My trusty Explorer with 260K+ miles has developed a slow power steering fluid leak at the steering rack. Since that part is over $300, and the leak is real slow, we tried using some stop leak, which seemed to work for a few months, but now it has started again. The onlyt obvious symptom is a whine developing at the pump when the fluid level drops, which occurs every 2-4 weeks. Is there an alternative to buying a new rack?
=Vic= Bear Gap, PA
What are you using for PS fluid, ATF? If ATF, flush with an approved proper PS fluid, (do two flushes if necessary to get out all the old ATF) and refill with PS fluid, and I suspect the leak may go away.
ATF is a bear: it really, really wants to leak out of everything it can.
Thanks, Peter. Nope, used only PS fluid. Even replaced it with fresh with a boost in seal sweller additive and that stopped it for a while. Since then, top it off with one of the available PS fluids sold at the convenience store, as a rule. I suppose the $300+ price is a new steering rack. I wonder if rebuilt racks are much cheaper?
=Vic= Bear Gap, PA
I'd guess $300 is perhaps new.
CarQuest list for one is $189.xx which is really not that bad. That includes inner tie-rod ends.
PeterD wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:
Check Rockauto.com. Best prices hands down.
I'm sure online will beat most of the B&M stores. The only significant issues are warranty/support if there is a problem, and wait time to fill the order. (If I'm not in a hurry, and the part is likely not to need warranty or support, I'm usually going to look online, too...)
Just curious - is it really OK to switch to PS fluid? My manual on my '98 EB says to use Mercon ATF. I too have some minor leaks...
Well, if you want to follow the maker's recomemdations (for a 98, who cares? ) you could try a bottle of 'ATF stop leak'.
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