for whatever reason, my power steering rack has been leaking, making it very difficult to get the best off my car. i have shown it to two mechanics in my neighbour, both concluded the entire unit must be changed with one going on to say i'd change the pump too at 25 and 30k respectively. please advise a brother based on your experience. thank you

It can be fixed. I took a friend to Alaoji (at Aba) where he got his own fixed. There are specialist for power steering.

[quote
author=lonelydora post=27966299]It can be fixed. I took a friend to
Alaoji (at Aba) where he got his own fixed. There are specialist for
power steering. [/quote]



thanks. the people i have do not believe it can be fixed. sadly too i am not in Aba but Calabar

I trust your question is one of affordability. You have to remove the rack to replace the seal. the question is--how bad is the leak? But to be honest, you can buy a lot of power steering fluid for a lot less than the cost of removing and replacing the rack.

The most cost effective solution is to buy a few bottles of power steering fluid and keep an eye on the level of the fluid in your power steering reservoir, note when you fill it up and when it needs to be topped off again, also note how many ounces you put in. I would recommend initially checking the level every day for a week and if you don't see it going down (you probably won't) then go to checking it once a week. I think you'll find you can probably drive for a long time just topping the fluid level off.

hope that helps

AutosBay:
I trust your question is one of affordability. You have to remove the rack to replace the seal. the question is--how bad is the leak? But to be honest, you can buy a lot of power steering fluid for a lot less than the cost of removing and replacing the rack.

The most cost effective solution is to buy a few bottles of power steering fluid and keep an eye on the level of the fluid in your power steering reservoir, note when you fill it up and when it needs to be topped off again, also note how many ounces you put in. I would recommend initially checking the level every day for a week and if you don't see it going down (you probably won't) then go to checking it once a week. I think you'll find you can probably drive for a long time just topping the fluid level off.

hope that helps

Thank you so much sir. You captured the situation quite aptly. The leakage started when I least expected it. So yes, it's a question of affordability. Secondly, the situation is so bad that it almost doesn't retain the fluid for 20 minutes. I can only replace it at the end of November. I will however try your suggestion of keeping an eagle eye on it while I top fluids for the next one week or two. Thanks again for your time.

Hello,

It might be useful!

How to Repair a Rack and Pinion Leak

Step 1 - Park Car on Ramp

To get at the rack and pinion on your car you will need to crawl under the vehicle. To do this you should do it as safely as possible. A pair of heavy duty car ramps is a good option for lifting your car enough to work under it. Locate the ramps on a flat surface and carefully drive the front wheels onto them. When you reach the top of the ramps, then put the car in park and turn off the engine. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so that it does not accidentally roll.

Step 2 - Clean off Hoses

Take some time to clean off the hoses from the rack and pinion of any grease, dirt and fluids. This will help you better determine where the leak is coming from. Look at the overall condition of the hoses while you are cleaning them. You may find that they are dry and brittle and are the cause of your leak.

Step 3 - Drain Power Steering Fluid

Remove the bottom bolt on the power steering unit and drain out the fluid. Remove the fluid as you will not be using it again. You should always use fresh power steering fluid.

Step 4 - Replace Hoses

The power steering hoses that are connected to the rack and pinion are going to be connected with simple hose clamps. These can be removed by either compressing the tabs with a pair of pliers, or using a screwdriver to back out the retaining screw. Once you have loosened up the clamps remove the hoses and replace with new ones.

Step 5 - Replace Gaskets

There are a few gaskets on the rack and pinion assembly that may need to be replaced if they are dried out and worn.

Step 6 - Use Some Brake Fluid

Many people who have had some rack and pinion problems with leaking will use some brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. They do not replace the power steering fluid, but will add it into the mix. This has been successful as a short term fix in order to get you to a repair center.

Step 7 - Replace Rack and Pinion

Some leaks are caused because the rack and pinion is failing. When this happens you can use some Leak Stop to seal up some of the cracked areas, but you will need to replace the rack and pinion to stop the leaks entirely.

Export1:
Hello,

It might be useful!

How to Repair a Rack and Pinion Leak

Step 1 - Park Car on Ramp

To get at the rack and pinion on your car you will need to crawl under the vehicle. To do this you should do it as safely as possible. A pair of heavy duty car ramps is a good option for lifting your car enough to work under it. Locate the ramps on a flat surface and carefully drive the front wheels onto them. When you reach the top of the ramps, then put the car in park and turn off the engine. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so that it does not accidentally roll.

Step 2 - Clean off Hoses

Take some time to clean off the hoses from the rack and pinion of any grease, dirt and fluids. This will help you better determine where the leak is coming from. Look at the overall condition of the hoses while you are cleaning them. You may find that they are dry and brittle and are the cause of your leak.

Step 3 - Drain Power Steering Fluid

Remove the bottom bolt on the power steering unit and drain out the fluid. Remove the fluid as you will not be using it again. You should always use fresh power steering fluid.

Step 4 - Replace Hoses

The power steering hoses that are connected to the rack and pinion are going to be connected with simple hose clamps. These can be removed by either compressing the tabs with a pair of pliers, or using a screwdriver to back out the retaining screw. Once you have loosened up the clamps remove the hoses and replace with new ones.

Step 5 - Replace Gaskets

There are a few gaskets on the rack and pinion assembly that may need to be replaced if they are dried out and worn.

Step 6 - Use Some Brake Fluid

Many people who have had some rack and pinion problems with leaking will use some brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. They do not replace the power steering fluid, but will add it into the mix. This has been successful as a short term fix in order to get you to a repair center.

Step 7 - Replace Rack and Pinion

Some leaks are caused because the rack and pinion is failing. When this happens you can use some Leak Stop to seal up some of the cracked areas, but you will need to replace the rack and pinion to stop the leaks entirely.

Quite valuable. This now brings me to the point where I need tools

Export1:
Hello,

It might be useful!

How to Repair a Rack and Pinion Leak

Step 1 - Park Car on Ramp

To get at the rack and pinion on your car you will need to crawl under the vehicle. To do this you should do it as safely as possible. A pair of heavy duty car ramps is a good option for lifting your car enough to work under it. Locate the ramps on a flat surface and carefully drive the front wheels onto them. When you reach the top of the ramps, then put the car in park and turn off the engine. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so that it does not accidentally roll.

Step 2 - Clean off Hoses

Take some time to clean off the hoses from the rack and pinion of any grease, dirt and fluids. This will help you better determine where the leak is coming from. Look at the overall condition of the hoses while you are cleaning them. You may find that they are dry and brittle and are the cause of your leak.

Step 3 - Drain Power Steering Fluid

Remove the bottom bolt on the power steering unit and drain out the fluid. Remove the fluid as you will not be using it again. You should always use fresh power steering fluid.

Step 4 - Replace Hoses

The power steering hoses that are connected to the rack and pinion are going to be connected with simple hose clamps. These can be removed by either compressing the tabs with a pair of pliers, or using a screwdriver to back out the retaining screw. Once you have loosened up the clamps remove the hoses and replace with new ones.

Step 5 - Replace Gaskets

There are a few gaskets on the rack and pinion assembly that may need to be replaced if they are dried out and worn.

Step 6 - Use Some Brake Fluid

Many people who have had some rack and pinion problems with leaking will use some brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. They do not replace the power steering fluid, but will add it into the mix. This has been successful as a short term fix in order to get you to a repair center.

Step 7 - Replace Rack and Pinion

Some leaks are caused because the rack and pinion is failing. When this happens you can use some Leak Stop to seal up some of the cracked areas, but you will need to replace the rack and pinion to stop the leaks entirely.

Quite valuable. This now brings me to the point where I need tools

Export1:
Hello,

It might be useful!

How to Repair a Rack and Pinion Leak

Step 1 - Park Car on Ramp

To get at the rack and pinion on your car you will need to crawl under the vehicle. To do this you should do it as safely as possible. A pair of heavy duty car ramps is a good option for lifting your car enough to work under it. Locate the ramps on a flat surface and carefully drive the front wheels onto them. When you reach the top of the ramps, then put the car in park and turn off the engine. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels so that it does not accidentally roll.

Step 2 - Clean off Hoses

Take some time to clean off the hoses from the rack and pinion of any grease, dirt and fluids. This will help you better determine where the leak is coming from. Look at the overall condition of the hoses while you are cleaning them. You may find that they are dry and brittle and are the cause of your leak.

Step 3 - Drain Power Steering Fluid

Remove the bottom bolt on the power steering unit and drain out the fluid. Remove the fluid as you will not be using it again. You should always use fresh power steering fluid.

Step 4 - Replace Hoses

The power steering hoses that are connected to the rack and pinion are going to be connected with simple hose clamps. These can be removed by either compressing the tabs with a pair of pliers, or using a screwdriver to back out the retaining screw. Once you have loosened up the clamps remove the hoses and replace with new ones.

Step 5 - Replace Gaskets

There are a few gaskets on the rack and pinion assembly that may need to be replaced if they are dried out and worn.

Step 6 - Use Some Brake Fluid

Many people who have had some rack and pinion problems with leaking will use some brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. They do not replace the power steering fluid, but will add it into the mix. This has been successful as a short term fix in order to get you to a repair center.

Step 7 - Replace Rack and Pinion

Some leaks are caused because the rack and pinion is failing. When this happens you can use some Leak Stop to seal up some of the cracked areas, but you will need to replace the rack and pinion to stop the leaks entirely.

[quote author=Export1 post=27983564]Hello,

Quite valuable. This now brings me to the point where I need tools

Quite valuable. This now brings me to the point where I need tools

Pally, its nt worth dis streSs abeg, I dnt knw d brand of car u have, bt if I were u, I wil go n disconnect d steering pump, and drive d car like dat til u get money to buy the entire steering rack. Coz if u continue to drive d car with dat oil leakage, u wil eventually damage d pump and dats expensive to fix. Jst buy a new steering rack and frget abt working d old one. Steering is quite durable . Thanks

Were you able to fix it, mine just got bad

castrokins:




thanks. the people i have do not believe it can be fixed. sadly too i am not in Aba but Calabar

I Haven't, Brother. Still Stuff And Hard But
I Am Already Used To It!

ayegeorge:
Were you able to fix it, mine just got bad

my steering rack pulled out this night, im also im based in calabar, I'll be going to Bedwell to check if they can fix it, Aye George : 07038343916 in case somthin comes up

castrokins:
I Haven't, Brother. Still Stuff And Hard But
I Am Already Used To It!

So Sorry, Dear Brother. What Car Is It? I Hope You Got Home Before The Curfew?

ayegeorge:
my steering rack pulled out this night, im also im based in calabar, I'll be going to Bedwell to check if they can fix it, Aye George : 07038343916 in case somthin comes up

Yeah, just entering my street then it happened

castrokins:
So Sorry, Dear Brother. What Car Is It? I Hope You Got Home Before The Curfew?