Power Steering diagnosis...all assistance welcome.

[markkiehlmann]

Hi folks,
Apologies if this is too much a newbie question or if it's been asked and answered elsewhere. All pointers or suggestions gratefully received.

I've lost about 250ml of power steering fluid from the reservoir over the course of a month. I've had a look at the steering rack and it would appear to have a leak around the drivers side gator. There are no unusual noises or movement and the system appears to function normally at present.

I'd asked Ian if he thought I needed a replacement rack and he suggested it might just need new seals. However, he also suggested that I should post the images on here and try and identify how I could diagnose whether I needed a 'whole replacement rack' or 'just the seals'.

Please note first image, leak on near side (from back looking forward), around the gator and inner tie rod end:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20995384@ ... otostream/

Please note second image, leak on off side (from back looking forward), around the gator and rack assembly:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20995384@ ... otostream/

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Needless to say, I'm not simply at home, in Glasgow, but 2,500km way in Tuscany, just to complicate matters.

[Northern Bongolow]

you could maybe put some power steering pump fluid reconditioner through the system, it may be the internals of the power steering pump needs cleaning out, like the pressure relief valve internals or bypass valve.if that doesnt sort it i would replace not repair, i once attempted to do the seals i could get too, the seal kit costs a fortune, and when you look in the manual on how to do it it takes up about 30-40 pages and you need a few special tools. this time and money puts you half way to a fully refurbished one from bongospares 2012.
http://www.bongospares.co.uk/shop/engin ... ring-rack/.
you can swap your rack with no special tools needed in an hour.

a few things to note are check the steering universal joint while your there. they can seize up or get stiff.

http://www.bongospares.co.uk/shop/steer ... inkage-uj/.

and be careful is its an airbag bongo, keep the steering wheel straight when removing the rack and or the ujoint above.

read this, it may be helpful.

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... ng#p651229

[Bongolia]

Hi folks,
Apologies if this is too much a newbie question or if it's been asked and answered elsewhere. All pointers or suggestions gratefully received.

I've lost about 250ml of power steering fluid from the reservoir over the course of a month. I've had a look at the steering rack and it would appear to have a leak around the drivers side gator. There are no unusual noises or movement and the system appears to function normally at present.

I'd asked Ian if he thought I needed a replacement rack and he suggested it might just need new seals. However, he also suggested that I should post the images on here and try and identify how I could diagnose whether I needed a 'whole replacement rack' or 'just the seals'.

Please note first image, leak on near side (from back looking forward), around the gator and inner tie rod end:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20995384@ ... otostream/

Please note second image, leak on off side (from back looking forward), around the gator and rack assembly:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20995384@ ... otostream/

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Needless to say, I'm not simply at home, in Glasgow, but 2,500km way in Tuscany, just to complicate matters.

With NB on that replace or professional overhaul when you get back. The bellows/'gaiters are catching the fluid leaking from the seal . You need to get concerned if the bellows become swollen with fluid, the likelihood is that it will get you home safe. All that will happen if it fails completely is that the steering will become extremely heavy so just keep that in mind.

[markkiehlmann]

Folks,
Firstly, thanks for the helpful replies.

Secondly, we all made it back to Blighty, safe and sound. We even managed to head up to Les Gets in France, Barcelona in Spain, before heading home to Glasgow in Scotland. Would you believe, I only had to top up the power steering fluid when we arrived home at the end of July.

I just put the Bongo into our local garage for an MOT today and it failed on the steering rack and the headlights pointing the wrong way. So time to get down and dirty and sort it out.

Thanks again, I'll report back, once I've got some garage space, parts and an afternoon to crack into it.