Well this is not looking good. After the steering rack was rebuilt and realigned there is a odd loose feeling when transitioning from one direction to the other. There does not appear to be any free play in the wheels. When I turn the steering wheel at all, the wheels respond. It was worse before I had it aligned and tightened the coupler bolt. Also when going over road bumps and turns I get some feedback/pushback from the steering. If I hold the wheel firmly the tires stay in position. When I turn the wheel for a turn about halfway through the steering wheel will push back. Is this unusual? The steering effort is much easier, I can turn with minimal effort (Cadallac like). I'm just not sure if this feedback was built into the steering or was the rebuild incomplete?

Next, there is clearly a leak coming from near the steering rack. The portion of the cross member just below the steering box (toward the engine) has residual fluid on it, and I have wiped it off several times (comes back after half a day). It also seems to be dropping down on the garage floor just behind the drivers side aft spring bracket bolt. Feeling with my fingers, there is residual fluid at the bottom of the steering box. I put a sheet of newspaper under the car last night. It had drops of fluid on it this morning.

I have contacted the shop that handled the rebuild (it was sub-contracted). They will take care of me.

For the issue of the excessive feedback in the steering, could the preload need to be adjusted? I think this could be done from the top if the ASC were unbolted and moved. But how fragile is the unit and could it be damaged. In other words, should I just leave it alone?

All references on the forum to a leak in the steering rack say it has to be rebuilt. But I'll ask again, anyone ever fix a leak? I haven been able to determine the source of the leak. I have access to a lift, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. When I do I'll try to determine the leaking point.

So, what can I expect from this?

 

Check your high pressure line for your power steering, I replaced my rack to find out that it was just my high pressure line....
I cant really help you with the pushing you are feeling though, I do know that after I changed and bled the fluid out on mine it did feel a lot different and almost felt like it did not take any effort to steer for a little while.

 

It's hard to see down there. Can you give me a little guidance as to where the high pressure line if run. I am guessing it's the covered line that comes down and goes under the steering box? But I will definitely check it. Thanks

I'm sure that with a rebuilt rack, new alignment, and fluid, there are bound to be some changes.

What I would like some people to chime in and comment on the expected feedback of the steering assembly while driving.

 

The high pressure line is the inboard one of the two that actually connect to the rack when you are looking at it from the wheel well. It also runs behind the rack and up into the bottom of the pump where the other one runs to the front of the rack and to the reservoir. Its a real pain to replace because its hard to get the threads to line up on the new line.
BTW crows foot wrenches are your friend when removing the lines.

 

There doesn't appear to be anything worng with the high pressure line. All indications are that it's coming from the the steering sensor.

 

You mean leaking where the wires connect at the rack? Those actually are not for a steering sensor.

FYI, the leak won't be at the end of the line. The fluid will be bleeding right through the rubber of the line.

Peter

 

Yea I guess I should have specified that it would be seeping through the rubber. You may have to pull the plastic covering away to figure it out.
I had fluid all over the place from my high pressure line so it was hard to tell where it was coming from.