Fairfax 4.0T

The seals on my steering rack (rack and pinion) on my 98 Sienna wagon just failed. After searching around the Internet, I found an article by a local radio/TV show guy (Goss' Garage) saying that unless you change your power steering fluid every 4 to 7 years (or something like that), your rack and pinion seals will give out.

It seems like all fluids get contaminated over time, and should be replaced. Has anyone ever heard of changing the power steering fluid on an Audi as preventive maintenance? Even if you change it, what are the chances it will help the life of the seals?

Also, how have our steering racks held up? Many people have them leaking or changed?

Jim

P.S. The Toyota dealer wants $1,430 to replace the steering rack plus $70 for an alignment. I'm going to try to tackle this job on my Sienna next week.

Flint'sA6

with this stuff.<ul><li><a href="http://www.worldimpex.com/item_detail.html?sku=9336">Pentosin...</a></li></ul>

Cargasm2.7

I just changed mine last week. The pump was making some noises, now it's as silent as ever.

Max_A6

5 yrs old fluid seemed as oily as a new one (and hard to clean from the garage floor), so I'm not sure if there are any real advantages unless you have issues like noise, etc.

Chaddy

The fluid was also pretty rough. One theory for the 2.7T rack failures is that the rack sits just above turbos &amp; downpipes, and so can get cooked, especially in stop-n-go traffic.

77'911

Well worth doing, especially to extend the life of the seals, rack, and pump. The steering is much smoother afterwards. I usually do it, every other oil change. After having a series of power steering rack problems, I've found keeping clean/fresh fluid really helps and its fair easy to change. There is a filter screen in the tank that should be cleaned out. You'll be amazed what comes out of that one.
Some people, they disconnect the hoses and start the car for a minute, but I've found that the hoses completely drain if angled low into a drain pain. I use an air hose to blow out the cooler line. Then reconnect hoses, after the tank is completely clean and dry, install it. Fill the tank with the 11s to the max line, wait till the air comes out a bit. Then start the car and be careful to watch the fluid level. Make sure the car is level or the pump can cavitate and damage the bearings some. It will take some running and a drive around the block or two to get all the air bubbles out, but they'll go away.

Fairfax 4.0T

When I get time, I'll change the fluid my A6.

PaulW

<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/susp_whls_brake_steer/psflush.html">See notes for C5 at bottom or article.</a></li></ul>