1993 J30 Steering rack locked up

[Jeff Williams]

Joel, a friend, has a 1993 J30 standard. I replaced his steering boots 2 weeks ago, along with his strut boots. The passenger side steering rack boot had a crack in it, and there was some dirty grease on the cylinder and in the boot. It was wet, but didn't look like a leak. He has no spots on his driveway from it. I didn't think much of it, cleanded it off, and installed the new boot.

He was driving in a terrential downpoar of rain this morning, and pulled into a parking lot with about a 20 degree incline. While going up the incline, his steering rack locked, and he couldn't turn the wheel left or right. I am not sure whether the wheels were straight or not when it locked up. He said it felt like it was the rack that was locked, and not the steering wheel. He backed up out of the parking lot, and started back straight in, then tried to turn right into a space. He said it was really hard, and would barely turn, but did. Now the car seems to be fine.

Could this be the first signs of a rack going bad, or could it be trash in the fluid that needs to be flushed?

I tried a search, but found nothing similar in the old posts.

I doubt he has ever flushed the fluid.

I am planning to replace all 4 struts and his starter in the coming weeks. If there is anything I can do to fix this, let me know.

Thanks for the help!

[Jeff Williams]

BUMP!

Any experience with steering hanging up, or being stiff?

What are the first signs of rack failure?

Any help would be appreciated.

[metaverse3]

When rack lockup happens, first thing to investigate is the steering pump. Start there first..

[DominickJ30]

Maybe his power steering just went out?

I know I would notice a big difference cuz the Js steering is like butter .

[driverdriver]

Shades of my Chrysler Daytona in the 80's. That car had the same symptoms randomly at low speed. The problem was resolved with new steering belts for the rack and pinion setup and power steering pump.

[Jeff Williams]

Thanks guys. I'll check the pump and belts.