Alfa Pages

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

One of my gaiters is leaking, the other has split in half, I have some options and would like your input.

1 attempt to remove the rack and replace the gaiters and refit the rack myself
2 remove the rack and replace with ser 2 rack
3 pay my Alfa garage to remove the rack and replace gaiters and refit the rack.
4 remove the rack myself and pay my Alfa garage to replace the gaiters and put the rack back together and refit myself.

Option 1 I am not keen on because I have heard the rack always leaks afterwards

Option 2 I believe you have to replace the UJ at the bottom of my ser 3 steering column to fit into the ser 2 rack, I also think you have to cut off the ser 2 steering arm connection points and weld them onto the ser 3 steering arms as I want to keep the ser 3 adjustability, as the ser 2 is not very adjustable and you have to remove the track rod end to adjust.

Option 3 how much am I looking at?

Option 4 what do you think.

Thanks
Alan
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

paulhide · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:42 am Post subject:

None of the above.
Options:
1. See if Alex has a spare rack and fit it yourself.
2. Do the 'Lee-split gaitor' self repair job.
_________________
Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

lee16v · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:13 am Post subject:

As to the 'Lee split gaitor' repair (it has it's own name now? Laughing

) I was under the car the other day replacing the steering arms and I can report that this is still holding up....no splits. Looks as good as the day I did it!

lee16v · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 10:17 am Post subject:

Reading your post again Al, Sounds as if you will need a replacement rack. The gaitor souldn't be 'leaking'. They're only there to keep the shite off and are not meant to keep fluid in.

john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject:

I agree with Lee. You need a replacement rack or to have yours fully reconditioned.

I was told that AR dealers never changed the boots on power racks. I had a specialist change some for me years ago on the proviso that it may leak afterwards and it wasn't down to them. It didn't leak but the rack was f*cked Rolling Eyes

wouldn't bleed and had a clonk in it.

I think if you fit the s2 rack you'll also need arms like superpec simon.

Rack swap is a slag but not impossible - see- http://www.alfisti.co.uk/16vPAS.htm off of the newly revamped and superb alfisti.co.uk Wink

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Thanks guys,
I am gonig to fit a non powersteering rack.
I need the bottom half of the steering column and to cover the hole that will be left.
Has anyone got a rack, if so how much do you want and has anyone done this before and got a template to cover the hole, or dimensions?

Thanks
Alan
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Anyone??
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Anyone know the dimensions of the covering plate and if it has to be done when changing the rack, or if it can be done at a later date, will water come in the hole?
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Admin · Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 5:40 pm Post subject:

Hi

A failed steering rack rebuild is why my P4 isn't in use now. Expensive bill and a rack with a right spot just as you turn one way.

I do have a few unpowered racks floating around but I don't know how good any of them are.

All the best

Keith
_________________
I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Have you heard of a ser 3 non PS rack?
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Admin · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 10:03 pm Post subject:

Hi

Yes, but not in rhd. My lhd series 3 has a non powered rack as standard.

All the best

Keith
_________________
I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

It has been mentioned that the bottom half of the steering column may not fit after being swapped due to different splines, is this correct?
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

paulhide · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 8:53 am Post subject:

Yes I think the splines are different, although one rack may fit badly into the other's splines, but not the other way round.
_________________
Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Great!
It has also been suggested that the lower 1/2 of the steering column could be cut in half and welded, can the UJ's be changed?
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Admin · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:40 pm Post subject:

Hi

Idea of welding the column like that doesn't appeal.

I have been told the splines are different but not 100% sure

All the best

Keith
_________________
I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Anyone got any pics of the 2 different types, looks like i might have to do somehting with the UJ then??
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

How about I get the difference bewteen the splines CNC'd in 2 halves.
It could then be put in and the steering column could be slid into ti and tightened up?
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Admin · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 12:11 pm Post subject:

Hi

I will try and get you some pics sorted. Only just put away the older racks, so need to dig one out again.

As to machining something, I assume you mean some kind of adaptor sleeve. Not sure there is enough space for that.

All the best

Keith
_________________
I owe, I owe, its off to work we go.
Bimota Forum
Stafford Christmas Lights

JeremyC · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 4:57 pm Post subject:

What you need to find is a friendly MoT station who know when something is a safety problem and when it isn't.
_________________
'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

Thanks Keith, typical that an adapter can't be made up and used.
I want to replace the rack as it looks as though 1 side is leaking, i can see a drip from outside the gaitor.
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

Guest · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 8:28 am Post subject:

I think as long as you keep the oil topped-up and the steering works ok I'd just wait until you find a replacement PAS rack. I know they're not cheap new but you might get lucky..

alfafan · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:41 am Post subject:

Here in Portugal, a professional complete rebuild costs 150 euros.
Did that to some racks and never had any problem. They came like new.
The last one was on May this year, before going inspection (your MOT)
I remove the rack, sent it to repair, and than I put it back.
It was a pain of a job, especially to put it back, but I did it.
At some point you need another pair of hand to help you putting it on the right position.

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

I have heard it is a very expensive job here and only done by specialists and even then they don't guarantee it wont leak afterwards Sad

so I just thought it would be easier to just replace it with a non PS rack.
_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

alfafan · Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:23 pm Post subject:

The first rack I sent for rebuild was about 10 years ago and at that time the mechanic that toke care of my car, removed it from the car and I asked the Alfa dealer to repair it with a complete repair kit.
It is still working.
The last one was my series 3 SW´s.
I toke the rack to a specialist in power steerings, pumps and shock absorbers, and it came perfect like the others.
The only problem I had after that is the power steering pump started to do some humming, but that wasn´t caused by the repair, but maybe the oil change.

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2992 Location: U.K Surrey

hmmm, I guess i could always fit the non PS rack and see if i can get mine overhauled from someone that can guarantee it won't leak! Smile

I will still need to get the spline differences sorted, Keith Smile

_________________
x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203