Conrad

iTrader: (20)

My power steering is not working. The fluid looks fine, no weird noises, there's been a very slow leak from the driver's side boot on the rack, but it never affected anything. The car has 83k miles. This happened after a few rain donuts. Is it the pump?

By the way, is there any way to fix the leak from the boot on the rack? It's probably one of the seals inside, right?

Anyone know if I should get a new rack or try to fix the seals in the one I have?

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

Anyone?

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like your pump is bad. There's a pressure valve in the pump that bleeds pressure when the pump creates more than the system needs. If that thing sticks open, you won't get any pressure built up in the system.

346ci

I agree sounds like a pump, a quick backyard check for the power steering pump is turn your wheels all the way one direction and bounce the steering wheel off the steering locks and have a buddy see if the power steering lines bounce. If they don't bounce it means you do not have pressure and more than likely need a pump.

As far as the leak, that's internal on the rack and not serviceable as far as I know. I replaced my rack when it started leaking at the boot.

CranMaro99

iTrader: (10)

Of course it happens after a few donuts

Pretty sure the pump is a goner.

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

Well actually, ever since the power steering went out, the leak from the rack has gotten worse. So I'll need to replace that either way I'm probably going to replace the rack first and go from there.

JUSTINSWS6

You will need a new pump too.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

^^^ +1 If the pump was good and the leak was the problem, you'd have no fluid left in they system at all.

Best to change everything out while you are working on the rack. Just replacing one component is a messy job in itself. If you get it all over with, you won't have to go back for a long time. (You should also replace the cooler, while you are at it:https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...g-success.html)

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

Oh man the dollars are racking up, there goes part of my tax return.

I don't think I'll do the power steering cooler, I don't do much 'road racing'.

JUSTINSWS6

Wait till you buy a new motor new transmission and a new rear end

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

I'd never buy those things new unless they were deeply discounted I'm just hoping those don't become expenses.

JUSTINSWS6

The motor was ... Still expensive tranny and rear where not

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

Heck, I'd probably try to find a junkyard 6.0 and build the hell outta it.

JUSTINSWS6

It wouldnt make as much power as this one and this one has all forged callie internals. Safe to rev and shift at 8k rpms.

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

I don't push my car to it's limits so it's ok.

Back on topic, shall we...

JUSTINSWS6

So how much is all of that going to cost to replace all of it?

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

If your car is newer than a '99, then it came from the factory with a PS Cooler. The cooler is there to protect the new power steering pump you are going to put in. (Its not for racing.)

The original design runs a little hot and is notorious for cross-contaminating the coolant and PS fluid. (This would also clobber all the nice new parts you are about to put in.)

A rail cooler should be in the neighborhood of $35. IMO - good insurance if you are putting all new parts in the system.

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

The pump is $85 with a core, and the rack is going to be $150 with a core. I'll probably go with a reman. off ebay. My local auto stores quoted me $240 for the rack, no thanks...

It's not a lot of money to some people, but I'm only 18 working a part time job busting my *** for 32 hours a week, during school, for the weekly $200. :/


Edit: Looks like a different power steering cooler is a better idea seeing as it's $35. Does it replace the factory one? Does that mean I'll have to replace the coolant hose and also reflush the coolant? I just flushed it out 2 days ago!

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

I and lots of other people have had really bad luck with reman rotating parts. I'd say a reman rack is a safer bet than a pump. Although, you could do something like this to the rack: (Warning - this video made me feel... dirty.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrtQwjjLQFA

It sounds like you have a good pump core. (With a gummed up flow control valve: http://www.cdxetextbook.com/steersus...trolvalve.html) If money is an issue, you might look at installing a used pump from another car and keeping your core for later when you can do a proper rebuild on it. (Send it away in the future so you get the same core back.)

Or, if you are adventurous, you could try putting in a new flow control valve, but there's no guarantee that will solve the problem and I'm not sure how one would go about getting the parts.

Yes. More details are in and linked from the thread I attached above.

Good point. You would need a new hose, but you would not have to flush. (Just drain and re-fill the radiator.) So, the non-cooler hose would be an extra expense.

Conrad

iTrader: (20)

I pulled out the old pump today, the shaft was broken clean on the inside, you could pull it right out! How in the world does that happen? My teacher said too much torque...my car is stock.

I ran out of time for assembly (doing it at auto class at school) so tomorrow I'll finish it and report back. Hopefully I don't have to replace the rack. I'll definitely look into the aftermarket PS coolers.