How serious is a leaking steering rack??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
How serious is a leaking steering rack??
Seems I found a new way to spend some money. I have a couple of puddles under the control arms, looks like dark thin oily fluid. Thought it might have been a bad shock, but no such luck. Can I drive it this way? Will it sieze up or break anyother parts before I get around to fixing it? :cry
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse NY
Re: How serious is a leaking steering rack?? (Roadster89)
If you run too low in powersteering fluid, your system will really start to squeal at you. I would keep a quart of PS fluid in the car and if it starts to make lots of noise when you turn the wheel, then fill 'er up. I don't think you should have any major problems as long as the leak is not too bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
Re: How serious is a leaking steering rack?? (Roadster89)
My 89 was leaking really bad around the seal where the steering column shaft goes in, like up to a quart a month if I drove it a lot. I dealt with this for 9 months before I broke down and replaced my steering rack, pump, and all hoses. When it gets low you'll hear a growl coming from the pump, really low and you'll feel resistance in the steering wheel. You might try some power steering sealant, added to the fluid, and see if you can stop it. Driving with low fluid can, over time, cause pump wear. If/when you decide to replace the rack check with a dealer or other source for a genuine A/C Delco remanufactured rack. Some have posted that they were dissatisfied with aftermarket racks. It's a real pain to replace and you only want to do it once. I bought my A/C Delco reman. for $200 from a dealer, less than $50 more than aftermarket racks, and I have been pleased with the fit and performance.
Good Luck!! :flag
Good Luck!! :flag
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,286
Likes: 4
From: Guam
Re: How serious is a leaking steering rack?? (Frodo)
As long as you can keep fluid in it, it should be okay. I feel sorry for your garage and all the parking spaces that you park in. I watched a lady one time fall in a parking lot by slipping on some oil that a car left. It kind of got me thinking about fixing my cars that have leaks. I would not want that to happen to my mom or my wife or anybody else for that matter.
:cheers:
:cheers:
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,994
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, WV
Re: How serious is a leaking steering rack?? (KJB21)
yup you'll be fine.......mine's been pouring for about a year now......I will reseal mine and I have the seals but not the time.......it's my only car..... I found some good stop leak at the local NAPA store......... it pours like molasses but it seems to really help ........but it won't fix it.......... and also if it's in there and the car sits overnight in a parking lot it may steer stiff until it warms up in the morning.......... :seeya
