Steering Rack

[bobak]

Hi - does anyone know where I can get a cheap (but new) power steering rack for my 2000 Xreg Ibiza Cupra.

SEAT have looked at it and said they think its the rack but not 100% sure. They quoted £500 for the part and 4 hour work at £70 an hour. Seems a bit much for me.

The issue is that when I am steering left at any pace, it fights a bit. Also - steering left appears a lot looser and easier than steering right which seems much tighter.

Anyone any experience with this or ideas? I have no experience of bushes going, so not sure if its that - or wishbone or as SEAT said, maybe the power steering rack itself.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks

Oh, and if i take my hands off the steering wheel - it does drive straight. Same tyres all round (fronts replaced at the same time and backs at the same time too), tyre pressure does seem to drop slightly on the front left tyre, but I still get the same issue when i correct that.

 

[Fl@pper]

changed fluid and pressure tested the pump to see if it's erratic supply yet ?

 

[bobak]

Yeah I checked the level and its fine. The pump did totally give up once but hasnt done it since and I got a new battery as there were a few other things going on. Not really totally checked supply - dont know how.
SEAT plugged her in and said there's no errors at all.

 

[Fl@pper]

plugging in won't help to be honest as the steering is hydraulic assisted

personally i would test/inspect the rack with no fluid in it to see if there was any operation wear in it first

with a dodgy pump you will get erratic operation i.e. light/heavy intermittent steering but to be honest it's doubtful it would be one side only

probably find a seals gone inside the rack and weeping pressure fluid to one chamber

try http://www.transhock.com/ and if i could find em a company called XL who both do a recon/return on your original unit a lot cheaper than a replacement

 

[bobak]

Cool thanks. I've not really got the means to test it, im not much of a mechanic. The mechanic at SEAT said he thought there was a blockage causing an imbalance of pressure/fluid in the rack and that whilst it's fine, if I want it to go away I'd have to replace the rack. Can't seem to find a rack on GSF or EuroCarParts or anywhere, so starting to think it's dealer only.
Was hoping maybe someone would say - "Oh it's only your bushes" or something lol

 

[Fl@pper]

probably is seals or something in the fluid but mostly pressure is regulated with valves in the pump/rack itself

a bloody good clean out and strip/clean would help narrow it down as no one ever does with PAS systems

i'll add XL's details when i can remember where they are

 

[bobak]

when you say strip down/clean - you mean take it to a garage? I've just found a Power Steering specialist in Bristol... might call them up monday. I can't be paying nearly £900 for a new rack fitted hahaha

 

[Fl@pper]

already on the right track to be, couldn't say on a Cupra but seen recon rack's at £150 or less before now at the right places.

specialist sounds like a perfect call to be honest

 

[bobak]

*nods* bloody car

 

[bobak]

Ok, Update - Had the brakes changed yesterday and told the guy there the problem as he does my tyres. He reckoned it definitely wasn't my steering rack as there's no play in the steering. He said maybe the Top Mount or CoilSprings, but when they had the wheel off - didnt notice a broken spring. Confused!

I guess I am asking for opinions. Feels lighter turning left and harder turning right. Nothing excessive, but noticeable. When turning left at speed, it fights against me a bit and is twitchy...