Hi Guys, my wifes fabia is leaking oil from one of the seals. I have been told it needs changing.

However I did a search on ebay and found this.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Power-Steering-Rack-Repair-Skoda-Fabia-Octavia-Superb-/310053996719?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4830a888af

Was wondering if anyone has tried it before??

I have also read its not suitable for an electric power steering rack. is the fabia rack electric? are there differant types of rack fitted to them?

All helps welcome.

Tony.

Been there, done that.

The rack is hydrolic, but uses an eletric pump to pressurise the fluid (whereas the FIAT Punto for example is fully electric, no fluid).

This sorta as in the eBay advert is also sold in Halfords (Wynns I think I used) and it made a slight difference on mine for a while, but really they just seem to prolong the inevitable sadly.

There are two different makes of rack TRW and Koyo (or something simular). If it's a TRW there were two different styles, depending upon age to suit different sensors that were changed during the Fabia's life. One from a later car isn't compatible with earlier models and vice versa. Change was around 2004 IIRC. Not sure about the other makes.

Best course of action in the long run would be to change it, but that fluid can make the difference long enough to either p/x the car or something. Costs of the racks are around £150 for a recon unit (the one I had was shipped out with 3 leaks! Hopefully I was just unlucky), or about £500 (at cost) for a brand new one. Fitting cost me £200 or so (again, at cost) so it could work out quite expensive using genuine parts.

Hopefully that helps a bit, Joe.

Been there, done that.

The rack is hydrolic, but uses an eletric pump to pressurise the fluid (whereas the FIAT Punto for example is fully electric, no fluid).

This sorta as in the eBay advert is also sold in Halfords (Wynns I think I used) and it made a slight difference on mine for a while, but really they just seem to prolong the inevitable sadly.

There are two different makes of rack TRW and Koyo (or something simular). If it's a TRW there were two different styles, depending upon age to suit different sensors that were changed during the Fabia's life. One from a later car isn't compatible with earlier models and vice versa. Change was around 2004 IIRC. Not sure about the other makes.

Best course of action in the long run would be to change it, but that fluid can make the difference long enough to either p/x the car or something. Costs of the racks are around £150 for a recon unit (the one I had was shipped out with 3 leaks! Hopefully I was just unlucky), or about £500 (at cost) for a brand new one. Fitting cost me £200 or so (again, at cost) so it could work out quite expensive using genuine parts.

Hopefully that helps a bit, Joe.

Thanks Joe.

Have you any idea how big a job it is to change the rack if I could find one?

You're welcome.

Errr, in theory it should be something like this:

1. Remove wheels
2. Lower front subframe
3. Remove steering rack
4. Fit new steering rack
5. Refit subframe*
6. Replace wheels
7. Tracking

That said, the subframe is the worst part of the job, esp. if you don't have ramps. Our neighbour who is a mechanic declined the work as he doesn't have access to ramps at home.

I think if you search hard enough, there should be a guide on how to change the console bushes (search for cupra bushes guide) - that'll show you how hard the subframe bit of it is. If you can get past that I think it should be quite an easy job, but never tried myself. That said, one of the site sponsors on here managed to do a bad job of mine. . .

*Might be a good move to do the bushes at the same time as it'll only take a few minutes extra and would be around £150 on it's own - parts are ~£16. The standard part tend to fail after a few years so for £15 it's worth it in the long run if they've not been done.

**Edit**

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/92625-fabia-wishbone-bush-replacement-diy-guide/

A guide on how to do the bushes - the subframe they're mounted in needs to be dropped to get at the rack.

Edited 29 June, 201016 yr by TriggerFish

Thanks again Joe.

Pity i aint got a spare £500 - £600 pounds atm.

Any body near wigan fancy having a crack??? lol.

Again, you're welcome.

Depending upon age - try a breakers yard? I found a 2007 car that had been rear ended being broken and got the rack for £90 with a warranty and could return if (and when!) it didn't fit. Not really worth it if you have an older car I guess due to the sensors. Think the recon ones have a warranty too, just my personal experience isn't good, although I'm sure I'll be in the minortiy.

I think we will have to get a bottle of the sealer then get the rack replaced if it does not work, hopefully it will give us enough time to keep it on the road while we source one and save up.

one last question for you Joe. it says on the blurb for the sealer "remove the fluid fromthe rack and use thye full bottle on bad leaks" how do you release the fluid. ie is there a drain plug on the rack?

Thanks in advance this time. lol

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_274561_langId_-1_categoryId_165750

Although it doesn't make the same claims, it's the above that I used. I just added it all into the resivour in one go and left it at that. Never had to remove the fluid on mine. I guess you might be able to get most of it out by syphoning it out if it's viscous enough, or realease the banjo joint where the rack meets the fixed piping under the car and turn the steering left to right - but just make sure the pump doesn't run dry. Otherwise no idea really, never had to try myself.

If you need new fluid, I think it needs two of the genuine VAG bottles, but I can't remeber what size they are. If you've got a Haynes it'll say in there how much to fill it up with. I've got a bottle sitting in the garage still, think they're about £7.50 from the VAG speacilist garage who looked at mine.

Mine's also leaking, but it is so small, I only need to top-up the reservoir (which holds only about 100ml I think) every 8 to 10 months. On that basis, I am going to live with it unless it gets a lot worse.

such a pain to top up the res though.You have to remove the battery, battery box, air filter box. such stupid engineering putting the reservoir under the battery.Sisters fabia steering rack is leaking after replacing the pwr steering pump a year ago.The car only has 40k miles. also had to replace the radiator, oil press sensor, coolant temp sensor, and now the radiator fan isnt coming on. Skoda Fabia has to be one of the worst cars around as regards parts failure. certainly the worst any member of our family has ever had.

Rather than taking the battery out you could always use a syringe to remove the power steering fluid at the point where you put it in, it will work both ways if you want to drain the fluid out.

Edited 1 February, 201313 yr by GrasbyJack