Steering Rack leak

xlmk1234 · 07-08-2023, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

really simple fix, there is two o-ring in there, they get hard and leak, I bought and o-ring kit and one of the sizes fit well and it worked, no more leaks. plus many more available for future jobs

https://www.amazon.com/Orion-Motor-T...dDbGljaz10cnVl

but you do need to loosen the rack to gain access

How hard was removal of the steering rack? I have developed a very bad leak and am going to purchase all the seals you mentioned to replace the old ones. As of right now, i am unable to see exactly where my leak is coming from but i would assume it is coming from the shaft seal seeing as though it is such a common issue.

tlrid3r · 07-08-2023, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

How hard was removal of the steering rack? I have developed a very bad leak and am going to purchase all the seals you mentioned to replace the old ones. As of right now, i am unable to see exactly where my leak is coming from but i would assume it is coming from the shaft seal seeing as though it is such a common issue.

To me it was not hard. About 2 hours to drop. But if you have all the parts, you can replace all the seal in a hour and 2 hours to reverse the process.

I did use a quick jack.

xlmk1234 · 07-09-2023, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

To me it was not hard. About 2 hours to drop. But if you have all the parts, you can replace all the seal in a hour and 2 hours to reverse the process.

I did use a quick jack.

is it hard to access the upper pinch bolt on the steering shaft? and did you take any precautions to keep the steering wheel in the same position? Sorry for all the questions as ive never had to deal with steering rack issues before 😬

xlmk1234 · 07-09-2023, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takrdown

So I was able to access the hex bolt for the coupling next to the steering rack through the gaps in the drivers side wheel well to loosen it then you can just yank that sucker out. You might need some extensions and some creativity to get there, but that's what cheap harbor freight tools are for right. Haha.

Getting it back in was a little more difficult. Make sure you keep your steering wheel centered and line up the coupler. Then I used a long screwdriver to pry the collar back together (it takes some force) and then tighten the new hex bolt the same way you loosened the old one through the gaps in the wheel.

Could you post the diy's you have and I can point out any differences?

currently looking at pulling my rack out as i have a major leak coming from whag i believe to be the shaft seal. in order to pull it, did you remove the entire steering shaft? or only the part where it connects to the rack I.E the lower part next to where the shaft seal leaks happen.

tlrid3r · 07-11-2023, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

is it hard to access the upper pinch bolt on the steering shaft? and did you take any precautions to keep the steering wheel in the same position? Sorry for all the questions as ive never had to deal with steering rack issues before 😬

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

currently looking at pulling my rack out as i have a major leak coming from whag i believe to be the shaft seal. in order to pull it, did you remove the entire steering shaft? or only the part where it connects to the rack I.E the lower part next to where the shaft seal leaks happen.

Yeah the upper pinch bolt is hard to access but I used long extension with universal joint. I also marked the position with a sharpie, or else steering will be off.

xlmk1234 · 07-12-2023, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Yeah the upper pinch bolt is hard to access but I used long extension with universal joint. I also marked the position with a sharpie, or else steering will be off.

thank you for all the info. one last question, does the entire steering shaft need to be removed even if im only removing the rack and not replacing the shaft? again thank you so much

tlrid3r · 07-13-2023, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

thank you for all the info. one last question, does the entire steering shaft need to be removed even if im only removing the rack and not replacing the shaft? again thank you so much

No, loosen the pinch bolt and steering shaft stays, the steering rack n pinion gets removed to replace seals.

--Aramis-- · 07-13-2023, 05:04 AM

Great infos here, thanks for sharing

Brandoch · 07-14-2023, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Yeah the upper pinch bolt is hard to access but I used long extension with universal joint. I also marked the position with a sharpie, or else steering will be off.

The spline is keyed, so there is no aligning it wrong. With exception of 360 rotation.

xlmk1234 · 07-14-2023, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

No, loosen the pinch bolt and steering shaft stays, the steering rack n pinion gets removed to replace seals.

successfully removed my rack and replaced all seals, my rack is now leak free thanks to you!
Only one concern, the steering shaft was extremely difficult to put back in but i believe i got it seated and it is now tightened.

xlmk1234 · 07-15-2023, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

No, loosen the pinch bolt and steering shaft stays, the steering rack n pinion gets removed to replace seals.

steering wheel way off center, pulling the lower shaft out again tomorrow to attempt to realign it. any tips? i found it difficult to even get it to the point its at right now.

tlrid3r · 07-16-2023, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

steering wheel way off center, pulling the lower shaft out again tomorrow to attempt to realign it. any tips? i found it difficult to even get it to the point its at right now.

It can only go in like 2-3 different spline teeth. There is a big notch and spline teeth, which keeps some what aligned. I also got it wrong the first time even though I marked it. Just turn one teeth against the direction is off.
Also the pinch bolt can only go in if it is seat all the way

xlmk1234 · 07-19-2023, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

It can only go in like 2-3 different spline teeth. There is a big notch and spline teeth, which keeps some what aligned. I also got it wrong the first time even though I marked it. Just turn one teeth against the direction is off.
Also the pinch bolt can only go in if it is seat all the way

got it all seated and took it for a drive. worked well but i developed another leak 😂.

xlmk1234 · 07-19-2023, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

got it all seated and took it for a drive. worked well but i developed another leak 😂.

so my BRAND NEW pinion shaft seal has started to leak. im going to source a rack im tired of this bullshit !

tlrid3r · 07-19-2023, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

so my BRAND NEW pinion shaft seal has started to leak. im going to source a rack im tired of this bullshit !

Sorry to hear. It’s possible to damage or roll the seal lip during install. Are you sure non of that happen. If not resolved I can see it being a huge hassle.

xlmk1234 · 07-19-2023, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Sorry to hear. It’s possible to damage or roll the seal lip during install. Are you sure non of that happen. If not resolved I can see it being a huge hassle.

I am positive it was jnstalled correctly. i just picked up another rack and am going to go through and replace all the seals before installing. waiting for hardware and another pinion shaft seal from eai. you used the EAI 20x30x5 oil seal correct? I used it to replace my pinion shaft seal the first time.

tlrid3r · 07-19-2023, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

I am positive it was jnstalled correctly. i just picked up another rack and am going to go through and replace all the seals before installing. waiting for hardware and another pinion shaft seal from eai. you used the EAI 20x30x5 oil seal correct? I used it to replace my pinion shaft seal the first time.

Yeah that’s correct. I used that.

VtecforV8 · 07-20-2023, 08:47 AM

Where did you get a rack, out of curiosity?

xlmk1234 · 07-31-2023, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtecforV8

Where did you get a rack, out of curiosity?

North of sacramento from a dismantler

xlmk1234 · 07-31-2023, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Yeah that’s correct. I used that.

i cannot get the steering shaft onto the new rack, any input?

tlrid3r · 08-01-2023, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xlmk1234

i cannot get the steering shaft onto the new rack, any input?

Is the new rack clocked correctly and try expanding the steering shaft input side with a screw driver.

xlmk1234 · 08-01-2023, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlrid3r

Is the new rack clocked correctly and try expanding the steering shaft input side with a screw driver.

new rack is centered correctly, the alignment key is actually not even there so thats why im even more confused that the shaft wont go on the splines. ill try to expand the clamp with a prybar and try again

07-13-2023, 05:04 AM	#52
--Aramis-- Private 124 Rep 83 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: France iTrader: (0)	Great infos here, thanks for sharing
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07-20-2023, 08:47 AM	#62
VtecforV8 Private First Class 17 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Where did you get a rack, out of curiosity?
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