It's hard to believe that it needs both a new rack and a new control unit/pump since these are two separate assemblies and it's only hydraulic fluid that links them.
I'd get a second opinion if I were you.
But surely the rack doesn't have any electrical contacts; it's purely a mechanical assembly isn't it?
Yes - and that's not really part of the rack anyway.The only electrical item that could be classed as part of the rack is the steering angle sensor
there was water on the contacts of the pump & rack same on control unit, got it checked out at work as i work for vw commercials but couldnt get it done there, just need to know how water got on to contacts.
Yes mine went on Friday night, it's going in tomorrow
control unti is built into the rack inself i think, getting my car back tomorrow so will find out why everything did fail.
The pumps are prone to water ingress, they no longer have any electrical connections on the rack. its all done through an angle sensor on the upper column. sounds more like they have no idea what's failed and want to change everything to cover their backs.
2008 is mk4/mk5 change over time so it's mk4 gear on a mk5 chassis. esp requires direct wheel feedback so it uses the window box on the column.
Water logged pumps are a common fault. I dare say a new pump will cure the issue. there's a tech bulletin on the subject.
Not to hand but any dealer who has the chassis number for an applicable ibiza/toledo should.