Replacement Steering Rack and Pump

Hi all,

After a strange sound caused me to take a look in the power steering reservoir a fortnight ago, I found I was somewhat without fluid. We dashed out to buy some fluid (red stuff, as advised by man in shop, which I now know to be wrong) and topped up but after a five minute drive home it was all gone. Jacking the car revealed it was coming out of the gaiters.

A new rack was prescribed and I decided I wanted a new pump as well 'just in case'. I had trouble finding any recommendations for a reconditioned rack so ended up just picking at random, landing on Jay Gee. I can now thoroughly recommend them as they were helpful, quick, and so far (9 days on) everything seems to be working a treat.

I'd be interested to know what anyone else thinks of the job of replacing this system because it took me (a total novice) and the future father in law (fair pro) 8 hours to do although it was relatively painless and swearless.

What I learned:

• Jay Gee (http://jaygee.co.uk/) are worth going to for hydraulic parts
• Octavia Mk1 needs green PAS fluid, not red.
• Spending a day underneath a car leaves you feeling like you've had a fair old work out the following day
• Don't lift an Octavia with a Citroen C1 jack (pics available)