Steering Rack Leaking

[Dano91]

Hi all -

I unbolted and slightly pulled out my steering rack over the weekend to install aluminum rack bushings. I buttoned it all back up and took it for a drive and everything was great. I pulled the car in from the driveway and noticed a big mess of power steering fluid on the ground so something is leaking quite a bit. I need to drop the rack back out and inspect one day this week but I figured in the mean time I would pose the question here on what to look out for - is it possible I knocked a line loose (is this even possible?) or more likely damaged something? I was pretty gentle with it and don't recall jarring it too much. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Blkkbgt]

Hi all -

I unbolted and slightly pulled out my steering rack over the weekend to install aluminum rack bushings. I buttoned it all back up and took it for a drive and everything was great. I pulled the car in from the driveway and noticed a big mess of power steering fluid on the ground so something is leaking quite a bit. I need to drop the rack back out and inspect one day this week but I figured in the mean time I would pose the question here on what to look out for - is it possible I knocked a line loose (is this even possible?) or more likely damaged something? I was pretty gentle with it and don't recall jarring it too much. Any input is appreciated.

I'd guess you either accidently damaged damaged a line or loosened it. If the leak is a bad as it sounds I think you'll be able to isolate it quickly.

 

[railroad]

The solid mounts might have torqued the internal tube shape of the steering rack. Seems I installed one and the instructions were, " void if solid mounts were used".

 

[Dano91]

I took a look and the steel line that runs to the passenger side was heavily corroded and finished breaking off when I tried to tighten it down (on the top). There has been a slow drip since I got the car, that must have been it. Can that line itself be replaced or get a new rack? Could I bend my own? It sounds like bleeding these things are no fun.