fluid in tie rod inner boots
10-12-2010, 12:53 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
fluid in tie rod inner boots
Changed out both inner tie rods because they were making knocking noises
when i slid the boots off the tie rod the corregated part of the boot had what looked like power steering fluid.
Both boots had the fluid, the inner tie rods had no grease on them and apperaredd to be wet from the fluid.
the boots have no cracks in them and the car has 165,000 miles
i believe the tie rods were the origional ones
(I've owned the car since 50,000 miles)
there was about 1/2 oz of fluid in each inner boot.
the steering in the car seems fine now after putting the new tie rods in
but I wonder if the grease in the new tie rods will get washed away.
I didnt see anthing seeping or leaking from the rack.
and the power steering fluid is at a good level.
so is this normal the fluid or is my rack starting to leak?
when i slid the boots off the tie rod the corregated part of the boot had what looked like power steering fluid.
Both boots had the fluid, the inner tie rods had no grease on them and apperaredd to be wet from the fluid.
the boots have no cracks in them and the car has 165,000 miles
i believe the tie rods were the origional ones
(I've owned the car since 50,000 miles)
there was about 1/2 oz of fluid in each inner boot.
the steering in the car seems fine now after putting the new tie rods in
but I wonder if the grease in the new tie rods will get washed away.
I didnt see anthing seeping or leaking from the rack.
and the power steering fluid is at a good level.
so is this normal the fluid or is my rack starting to leak?
10-12-2010, 04:19 PM
#3
Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 96
The hydraulic cylinder in your rack needs to be lubricated or else it will seize.
Thanks
10-12-2010, 05:23 PM
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 17
The steering rack has outter seals to prevent fluid from leaking. If a bearing or bushing in the rack has a lot of play the whole rack can move and make fluid leak past the seals. I wouldn't worry about it for right now since the car has so many miles and you don't know how long it's been happening for.
Keep an eye on the fluid level, be observant of new steering noises/roughness, etc. Maybe next oil change take a peak in the boots again to make sure no more fluid has leaked out. Otherwise the rack needs to be rebuilt/replaced.
Keep an eye on the fluid level, be observant of new steering noises/roughness, etc. Maybe next oil change take a peak in the boots again to make sure no more fluid has leaked out. Otherwise the rack needs to be rebuilt/replaced.
11-28-2010, 08:10 AM
#7
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 7
steering rack leak
I noticed power steering fluid on the underside of the inner tie rod boot and on the rack itself. It ended up being a lose nut on the what I guess is a drain port for the unit. I was able to use a pair of pliers to tighten it but to do it right, I should have bought a 24mm wrench (it could also be a 23mm not sure). I have no idea how this could have worked itself loose.
03-24-2011, 09:59 PM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 69
still leaking
I looked at the boots agian and they have fluid in them and it washed all the grease off the tie rods.
PDTASS where is the bolt you tightened?
and
I am not leaking alot of fluid the power steering isnt get low at all.
Is there a re-build seal kit that I could install on the rack while it is still installed in the car?
PDTASS where is the bolt you tightened?
and
I am not leaking alot of fluid the power steering isnt get low at all.
Is there a re-build seal kit that I could install on the rack while it is still installed in the car?
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