Greetings all - looking for some insight before bringing my '02 A6 4.2 in the shop.

I have a power steering fluid leak in (what appears to me) the passenger side outer rack boot. I clamped that boot thinking it was missing a clamp. The leak then appeared on the drivers side boot. So I clamped that as well. Now the leak is dripping in the middle somewhere. Obviously, clamping the boots wasnt a fix.

I talked to a local Euro repair shop and described the problem. She said its the power steering rack and quoted me around $1600-$1700. $900 for a remanufactured rack and $600 labor + fluids.

Is $1700 a normal price for a rack replacement?
Does my problem sound like a rack?

Power steering pump seems OK as when I fill it up with G002000 it sounds OK. Steering itself is OK as long as there is fluid.

Thanks for any input.

BTW - this is a great site. Ive been prowling it since I've got my Audi. A lot of info and help.

 

I'm looking into it as well for 2.7T. I'm leaking on the passenger side. The cost of the reman and the labor sounds about right to me. Check with ForceFive also for a reman, it might save you a few bucks!
OOOO

 

Well Im surfing and found steering racks for less than $400

http://www.powersteeringpros.com/add.../80-01179.html
http://www.carsteering.com/addtocart.../80-00768.html

If they are charging me $900 for the rack - then that doesnt seem right.

Can someone verify if the racks in the links are the right part for my '02 A6 4.2 Quatro?

Thanks

 

Forgot to ask - is it normal for power steering racks to go out at less than 68K miles?