Power Steering Rack fixed along with PS pump bearings??

[jack mccarthy]

Well, as I've commented in the past; my steering rack was replaced over 50K miles ago and started leaking after 8 months with some drippage in the dust boots. I was stupid at the time and took the dealership's word that that it was "normal" even though the visit wasn't documented. I've also had an issue where the vehicle would whine greatly on cold days for 3-4 minutes after start up. I traced the problem to the bearings in the PS pump where as of two months ago could be clearly heard coming from the unit using a paper towel tube to my ear.

Over the last year, my boots have been darkened from fluid on the bottom half of the boot; typically after a drive. If I let the vehicle sit for more than 3 days, it'll start to dry up.

I've tried replacing the PS fluid with Dexron V with no improvement and I've also added 1 1/2 times the recommended amount of Auto-RX and flushed it out with more Dexron V after driving almost 1500 miles. Finally, I started using the Lucas power steering stop leak. The first few tablespoons of it in my reservoir did nothing, but my second administration actually made the leak dry up almost completely! Also, the bearing noise is gone. I'm not sure if that's related or not, but I'm happy.

The only downside is the darkened fluid reservoir as you can see from slowly adding the Lucas power steering stop leak additive. I'll try and add pictures of the before/after for the boots at a later time.

[tundrunk]

What a pain. Glad your leak went away.

[kerryman71]

Well, apparently the leak travelled westward and has moved into my truck! Had the steering rack replaced earlier this week and the mechanic told me that the high pressure hose was in questionable shape so to keep an eye out for it. I was thinking that it was going to snap when he disconnected it and I would have to replace it anyway, but when he said it wasn't leaking (yet) and I got a couple days out of it I thought I was in the clear. Sure enough where it connects into the steering rack sprung a leak today and is p*ssing out at a great rate. Just ordered the the setup. The truck will have to sit for about another week until I get it and can have him fix it.

John

[jack mccarthy]

Well, apparently the leak travelled westward and has moved into my truck! Had the steering rack replaced earlier this week and the mechanic told me that the high pressure hose was in questionable shape so to keep an eye out for it. I was thinking that it was going to snap when he disconnected it and I would have to replace it anyway, but when he said it wasn't leaking (yet) and I got a couple days out of it I thought I was in the clear. Sure enough where it connects into the steering rack sprung a leak today and is p*ssing out at a great rate. Just ordered the the setup. The truck will have to sit for about another week until I get it and can have him fix it.

John

Wow. That does truly suck. Sorry to hear, especially after paying around $900 to get the rack replaced. I don't think that hose is cheap either. Didn't know my problems could migrate to others. Usually with my luck, I get everything fixed and up to snuff, and the next week someone totals my vehicle!

Hope your guy can give you a break on the part prices & labor.

EDIT: It appears my bearing noise has come back, it's just about 1/2 bad as it used to be though. I've been living with it for 4-5 years; so I think I can continue to live with it since it goes away after a few minutes.

[kerryman71]

Yeah, he told me about an hour and a half labor. He trusts me enough to supply the parts, which I just ordered online for about $400. Something told me I should've done it all at once, but at $330 just for the line I decided against it. In the end, it obviously would've been cheaper if I had done it all at once.

John