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Bottle was low so have topped it up....

Is this likely to mean I have a leak somewhere. Its on an 02 polo tdi with 105k on the clock. Did have to drop the subframe to do the bushes so rack got moved round a bit then but did tie it to support it.

Please tell me they can just loose some over time.

How low was it and what quantity of fluid did you need to add? The lip on the bottom of the cap is the COLD level and the HOT level is only a little bit higher - it does not need to be filled up any higher than that. Rack end seals seem to be the favourite place to go and the lost fluid can be found behind the rack end bellows - that is if there are no wet patches anywhere else. Supporting it when the cross member was dropped should have saved it from being damaged.

Rummo,

Just checked and put 350ml in this took it to just over half way on the bottle measurement.

I'm guessing the rack end seals are a pig of a job like most things on this car????

Will leave it and see how long it takes to go down again if it goes down at all.

That sounds like quite a lot of lost fluid! I just hope that the level stays okay for some time as I'd think that replacing the rack fluid seals would mean rebuilding the rack - ie buying a re-conditioned one! The acid test will be if and when the extra fluid bursts or blows off the rack end bellows - this might never happen if you are lucky.

Oh what a joy, well just hope it doesn't dissappear quickly then will have a little look and see what I can see suppose the end bellows are the first place to look. Otherwise going to get some power steering stop leak I heard the Lucas one is really could and see if that works deffo don't want to really be rebuilding the rack. Thought the front bushes were the worst of the problems over.

Likely to be a burst vacuum pipe - its a common fault in VWs PAS systems for some reason...the dealerships always keep a big tub of repair kits for it!

Tell me more mate, where do I find the vacuum pipe???????