i found the racks online for like 200.. i think even ebay? i use mobile 1 atf.. i had a really bad leak on the passenger side, and that seems to have fixed it. i was leaving puddles. it got really bad cause my girl lives in queens and i live in long island, so i'd drive out there and park on the street, and the next day my power steering fluid's gone. so i threw in some atf cause i was stuck, and noticed that there was a lot when i got home. i knew i was leaking at the suction hose metal fitting so i ran a straight piece of hose to it from the res, and then just flushed it with atf since i already had it taken apart, and yeah.. its good now. still some air getting in once in a while, the pump makes a slight sound for the first minute when i start it up cold but thats it. its a LOT better than it was.

 

haha damnnn... i replaced the rack today... omg it was a pain in the *** i swear it took me like 8 hours to do it.. those banjo bolts were on another level. but i came through and now my steering is awesome

 

lol i'm dreading that. i know i'm going to have to do it eventually, but i'm trying to delay it as long as possible. so far so good though

 

Don't wait too long - depending on how it fails, if you let it go it might cost you the pump as well.

 

next time take the tranny off you will have zero problem you can see the rack perfectly bolts and all

 

lol hopefully there wont be a next time

 

If you know what you are doing, just go to Best Parts Online Home Page and get a seal kit. It is not that difficult if you have the right tools. Just be careful to to cut the sealing lip while installing the seal over the gears. And make sure you don't let dirt get into the steering unit while you are replacing the seals.

Power Steering Rack And Pinion Seal Kit Audi A4 1996-2000 6 Cyl. With Zf Rack

 

Im pretty sure some of the more experienced guys on the forum have said **** rebuild the audi rack. its a pain in the dick and just most cost/time efficient to replace.