Power steering banjo bolts

Post Sat Jul 12, 2014 3:26 pm

I have my power steering rack in. Correct me if I am wrong,but doesn't each banjo need two crush washers(one between the bolt and the rack and one between the bolt and the banjo)? What sort of torque is needed to crush the washers enough to get a good seal? I am worried about snapping the banjo bolt again.

Post Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:41 pm

Yes there should be washers as you describe, not sure of tge torque but they are tight, I would estimate 60nm

Post Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:01 pm

jimbom30cab wrote:Yes there should be washers as you describe, not sure of tge torque but they are tight, I would estimate 60nm

60nm sounds a lot to me!

I generally use aluminium washers and have always been fine for me.

Post Sat Jul 12, 2014 7:19 pm

I have just changed the PAS fluid on mine, and have a drip on the banjo bolt so am going to use copper crush washers and i also can't find a torque setting anywhere, have tried to tighten it as far I was comfortable with which at a guess was around 30nm?

Any advances on that?

Post Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:57 pm

Read a few sites and the m16 (22mm headed) banjo bolt is 40nm.
On e30
On e36
On e46 but only on m16, lower thread size lower torque.

Post Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:45 pm

Do copper crush washers seal better than aluminium? Is there an electrolytic reaction between the copper and the aluminium ?

Post Sun Jul 13, 2014 1:55 pm

You will get a much better seal by using new washers, make sure each sealing face is clean too, they dont have to be massively tight either, as you are screwing into aluminium you are more likely to pull the threads out than snap the bolt

Post Sun Jul 13, 2014 9:14 pm

Just done mine, cleaned up the mating faces and used new copper crush washers. 40nm and no more drippage.......

Post Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:52 am

URL=http://s583.photobucket.com/user/electr ... 1.jpg.html]

[/URL]
This is the problem banjo. The 22mm broad flat one. It is on its second set of new crush washers and still has a slight leak.

Post Mon Jul 14, 2014 9:43 am

Do you have the wrong size washer, or is damaged metal from the bolt head protruding onto the seat? There's something wrong there - the washer isn't centred under the bolt head.

Post Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:20 am

The crush washer's center hole was a perfect fit on the threaded part of the banjo, but I think Brian is correct as the outer sides of the washers look too broad. Time to order another packet.

Post Mon Jul 14, 2014 1:23 pm

Buy some dowty washers, they use a rubber seal

Post Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:48 am

Doesn't the PWS fluid react with the rubber? I take it you have used them and had success.

Post Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:06 am

Yes I use them all the time