Hi all, currently in North Wales with the family and it appears that the seals on my steering rack have failed and I am losing fluid from the outer gaiters as a result.
My car is 2004 discovery 3 2.7 s.
Overnight I noticed that I’d lost fluid from underneath and Fluid had run low and I’ve had to use some generic power steering fluid to enable me to drive the car as a workaround until I could buy some more fluid.
Question is, can I drive it home even if fluid funds low again?
Heavy steering is likely I know, but will it cause further damage until I can at least get back to Manchester?
Any info much appreciated. Hopefully heading back on Sunday.
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
Last edited by sweetpea54321 on 5th Aug 2021 4:26 pm. Edited 2 times in total
23rd Jul 2021 1:14 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Keep the reservoir topped up if you can. Driving straight won't loose too much fluid.
Very low fluid could damage the pump long term.
See my story about a bust PAS pipe on holiday earlier this year. I managed to drive 200 miles without loosing any fluid.
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
23rd Jul 2021 1:57 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
Thanks Richard.... I’ve ordered the new o ring seals and can do the repair when home. I’ve got a couple of containers of fluid so will just keep an eye on things on the way home.
Fingers crossed
Cheers
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
23rd Jul 2021 2:04 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
I have never tried to drive a D3 without power steering, but I can tell you that huge force is required turn the steering wheel moving one in and out of the workshop. So much so, that you wonder if something will break.
I had a VW Transporter driven in, with p/s failure and the owner said it was very difficult to turn at junctions. A D3 is about 500kg heavier!
Your leak sounds bad and getting worse. My advice would be do not risk driving it any distance, better safe than sorry. If it runs dry, you could be adding a new p/s pump to your parts list.Chris
23rd Jul 2021 3:47 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
Noted thanks Chris.... i’ll Certainly be keeping an eye on things.
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
23rd Jul 2021 6:09 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
Here is another example.
Earlier this month I had a customer's (newly acquired) RR Sport in for oil pump and timing belt. It was dripping p/s oil on the workshop floor as I drove it in. I advised the customer of leaking p/s pump and more pressing issues, but the car seems fine to drives so he assumed I was after more work.
This leak is only apparent when p/s oil is hot, and steering continuously. Following weekend customer was off to tow a caravan 60 miles away, which apparently was uneventful. I would like him to enjoy running a RRS, but neglect and overdue servicing do not bode well.Chris
23rd Jul 2021 8:29 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
Well i took the wise decision to have the car recovered so now safely back at home so I can tackle the leak in my own time on the driveway.
I’ve ordered the two o rings and a quantity of cold climate fluid so fingers crossed it is the seals causing the leak.
Thanks to those that offered Advice.... as always much appreciated
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
25th Jul 2021 4:42 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
So.... I had the chance to remove a couple of panels to see where my leak is coming from. I was hoping to see it coming from the high pressure pipe o rings however all is dry there.
Both my rubber gaiters were full of dirty brown contaminated oil..... everywhere else appears dry.
Is it likely to be a replacement / refurbished rack or are the end seals behind the gaitors replaceable?
Any info appreciated
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
26th Jul 2021 2:20 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
I am not familiar with internal seal replacement. I changed the steering rack on a RR Sport not long ago. As usual, limited access and things in the way, but I am pleased to say that removal and refitting was surprisingly easy.
I found a specialist offering rebuild service for around £230.Chris
26th Jul 2021 2:31 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
Thanks Chris... looking online, I’m tempted to risk a replacement rack if I can’t get seals.
I’ll have another look later and see if I can identify the source.
Gaitors were literally full of watery oil which would explain why I was losing so much fluid onto the floor, clearly contaminated and almost thin as water. Gaitors not designed to retain fluid but prevent ingress, so must be something within the rack itself..... will see.
Cheers
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
26th Jul 2021 2:44 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
Just removed the gaitors to find a lot of sludge and watery oil in the gaitors.
I have taken the two pics and one end appears to have a hole in the steering shaft itself. Pics in my gallery
Question Is should it be there or has it rusted through?
Hole is on nearside side of rack.
It looks as though water ingress over the years may have been sat in there and finally so full that it has caused the leak... any suggestions?
I suspect new rack, but would welcome advice.
SP Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
26th Jul 2021 5:33 pm
LittleG
Member Since: 21 Sep 2013
Location: Wombourne
Posts: 389
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26th Jul 2021 6:14 pm
sweetpea54321
Member Since: 23 Nov 2015
Location: Bolton
Posts: 212
Having done a little more investigation I can see now that seal at the end of the rack is leaking, so will be changing for new rack.
Thanks to those that offered advice.... much appreciated Mods so far:
New wheel winch
Instrument upgrade (clock on dash)
D4 fascia + Garmin nuvi
LED side light, interior etc
New FL2 rear wheel arch seals
Parrot MKi9200 hands free kit
26th Jul 2021 8:41 pm
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6266
Ihad my rack sweating on passenger side boot as well substantial leak at the bottom of pinion nut
used whole bottle f this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucas-Oil-10008-P...&psc=1
and al is cool now dry as bones
G
26th Jul 2021 9:25 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 401
Certainly a low cost solution, I wonder how long it will last.Chris
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