the car sailed through the MOT with no advisories.

Costs of the fix:
Febi seal kit £23.10
Pair of gaitors £12
Wheel alignment £20
Litre of ATF £6.99

[Brianmoooore]

Keep an eye on the colour of the fluid. Cherry red and clear is good; grey and murky is bad.
Regular changes will prolong the life of the whole system.

[greg124]

Cheers Brian. It's one of those things I check regularly, but have probably only actually changed twice in the almost 12 years I've had the car - three times if you count the rack rebuild