Hi all, so I recently bought a L322 2012 Westminster 4.4 TDV8. It’s always been a bit of a childhood dream to own one of these (I’m only 25). I knew it had a few small issues when I bought it which included the interior lighting (bad LED conversion had cooked the light fitting) and a bad heater motor so that was replaced also.

The car has since developed a leak on the steering rack. My mechanic had the car today, cleaned it all down, diagnosing the leak from the top seal on the rack not great news. I’m going to try a tin of Lucas Power Steering stop leak tomorrow to see if that helps but if not it’s looking like the rack may require replacement which I’m told is pretty mega.

If the stop leak doesn’t work, my mechanic doesn’t have a lift strong enough to get it up in the air which leaves me a bit stumped. Ive considered doing the work myself on the drive with some high lift stands and a lot of crawling around. Is this feasible or not worth considering?

I’ve not minded putting the money into it the car as I enjoy every minute of driving it but the weekly problems are starting to make me loose a little faith. If I did find another workshop to replace the steering rack, what sort of figure should I be looking at?

Thanks all

Changing the rack on the drive is doable.
I did our 3.6TDv8 during the first COVID Lockdown last year after I received various stupid quotes from local LR garages & numerous no quotes (all pre-COVID).
I the end it didn't cost me much at all !

Have a look at the write-up I did here :
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic55023.html Paul,
2001 Discovery 2 TD5, 211,000 miles & climbing
2006 FFRR TDV8 Vogue 151,000 miles & now sold
Member of Midland (Land) Rover Owners Club, www.mroc.co.uk

Do not use stop leak, it is a spirit that makes the seals expand by making them soft, if it works it will fail catastrophically after a short time, it will also ruin the pump...

It is for crooks to use just before they sell a car, not something to use on your pride and joy...

As has been said it's not a massive job to change...  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks so much both, and great write up Pawl. Is there much difference between the 3.6TDV8 and a 2012 4.4TDV8?

I’m really toying with the idea of doing it myself now. I’ve done a variety of mechanical stuff before (brakes, belts, water pumps etc) but this is a bit more involved.

If anyone is around the North London area and fancies giving me a hand, I’ve got all the tools in the garage happy to pay for someone’s assistance haha!

I doubt the differences are significant.
The sump might be a slightly different shape, so the "wiggling" to get the rack out when the subframe has been lowered might be different. Paul,
2001 Discovery 2 TD5, 211,000 miles & climbing
2006 FFRR TDV8 Vogue 151,000 miles & now sold
Member of Midland (Land) Rover Owners Club, www.mroc.co.uk

I had to have mine replaced under warranty, and cost an eye watering £3400 just because of a duff seal. Crazy.

Thanks all. As to sourcing a replacement rack, I would be a bit wary of buying a second hand unit from a breakers online. I found a company that would recondition my existing one if I post it to them for 250 quid for a 3 day turn around time which didn't seem too bad. If not can you buy already reconditioned units anywhere?

I agree ref buying second hand on-line.
I was lucky I have a RR breaker within easy travelling distance.

I was even more wary of on-line reconditioners as many don't describe what they replace / recondition - although hopefully you can find out if you can talk to them via phone.

My failed rack had a severely worn main housing which eventually caused the rack seals to fail catastrophically.
I'm not sure if the housing replacement is easily sourced - other than second hand. Paul,
2001 Discovery 2 TD5, 211,000 miles & climbing
2006 FFRR TDV8 Vogue 151,000 miles & now sold
Member of Midland (Land) Rover Owners Club, www.mroc.co.uk

Is there any difference between the 4.4TV8 rack and the 3.6? Just looking at these two ebay items, cant see any real difference other than the price?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RANGE-ROVER-VOG...1438.l2649

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RANGE-ROVER-VOG...1438.l2649

I have spoken to someone reasonably local to me who would be trustworthy enough that if I sent a rack to them they would refurbish properly rather than a half job. Hence my thinking is buy a second hand unit from ebay and then send off for refurbishment.

Just because they look the same does not mean they are...

Find the part number of your rack and make sure you get the same one... there could be several available with small differences that will make them not work...

Search Microcat in the WIKI or phone your local main dealer....  Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand Sold
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

I've managed to finally source a reconditioned steering rack at a reasonable price. From speaking to a variety of different suppliers there is a difference between the 3.6TDV8 rack and the 4.4TDV8 one. If I can rope my friend in to assisting me this weekend then I'll do it then.

I have noticed that the near side front wheel is wearing unevenly on the outer edge, yet the tracking was only done approx a month ago and I'm not noticing any significant play in the steering other than its dripping out fluid. Might this be a sign that the lower arms etc are on their way out too?

Nothing wrong with recon racks, had one in my last one. Good Luck.