OT - Car Rack and Pinion Questions

npowell · Jul 31, 2021

My better half took the car into a local shop for service. The technician found a torn passenger-side rack boot. There is some milky looking lubricant on the tie rod end inside the torn boot.

A while back, I replaced the other rack boot. When I did, I put grease on the rack. I think the milky looking lubricant could be the grease I applied, having been exposed to water through the torn rack boot.

Technician told my better half that the milky looking lubricant definitely means power steering fluid is leaking inside the rack and pinion. Technician says the rack should be bone dry. Technician says the solution is replace entire rack and pinion.

This raises a few questions for me
1. Should the rack really be bone dry (meaning not even some grease)?
2. If the rack and pinion seeps a bit of power steering fluid, is that really a significant problem (assuming we keep the reservoir topped up)?
3. If the rack and pinion is leaking power steering fluid, is replacing the whole rack and pinion the most cost-effective repair?

Thanks so much,

Neil

MARK ROBKE · Jul 31, 2021

Has anyone added power steering fluid to it? Mark.

Stephen Newell · Jul 31, 2021

For right now I agree with Mark and monitor the power steering fluid. There is a piston in the rack and pinion for the power steering and it could be leaking. Over the long haul it would need to be torn down and at least the boot replaced. If I was there I would replace the entire works so the technician may be correct.

npowell · Jul 31, 2021

I do not think any power steering fluid has been added. Once I get home from work, I plan to check the power steering fluid level. In any event, the steering feels normal.

Having thought about it more, I now realize the grease I added to the driver's side of the rack would not be on the passenger's side. As you noted, there is the piston in the middle. Sounds like a new rack and pinion may be needed. At a minimum, no doubt the boot needs replaced. Ho hum.

MarkB_MI · Jul 31, 2021

You'll definitely know when that rack starts leaking. The pool of oil under the car will be one clue.

Steve@Advance · Jul 31, 2021

In a perfect world, yes the area inside the boot will be dry.

The grease you added will transfer to the opposite side because there is a vent tube connecting the 2 sides, it equalizes the air as one side goes in while the other goes out.

If it's not leaking, and the inner tie rod sockets are tight, just clean away any road grit and replace the boot. Driving it with a bad boot will eventually start it to leaking.

Even if it's starting to leak a little, try some Lucas power steering stop leak. It softens and swells the seals, works very well.

If you plan on keeping the car eventually the rack will need to be replaced. You will get a rebuilt unit complete with inner tie rods. Don't expect high quality, or it to last as long as the original.

When the rack is replaced, the alignment will need to be done unless you DIY and get it as close as you can with the home made toe-in measuring method. Otherwise the shop that does it will say it needs struts and outer tie rod ends and whatever else they can sell, so get ready for a substantial bill!

jimg.allentown · Jul 31, 2021

I would replace the boot and call it good. Power steering fluid is either red or the color of engine oil depending on what oil your system uses.

If you had any significant leakage, you would be having a small pool of oil in one or the other boot. Not necessarily milky looking. There is usually some amount of grease in the inner tie rod ends. They do not necessarily run dry or they would wear out prematurely.

Best to keep track of fluid usage. If it is using fluid, it is probably leaking. If it is leaking, it is most economical to replace the rack. Resealing a steering rack is an involved procedure that requires a lot of special tools and is time consuming. I had to reseal a couple of them in the early days of rack and pinion steering being in common use. It proved to be too costly in shop time to be practical.

Also note that a couple of ounces of DOT 3 brake fluid will do wonders for leaking steering racks.

npowell · Jul 31, 2021

Thanks, guys! That's helpful. I'll follow your recommendations and see if we might get a few more years before replacing the R&P.

gtractorfan · Jul 31, 2021

Since you're on the topic, what do you think of cranking the steering wheel while the vehicle isn't moving? I think it puts extra strain on the steering components. I try to avoid doing this which I've seen others do.

OT - Car Rack and Pinion Questions

npowell

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MARK ROBKE

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

npowell

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MarkB_MI

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

jimg.allentown

Well-known Member

npowell

Member

gtractorfan

Well-known Member

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