Ford Fiesta steering rack replacement?

[[e-mail]]

Been a while since I posted here and it seems that the usenet is ending, boohoo!

I have a 2008 Fiesta Mk5 and the steering rack is leaking power-steering fluid from the very end of the offside gaiter.

Does this mean a new PAS steering rack or can it be repaired? I'm told that to replace it means dropping the whole sub-frame, which is beyond my skill level.

Lastly, if it is a replacement, can another model of Fiesta steering rack likely be used? (Mine's the 1.4 petrol - seems that the Mk6 are far more common).

TIA

[Theo]

Post by ***@gmail.com
Been a while since I posted here and it seems that the usenet is ending, boohoo!

It's not, just Google's abandoned interface to it. You can still access it
via a Usenet client:
https://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php/Newsgroup_access_tips

There are also a few web frontends, eg:
https://www.novabbs.com/aus+uk/thread.php?group=uk.rec.cars.maintenance

Post by ***@gmail.com
I have a 2008 Fiesta Mk5 and the steering rack is leaking power-steering
fluid from the very end of the offside gaiter.
Does this mean a new PAS steering rack or can it be repaired? I'm told
that to replace it means dropping the whole sub-frame, which is beyond my
skill level.
Lastly, if it is a replacement, can another model of Fiesta steering rack
likely be used? (Mine's the 1.4 petrol - seems that the Mk6 are far more
common).

No experience with Fiestas or their steering racks, but when I search ebay
for Mk5 racks it seems to suggest Mk6 racks will fit Mk5 2005-2010, eg:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276219767034

which the ebay compatibility checker says will fit back to 2001. I wouldn't
100% trust ebay's idea of fitment but it does suggest they might.

Maybe you can squint at the pictures and try to work out if they can be
taken apart to replace bit by bit. From this one it suggests it's a single
piece:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335122335183?

If you search Youtube there are a variety of videos on fixing fluid leaks on
the Mk6 - if the rack is the same maybe they also apply to the Mk5?

Theo

[[e-mail]]

[snip]

Hi Theo,

That's all really helpful - thank you so much. Good to know that I can still access this group. There may be others (seems everything shift to Facebook these days, but I don't like that).

I'll check out those items on eBay and see what I can sort out. And good idea re YouTube.

Cheers!