I started noticing a small leak around my driver side area. It would leave a small drops overnight. I got it looked at today and my mechanic told me my rack & pinion is leaking. I always used Synthetic Power Steering fluid and the car has 165K miles on the rack and pinion.

Should I just replace the rack & pinion with a new '99 SE one or should I just do a flush and add some power steering stop leak? What do you guys think?

 

Try the stop leak, cant hurt i dont think

 

Stop leak may worl and we dont use PS fluid. we use ATF.

 

Early systems did use PS fluid i thought

 

I would start by flushing the system with DexronIII ATF - the proper fluid. this may solve your leak. I'm guessing the leak is related to your use of non-approved PS fluid. I personally would avoid the stop leak, last thing you want is your pump getting gummed up.

 

I'm no expert, but I replaced my rack and pinion on my 97 maxima a couple days ago at 103k miles. Basically I had a lot of shaking left and right in the steering wheel, especially noticeable when I was on the freeway. If you don't have that problem, don't replace it. I read some reviews about the place I took my car to saying it was fair and honest, but I paid $400 bucks just for the part itself and probably a couple hours of labor. Rip-off? Probably. I don't want to talk about it.

 

Where is it leaking? If it's leaking from the PS hoses, then reposition each hose clamp and retighten.

If it's leaking from the inner tie rod boot, find a new rack.

Dave

 

I'm contemplating replacing it because the steering doesn't feel that loose. Or maybe that's just my imagination and it can be tighter. The leak is from the driver's side by the boot it's definitely leaking from the rack.

 

If it's leaking from the rack replace it. Mine was pretty loose feeling, and replacing the rack pretty much solved it. Get the 99, and maybe get a rebuilt one. Used is taking a gamble, and after doing that job I wish I had done a rebuilt 99 instead of a lower mileage 97 rack.

The downer is that replacing the rack requires dropping the front end of the y-pipe and some joyous wrenching in tight spots. It's DIY'able but have your ratcheting box wrenches handy.

Dave

 

Should I get just the "rack" or the whole "steering rack". The difference in price between the two is ten-fold.

 

Bump to the top anyone?

 

I think you should flush it (a real flush with some transtune and using the return line) and then put in some stop leak. If that doesnt work, or if that is not what you want to do, take it to the same mechanic and find out which part it is that will needed to be replaced.

 

let me repeat - you have the wrong fluid in there. maybe if you flush it out and put the correct fluid in your problems will disappear. a fluid change is cheap and easy. a new steering rack is not.

 

I charge $20 + materials for a flush.

and not that turkey baster crap either.