Hi all,

Earlier this week I had a problem with the power steering on my 55 fabia no noises made but was intermittently working. Checked the fluid and had add near as dammit none in the tank. Since filling it with fluid steering had been fine.

However obviously it must have leaked somewhere :( I've had the breaks of this weekend for a check and a clean (hand brake had been sticking). It looks as though the fluid is escaping from the gaitors on the front they are covered in the stuff. can I assume given where is escaping from that it's leaking from the rack? If so anyone got any experience experience of having to replace the rack and importantly the cost? I'm trying to decide if it's worth the repair job.

It will be a new rack. About £200 for a pattern one I think, £500 odd for a genuine Skoda one.

That's the 3rd one in so many days....mines needed refilling last year and feels like its needs it again.

Could do without a 200+ bill though.

Techie how much looking at for fitting or is it possible for an enthusiastic diy-er?

This is something I'm concerned about too. Mine was empty from what I could see, topped up and made an improvement but fluid has had to go somewhere. Hadn't moved a week later so just going to periodically check it.

Cheers for the repsonse Tech1e, id feared as much what are your thoughts on enthusiastic diy-er? hanyes is convinced its the same difficulty rating as refitting the rear drums though that seems too easy to me :p

Dave89 - i'm doing the same justing checking (atm every couple of (days) to get an idea of how quickly its leaking out.

mine has lasted well over a year, before feeling like it needs topping up, its not a constant at the min, just have to give it a few seconds after starting engine and occasionally at junctions.

ive seen something about having to drop the sub-frame to do it, that sounds major to me, but ill give anything a shot, well unless i am directly told not to bother.

Hehe yeah I'm very much same opinion unless someone says don't do it I'll have a crack I just don't trust the Haynes suggestion of how easy it is.

i dont either, i remember in an old one they said something like a clutch replacement wasn't that hard for an ibiza...erm...really...for the home amateur?, which is what they are targeted for.

i enjoy things like that, its not often i get the chance stuck in an office. and if i break things...which i have, insult yourself and fix it.

Edited 2 June, 201313 yr by Thisday

im looking at picking up a rack from a breakers, however noticed elsewhere theres some mention of the colour of the sensor on the rack only fitting certain models. can anyone confirm how best i can guarantee the rack im looking at is the right one? to recap its for a 55 plate Fabia 1.2 HTP. or does it matter what colour the sensor is?

Cheers

You need to know if your rack has one or two hall pick up blades behind the sensor. See if you have a separate sensor and loom to start with.

Hello,

Just recently did change my steering rack and here's some tips you might find useful:

Make sure you have wheels straight and steering wheel centered before you start removing things. You can tape the steeringwheel to prevent position from moving.

I found it easier to lower the subframe when I made this kind of alignment pins:

16mm round bar with M12x1.5 thread on other end (4pcs). Unscrew one bolt at a time from console and install pin. Once all there you can lower the subframe without losing its position.

When you have the steering rack out measure from the old one both ends to make sure it's centered. Use following hole as a reference point.

You can then use the balljoint locking nut on old rack to measure its position so you get the balljoints to same distance than it was originally. I found this to be quite accurate.

Last there is wheel alignment and probably you should bring to garage to have laser alignment but I've found this way to be quite accurate. At least I'll leave it this way.

Use small string which goes over both ends of your car. Measure from axle center that the distance is even in front and rear wheels. Now measure from rim edge (front and rear of rim) to string and adjust toe.

(I have hubcaps there but obviously you need to take them off to have accurate measurements. This was just screening purposes as I've already done the alignment).

Hi all quick update did it this weekend thanks everyone for the info all looks good now bit of a sod getting the rack out and new one in. but other than that not bad would place this job closer to very enthusiastic diy-er

Where did you end up obtaining the rack from and how much if you don't mind me asking?