power steering rack

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

I've been doing some investigating to see what the fluid may be in my footwell. I was under the impression that it may be the power steering, however I'm now a bit unsure.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

soz guys having a problem putting the pics on, Basicly the footwell is covered in p/s fluid but there is no leak around the the bush, no leak on the rack and no fluid under the carpets?

I'll try to get the pic's on so you can have a proper look.

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

thats a strange one...cant think how ps flid could get into the passenger compartment

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

well I'm hoping it's ps fluid. I'm under the impression that it smells the same a gear box fluid when used?? but after cleaning it up it soon returns but the box levels don't go down. where as the ps fluid levels drop but there are no leaks under the car??

I can't put the pic's on because I'm on a MOD network which is security protected? (Pain in the back side) hoping someone can put them on for me?

although it won't show anything other than what Ive said.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

right pics time

oil staining around the foot rest

this pic shows the top of the rubber gaiter

oil thats found its way under the carpet and sound deadening.

Righty mate, see the rubber boot, pull the bottom of it up and slide it up the shaft a bit, in here you will see a 'well' which is where I would wager the oils collectiong then pouring out. You need to mop that all out then you need to tell us where its leaking. I think it may be the top seal.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

Still not had a chance to take the rubber boot off, as its been a busy week at work.

I had a thourght though. are the 16v and 1.4 energy power steering bits interchangeable? If so it could be a cost effective way of getting spares as I have a broken 1.4 on the drive.

I'll get the boot off Fri/Sat and let you know the result.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

price is th esame and the part numbers are the same aside from the last 2 digits which I think is like that due to the different length track rods which will swap over.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

if its just the top seal, could I just replace that??

is it a pig of a job or not too bad?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

if its the top seal then replace that, might not sort it if the pinion is worn though. trouble is gettign the right seal.

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

ok, Ive inspected inside the boot. No oil there, however I had the cunning plan when I put the carpet back in of putting toilet paper down under the carpet and arround all the holes.

The good news is that having pulled the carpet up to take a look, there is no oil on the paper, the paper was wet but not soaked in oil. The carpet had some oily residue but no where near as much as before.

I then checked the p/s oil level and it was full. (happy days)

So I now think there must have been a spillage inside the car at some point.

My new problem is that when my rear engine mount dropped it pushed the colum up about half an inch, which means I have to cancle the indicators manualy.

How do I put this back into it's propper place??

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

how did the engine moving alter the columns position unless its cracked the subframe which it won't have.

Proper way is to loosen the clamp at the rack (column base) or the good old just belt it with a hammer

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

went to renault today, they said that because the rear mount had gone it had moved the column.

But if you say it can't I'll take your word for it.

Nice to see Renault haven't got a clue.

What could have caused this?? it was fine the other day.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

pulling on the wheel getting out the car, pulling as you turned the wheel etc etc

so far 3 times the rear mount on the chamade has gone, even cut through the ps pipes due to the engine bracket sawing through them, never had a problem with the column, when you se how its setup it doesn't make sense

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

i tried hitting it with a hammer. (big mistake!!) on my part.

a little metal bar fell out of the column so now I have no steering.

I had a look but cant see where it came from as there are no visable holes.

the top part spins freely without turning the rest of the column.

I have some pic's of it if you want me to send them to you to have a look?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

sounds like the problem leigh has!

I have to say I have never experienced this one myself!

Top uj has losts its pin, weld a new in it.

but aye send pics

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

I found a solution to the dodgy column.

whipped it out and put the 1.4 energy column in.

job done. Although it was a pain in the arse!

I also had a look at the rear mount and found it wasn't broken, the bottom bolt had snapped.

so once again, the 1.4 energy came in usefull for something. Laughing

the only problem left now is to adjust the selector as 1st and 2nd gear are in the wrong place.

how easy is it?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

easy to adjust the linkage

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

Happy with that.

Looks like a night reading hatnes manual, and possibly a tech artical. As long as I dont get too many problems.

At least I have a spare rear mount, for when it realy goes.

tell you what though, it's bloody tight under there!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yes it is indeed