godsamist:
Well seems steering rack defect....From your complain,steering not stif,so trace the suply hose /pipe, might have broken....Jack up and have proper view and change it..or a seal faulty close to the rack..just do a recheck.

psucc:
Pls if Volkswagen is a Japanese car, simply go to IBB immediately after Eta Agbor junction as you want to descend to Unical road stop by and ask of one mechanic called Dankwa. He should be able to give you first hand solution. Only Japanese.

lonelydora:
You need a new steering rack. But some people claim it can be repaired. I have a friend who took his to Aba, although a Camry, and the seals were changed. At least for the past 4 months he has not complained.

Exponental:
ask d mech to check ALL power steering pipes. ensure u dont manage it cos ds could damage d PS if there is continuous leakage.

BossAyuk:

By seals do you mean the rubber material on both sides of the steering rack Sir? If they can be fixed that will be wonderful, I heard a new steering rack for Passat 1999 is quite expensive.

Siena:
You need a new PAS rack.

The internal seals have failed, so the fluid fills up the rubber gaiters at each end. When they get full, the fluid forces its way out past the clips that secure the gaiters to the track rod ends.

Your "mechanic" is an ídíot. All he has done is try putting a tighter clamp on one of the rubber gaiters. Of course it won't solve your problem, the fluid will simply find a path of least resistance - the other side. Eventually the gaiters will burst, and dump fluid all over your exhaust manifold, God help you if it's red hot at the time.

Those rubber gaiters are not meant to keep the fluid in - they are designed to keep dirt out. As I said, your mechanic is a mòrón.

Out of interest, what fluid did you use to refill?

Siena my hero!

GMB my role model!

Lomomike my moderator!

Kazeem my

mayor2013:
Now reading this I would say is making laugh . @ op you claimed that your mechanic was able to seal up one end of the power steering rack. Just to point out something don't you feel the pressure mounted at the said end would force the power steering fluid quickly to the other end there by causing un easy flow of fluid through the rack thereby causing the other seal to worn in time like you stated earlier in your post.

@ op you want to know the truth or continue throwing money around? go change your power steering rack

Siena:
You need a new PAS rack.

The internal seals have failed, so the fluid fills up the rubber gaiters at each end. When they get full, the fluid forces its way out past the clips that secure the gaiters to the track rod ends.

Your "mechanic" is an ídíot. All he has done is try putting a tighter clamp on one of the rubber gaiters. Of course it won't solve your problem, the fluid will simply find a path of least resistance - the other side. Eventually the gaiters will burst, and dump fluid all over your exhaust manifold, God help you if it's red hot at the time.

Those rubber gaiters are not meant to keep the fluid in - they are designed to keep dirt out. As I said, your mechanic is a mòrón.

Out of interest, what fluid did you use to refill?

lonelydora:


No. I think the seal are inside, not the zig-zag rubber you are seeing. I heard they have specialists on it. They know how to open and work on it. Remember I said I don't believe in all these work work. Just change your steering rack.

BossAyuk:

that is what we suffer over here sir. too many incompete mechanics who deal on only trial and error...fixing a new steering rack is quite expensive but i think it's worth it.

by the way, i use mobil transmission oil to refill, is that right??

thanks for your concern sir.

Siena:


This is why it does pay to read through your Owner's Manual. It's not just the rogue mechanics that are the problem, it's you the owners of these cars.

The PAS fluid for the B5 Volkswagen Passat is NOT the usual red ATF or manual gearbox oil. It is specific to the steering assistance, and iit' either you use genuine Audi fluid, or the ewuivalent which is CHF11-S. Nothing else.

Regular ATF degrades the oil seals in both the rack AND pump, then leaks start. I would advise you stop driving that car with the wrong fluid. Replace the rack, and have the system flushed, BEFORE filling with the CORRECT fluid.

Siena:


This is why it does pay to read through your Owner's Manual. It's not just the rogue mechanics that are the problem, it's you the owners of these cars.

The PAS fluid for the B5 Volkswagen Passat is NOT the usual red ATF or manual gearbox oil. It is specific to the steering assistance, and iit' either you use genuine Audi fluid, or the ewuivalent which is CHF11-S. Nothing else.

Regular ATF degrades the oil seals in both the rack AND pump, then leaks start. I would advise you stop driving that car with the wrong fluid. Replace the rack, and have the system flushed, BEFORE filling with the CORRECT fluid.

BossAyuk:

thank you sir. looks like it's quite expensive. ..new steering rack costs about 30k without labour.

idu1:
This guy doesn't want to spend money but he want to ride car??

gogodaye:

At OP.....both your model of car and the Tyger face model of VW.....are common on the streets of Calabar.....they constitute 75% of the cars used as commercial vehicles (taxis)......
Lay a hold on any of theses cab drivers they should be able to direct you to where you can find a competent mechanic to fix your car as well ad where they source for their car replacements spares.
You can alternatively, undertake the trip to nearby Aba, Abia state.....along the Port Harcourt -Aba Expressway Way, by the popular Fly-Over Junction there is a big thriving market for auto spares, more particularly VW spares.....You can make the day trip to & fro Calabar.....if it become necessary.

BossAyuk:
@Siena
Sir, I've searched for the CHF 11-S fluid like you specified but I don't think I can get it here. Are there any alternative grades/types of fluid that can be used??

Thanks.