C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

C4 86 Rack N Pinion

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Old Aug 11, 2013 | 11:42 PM
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Default C4 86 Rack N Pinion

Has anyone else had any problems with a leaking Rack N Pinion? My original rack started leaking about 8 years ago. I purchased a reman through Advanced at that time, and 8 years later it started leaking. I called all over the United States and NO ONE, had a rack. BY chance, I found a remanufactured sport rack at a garage in Atlanta. I purchased it, installed it and two days later it was leaking from the dust cover. I took it out, returned it and they shipped it to Texas to have it remanufactured again. Now, here I am four weeks later, and it is leaking again. I am baffled as to why it continues to leak. Does anyone have any ideas? By the way, I replaced all the lines and flushed the power steering unit.
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Old Aug 12, 2013 | 01:57 AM
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I'm sure your using the correct fluid and installation procedures.
Seems your having a run of bad luck.

Not that I would use this stuff in my car/s, ever try the stop leak stuff?

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Old Aug 12, 2013 | 03:25 AM
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I recently replaced my rack with one from Lonestar Caliper Co. in Texas. I was under there a few days ago and found that it is leaking at the end on the driver's side. I didn't look at the passenger side.

You can buy a rack seal kit from AutoZone:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search

Most people here recommend Turn One for rebuilding your rack. You send it to them and they rebuild it and send back your rack. I talked to them and you have to come up with a box to send it in. They do not furnish boxes. I went with Lonestar because they sent me a rebuilt rack and I sent them mine in their box for a core refund.

Here's a link to an article on what Turn One does during a rack rebuild:

http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_11...d/viewall.html
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Old Aug 12, 2013 | 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by smurf5995
Has anyone else had any problems with a leaking Rack N Pinion? My original rack started leaking about 8 years ago. I purchased a reman through Advanced at that time, and 8 years later it started leaking. I called all over the United States and NO ONE, had a rack. BY chance, I found a remanufactured sport rack at a garage in Atlanta. I purchased it, installed it and two days later it was leaking from the dust cover. I took it out, returned it and they shipped it to Texas to have it remanufactured again. Now, here I am four weeks later, and it is leaking again. I am baffled as to why it continues to leak. Does anyone have any ideas? By the way, I replaced all the lines and flushed the power steering unit.
Contact Rock Auto. They have had them in the recent past. I bought a 1.75 ratio two years ago. That's a pretty esoteric piece, so I would guess stock would be "in stock" ??


TJM
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Old Aug 12, 2013 | 08:48 AM
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now you have me wanting to go look under my 86. Used to ride the same school bus as your local judge, Bobby Peters.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 01:08 AM
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Yes, correct type of fluid has been used.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 01:13 AM
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I thought about rebuilding my own, but figured I would need specialized tools and there is probably a degree of skill necessary to get it right. When I was calling around looking for a rack, I could not find one anywhere. On hind sight, I should have went with someone like Turn One. Instead, after about 15 phone calls I was able to locate one at American Corvette in Atlanta. Turns out, the one they had was a rebuild from Lonestar Caliper. American shipped it back for me. However, after two trips to Atlanta I would have been better off just paying for the shipping fees. Once again, I am between a rock and a hard place. I have already forked over $235.oo for a new rack, that is leaking. I am leery about sending it back. I almost think I should just attempt to rebuild it myself if I can find the instructions.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 01:18 AM
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When I was calling around looking, I contacted Rock Auto, and their web site indicated they had one in stock. When I called them, they did not have one in stock. Everywhere I called said they had no idea when they would get another rack in to rebuild. Right now my only option is to return it to American Corvette "again" and have them ship to Lonestar. Well, I guess the other option is to buy another one...trade this one and spend another $200 plus. I greatly appreciate the advice from everyone...wish someone could tell me why this thing keeps going out.....all I can think of is cheap Chinese seals.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 02:09 AM
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Originally Posted by smurf5995
I purchased it, installed it and two days later it was leaking from the dust cover. I took it out, returned it and they shipped it to Texas to have it remanufactured again. Now, here I am four weeks later, and it is leaking again. I am baffled as to why it continues to leak. Does anyone have any ideas? By the way, I replaced all the lines and flushed the power steering unit.
Where is the leak this time? You mentioned "dust cover". What are you considering the "dust cover? If it's the end cap that would have the code on it and be "silver dollar sized in diameter, that is likely still a service part. If it's leaking from a boot through the internals of the rack it likely needs "sleeved" and I believe you might need to do a TurnOne build to correct that.

I doubt it's the Chinese seals and I believe you'd need to confirm the seal is the source of the leak and then confirm the "sourcing" of the service part!

Last edited by WVZR-1; Aug 14, 2013 at 02:19 AM.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by WVZR-1
Where is the leak this time? You mentioned "dust cover". What are you considering the "dust cover? If it's the end cap that would have the code on it and be "silver dollar sized in diameter, that is likely still a service part. If it's leaking from a boot through the internals of the rack it likely needs "sleeved" and I believe you might need to do a TurnOne build to correct that.

I doubt it's the Chinese seals and I believe you'd need to confirm the seal is the source of the leak and then confirm the "sourcing" of the service part!
The dust cover with the WT stamped on it.....it is the metal dollar sized disk as you state. It is most definitely coming from this location. This is the same place it was leaking from before. When I remove the cover, there is packing grease in there, however, when I remove this and observe what is happening, I can see the power steering fluid leaking from around the seals. Bottom line, is I know exactly where the source of the leak is.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 06:27 PM
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Maybe your pump is making too much pressure and knocking out your rack seals ??
I have only replaced my rack, so that is the extent of my power steering experience.
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Old Aug 14, 2013 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by smurf5995
The dust cover with the WT stamped on it.....it is the metal dollar sized disk as you state. It is most definitely coming from this location. This is the same place it was leaking from before. When I remove the cover, there is packing grease in there, however, when I remove this and observe what is happening, I can see the power steering fluid leaking from around the seals. Bottom line, is I know exactly where the source of the leak is.
A GM/Saginaw rack is pretty basic from car to car. Here's a resealing with snapshots that should interest you. The stub-shaft bearing kit fits A/J bodied cars also. If you're interested in doing a reseal yourself this should help you decide. The first paragraph of tutorial is important and is what I understand is the "sleeving required" of the Corvette rack.

http://www.a-body.net/forums/showthr...gear-Resealing
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 02:23 PM
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@WVZR-1 - Thanks for posting the link to that rack re-build; great tips and terrific photos!
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Old Aug 23, 2013 | 04:25 PM
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One surefire fix for your problems. There is currently a group buy for c4 manual steering racks. No more leaks.
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