Hi

I know this question has probably been asked but my fabia has developed a problem with the power steering.

It started with the the power steering working intermitantly, when I took a look underneath I could see oil had been leaking from the drivers side steering gater, and investigating further there seems to be some play in the steering rack. Is this play due to the lack of fuild in the system or is it somthing more serious. Which brings me to my next question, can it be repaired or is a new rack required? and how much can you buy them for?

I will be doing the work myself to keep the costs down.

Thanks Ben

You should be able to get an exchange rack from a specialist; you'd have difficulty getting hydraulic seals to rebuild it yourself though.

I suspected that the seals would be difficult to obtain, what sort of price are we talking about for a replacment rack?

Replacement rack from Skoda - about £500 (cost) for a brand new unit. Skoda don't do re-con units (apparantly) anymore as they were finding them too problematic.

If you do want a re-con one it's about £160 if you give them your old one. Most places charge a ~£300 deposit unit they get yours. I had a re-con one fitted, and it leaked from the gaitors, and the main connection to the car where the fluid enters the rack. Settled for a proper new one in the end.

We couldn't find anyone that would sell the parts for the inside of the rack either. Also, be aware that ones from later cars (04 I think) won't work with pre 04 cars as they have a different sensor in them.

Thanks for the reply.

My car is a 04 model, did they change the steering rack before 07 when they revamped the fabia? I don't want to spend anywhere near £500 pounds because it just isn't worth spending that much on the car.

What other cars were the same racks fitted to? and could a non power steering rack be put in instead and what is the cost of these.

Sorry for all of the questions

Possilby the Polo that ran at the same time would use the same steering rack, or the Ibiza as they both used the same platform --would look into that further as not 100%, but I would expect the cost to be the same if they're the same parts.

I think the steering rack was moslty the same all the way through, but the angle sensor changed, and won't fit unless it's off the right age car. Eg I got one from an 07 write off (£90 inc a warranty - maybe worth looking in scrap yards from a rear ended car?) and it wouldn't fit my 01 model as the port for the sensor was the wrong shape. Apart from that it fitted though I believe.

RE no power steering - I'm not sure, don't know what insurers would say either. I drove mine with no power steering for a day or two, and it got stuck on most min roundabouts - although that was with the hydrolics still connected, but not working. I don't think any Fabias in the UK came without PAS anyway.

Hopefully that makes sense!

Oh, also there were two makes of rack (TRW/ TWR and another make I can't remeber) make sure you get the right one as I don't think they are compatible if you get the wrong one.

Edited 3 February, 201016 yr by TriggerFish

So let me get this right. there are two different types of steering racks the TRW/TWR one and one other each of these have two posible types of sensors fitted.

I think from other posts the type is stated on the pump itself but what are the phisical differences on the rack so I can confirm I am getting the correct one or is the type/model stamped onto the rack.

So let me get this right. there are two different types of steering racks the TRW/TWR one and one other each of these have two posible types of sensors fitted.

Correct and I think the TRW/TWR is the most common on the Fabia.

I think from other posts the type is stated on the pump itself but what are the phisical differences on the rack so I can confirm I am getting the correct one or is the type/model stamped onto the rack.

I think if you look on the top of the fluid resivour cap (assuming it's the original) it tells you the make of the system either TRW/TWR or the other one. Easiest way to check which precise one you have would be to go the the local Skoda dealer and ask them to check based upon your chassis number. As per the differences I'm not sure, just told they won't work. And yeah, I would assume the model number of the rack would be on it somewhere. But as said, check with the dealer first as they will have it all on their records based on the chassis number.

An inoperative PAS is an MoT failure http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_230.htm

I'm not sure if this would apply to fitting a manual rack, if such a thing is available for this model.

I've just had mine done at Furrows Skoda in Oswestry - breakdown:

Rack - non-Skoda - £215

Sensor - £97.04

Oil - £6.80

Labour - 2.5 hours at £75/hour = £187.50

Total = £506.34 + vat = £594.95

The two rack types are TRW and KOYO, with TRW being more common. Just sold a complete TRW rack on Ebay for about £30. Mine on the mongrel weeps a little, but as long as I keep topping up the reservoir every few months it gives me no bother.