Hi, sorry to put a problem as a first post.

 

My father in law has a 2001 Octavia 2.0  which needs to have the steering rack replaced due to a fluid leak and I have a couple of questions?

 

1. Is it a pig of a job, i.e. do subframes have to be dropped and such like

2. If we want to go second hand for the replacement would a unit from a Mk4 Golf or A3 be suitable?

 

Thanks in advance.

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

 Steering rack, I have done one on a Golf, it was easy enough, the subframe does need to be dropped but this is not an issue, I found the UJ at the bottom of the steering column was a real faf!

 Secondhand, personally I wouldn't, you have no idea what condition it is in or if it will leak within a month of fitting, I used a service exchange company in the midlands called ACS, you pay a little over the odds but when you return your old rack you get some money back.

 

 Easy enough to do yourself, try ACS for your rack.   Good Luck

I took the risk and bought a TT quick rack from a breaker on Ebay. Double risk as I'm in NZ and teh rack was in UK. Turned out well though!!

 

Dropping the subframe isn't such a bad job as long as you get the car nice and high for access.

 

 

Thanks gents

_{Well, I've been trying to sell it for him as is and have only been getting silly offers even though its got 9 months MOT, has had 4 tyres recently and is overall a decent car, so I'm planning on having a go at repairing it.}

 

_{I know someone who has a low mileage rack off a mk4 Golf, I would expect to have to swap the track rods over but is the rack itself the same? Thanks in advance.}