Steering rack replacement cost? Is it worth it?

[A4pilot]

My a4 just made it past the 200k miles mark and today my steering rack went. Fluid pouring out of the bottom of the car...nursed it home, etc. I'm wondering how much the job would be for a new rack, parts&labor and if you guys think it is worth doing on such a high miles car. Opinions please....thanks!

[lorge1989]

How do you know its the rack. Could be a simple as a sliced line.

[A4pilot]

Not sure, how would I check if it was a line?

[A4pilot]

I know that the fluid pours out when I turn the steering wheel to the full right position. I'm not sure if that could still be just a broken line or rack replacement?? When the wheel is full right the fluid drips from the drivers side area on the ground....

[walky_talky20]

I think the last rack replacement we did on a B5 Passat 2.8 was $700 installed or so. It's kind of a pain to do. It is a bit easier on a 1.8T because the 2.8 driver side exhaust is not blocking access to one of the rack bolts. Even easier if it's manual trans.

[kf3506]

I remember i got mine done two years ago for around $1000 canadian.

[Kylgod253]

I have never seen a dead rack.. ever.. It has always been a feed high pressure line. If so, the lines are ~$200. If you send it to the stealership, god knows how much it will cost..

clean up the mess, get under the car (stands or a lift) and have a "friend" spin the wheel and see where it shoots you in the face from. Thats step #1

[A4pilot]

Thanks, I will take a closer look at it today

[A4pilot]

Anyone know a place that sells steering racks cheap? It's confirmed, rack needs to be replaced &$!?$&'b

[BlazinB5]

Anyone know a place that sells steering racks cheap? It's confirmed, rack needs to be replaced &$!?$&'b

look on the bright side - at least you'll never have to do it again, LOL

http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/p...oducts_id=1009

[Corrado_Guy]

look on the bright side - at least you'll never have to do it again, LOL

http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/p...oducts_id=1009

How is that, does this have a lifetime warranty on the rack? This is a rebuilt rack so it has already failed at least once so I wouldn't hold my breath on the lifetime thing. And these racks do fail, mine is on the way out and the guy I buy parts from says he sells enough of these so they are not all that reliable.

[A4pilot]

Thanks, but this will be my second time replacing it.....

[BlazinB5]

How is that, does this have a lifetime warranty on the rack? This is a rebuilt rack so it has already failed at least once so I wouldn't hold my breath on the lifetime thing. And these racks do fail, mine is on the way out and the guy I buy parts from says he sells enough of these so they are not all that reliable.

i've never had a power steering rack fail so i wouldn't really know. i just know where to get the parts.

it looks like ECSTUNING wants another $200 for the same part/brand ($846!):
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...g/Rack/ES2012/

Thanks, but this will be my second time replacing it.....

damn that sucks.. do you know the brand name of the one you used?

i'm also kind of curious as to how many miles you put on it, or what caused the failure.

[A4pilot]

First rack replaced at 105k, now car has just over 200k and it happened when I was parallel parking(steering wheel cranked to full left position) when the fluid-began pouring out and /whining power steering motor made loud noises.....anyone know how much time in labor this job takes. Thanks again

[donraja84]

the racks suggested here are way more expensive than what others have used in the past. Do some searching on the forum. People have used rack doctor and jorgen auto, which are in the $200-300 range

[A4pilot]

Both sites were very helpful, thank you!! Where is the best price on outer tie rod ends? I figured I might as well do them too at the same time I do the rack replacement...

[Berreta]

I have a steering line leak. I can't find the part number for it. It's the line near the front drivers wheel with the curly shape and goes to the pump.

Anyone know?