Power Steering issues(with Pic)

[tomthumb12345]

Sorry for the bad quality(camera phone)
This is a pic where my power steering is located. As you can see i removed both hoses from reservoir.
The one i'm holding is the return hose. Its the one that goes directly from the pump to the reservoir.


i have a 99Q45t,
For the past few weeks my power steering has being giving my problems.
It bubbles and rattle, and at times overflow from reservoir.
I took it to a mechanic, i was told the problem was a with one of my hose(the one that im holding on the pic)
To cut a long story short, they replaced the hose which i believe is the return hose. It is the one i'm holding on the picture. As a drove home i discovered that all the symptoms(rattling, occasional stiff steering wheel, overflow) where still there.

I've decided to try a few things on my own.

I raised front tire, disconnected high pressure and return hose from Reservoir. Closed return hose with my thumb, while my buddy turned car on. I told him turn steering left and right. while doing this i notice that the RATTLING noise disappear.

Can anyone tell me why the rattling noise disappeared with my thumb on the hose? is this the source of my problem?

[maxnix]

Any observations on the condition of the PS fluid? Presume you replaced with M1 ATF and BG PS conditioner? Refill was done per FSM?

[tomthumb12345]

Fluid looks good. Nice and red. I flused old stuff out and put new Fluid. I didn't use Mobile 1, but i did use reconmended ATF fluid.

[qship96]

Any observations on the condition of the PS fluid? Presume you replaced with M1 ATF and BG PS conditioner? Refill was done per FSM?

No need to add any "conditioner" aka snake oil, to the proper Dexron fluid as the factory specifies only Dexron fluid- adding aftermarket tonics in a bottle just "contaminates" the specified fluid.

[maxnix]

Any observations on the condition of the PS fluid? Presume you replaced with M1 ATF and BG PS conditioner? Refill was done per FSM?

No need to add any "conditioner" aka snake oil, to the proper Dexron fluid as the factory specifies only Dexron fluid- adding aftermarket tonics in a bottle just "contaminates" the specified fluid.

According to TexasOil, straight ATF will hot allow the seals to fully expand. I will defer to him as his knowledge of petro-chemical applications is encyclopedic.

Back to OP, these pumps generally do not fail, and it the steering rack is not leaking, then the PS fluid should not be foaming unless it is too low. Did you follow the fill procedure in the FSM.

[qship96]

Nonsense, straight dexron ATF is what Nissan specifies for the power steering system- I would think the engineers who actually designed the system would know whats best for it more so than any outsider. Somehow straight dexron ATF has kept my factory original rack and pump still operating and protecting "the seals" for 15 years and 271,000 + miles now.

[tomthumb12345]

Thanks for the replies
Update.
As of now, i do not have power steering as the steering is Very hard to turn. Here is what happened.

I did the wheel to wheel excersise for about 20 minutes. I added fluid as needed.
I decided to crawl under-hood, to check things out. I saw leakage coming from
rack and pinion boot kit area (passenger and driver side).
I am amazed that my mechanic didn't see this. The drip was very obvious.

Prior to this excersize i had power steering, but the rattling noise was getting louder and louder.

Anyway my question is, is the lack of power in power in steering an indicator that my rack is bad.
Or does leakage in power coming from rack boot area indicate that my rack is bad.
If the rack is bad and i remove it, can i fix the rack itself or do i have to buy a new one.

[dzznuts671]

damn i have a 99Qt and having the same issues!! with def check the rack again for leaks. will be following this closely! Was going to flush my system this weekend also. Hope its not the rack. Would you be able to replace the parts on the rack and pinion or would you have to replace the whole assembly?

[qship96]

Easiest and cost effective is to replace the rack with a rebuilt one- google "rack doctor" for an inexpensive source of rebuilt racks.

[maxnix]

I used a Maval rack on mine.

Still wondering why you have no power steering when the fluid is full?

[tomthumb12345]

MANNIX, the power steering is stiff as a nail. The reservoir is full, but it empty out when i turn the car on. I haven't driven the car
in last few days so i dont know if all the fluid leaked out. The only thing i can confirm is that there is leak coming from rack/pinion inner tie rod
boot kit area. I'll take it to 2 mechanic to confirm before i replace rack.

QSHIP thanks for ur suggestion. I know many around here frown upon non OEM parts with good reason imagine.
For me, i jus dont have $1000 to spend on rack/pinion. If non OEM Rack last me 2yrs maybe 3 then im fine with that. I love my Q, but i dont
plan on keeping past the next 2yrs.
QSHIP56 do you or anyone have any experience with these RACKDOCTOR or similar brand or site?

[qship96]

Rack doctor is a member of this forum, and a few have used his product- I am still on original rack, so have no direct experience with his product- however a quick check with the BBB shows them to have a good record and I have not noticed a history of complaints using his product with a simple google search.......for the little $$$$ they charge, I would be willing to throw the dice and give them my business.

[dzznuts671]

I just emptied my reservoir today and replenished with new fluid. i raised the car on jack stand like the fsm states and turned the wheel several times to get the air out the system. turned the car on and the fluid went down. there was very little hesitation. turned fairly easy. very slight squealing. fluid level seamed normal even with the car on. But when i shut off the car then thats when the fluid overflows back out the reservoir. its like its pushing out all/alot of the fluid. the rack doesnt seem to be leaking. is there anything else i should be looking for or trying. Going to have my mechanic look at it but would like to be informed before i go. thanks and sorry didnt mean to thread jack!

[QFourFive]

I am having this same issue. My rack is leaking, and I purchased a remanufactured one from JorgenAuto. Their customer service is great but I haven't gotten the part installed yet.

When the car is off the power steering fluid reservoir level is normal. When I start the car it empties and the car will not turn at rest and when it is rolling it still feels terrible. If i fill the fluid when the car is on to the normal level the car turn fairly normally (still a little jerky and rough). When I turn the car off the reservoir overflows and bubbles into the engine bay.

I will be taking my car to the shop tomorrow with new rack and pinion. I will update with what they find to be the issue. They are a Nissan/Infiniti specialist so I'm confident that they will fix this issue.

[QFourFive]

So far the rack is bad and the steering knuckle. They have not installed the parts but I will post if that fixes the "overflow" issue.

[dzznuts671]

yeah had to get my r&p rebuilt. new inner rods with boots,and two high pressure hoses. also replaced the bushings that hold the rack in place. So far all is quiet and no leaks!Good luck with yours!

[tomthumb12345]

A quick update on my problems and what i did.
Turns out i had a bad rack along with bad high pressure hose. In my opinion the high pressure was probably damaged due to using Lucas rack fix. If my memory serve me correctly there where no leaks from Pressure hose until after i used Lucas Rack doctor.
Anyway, I lucked out and found a 99q with 30 thousand miles. I bought the rack for about $150 bucks. i had a shop install it for $140.
As for the High pressure hose i removed it myself. I couldn't afford a new one so i took it to a fab shop. I read on other thread about a shop called (AAPAK) in phoenix AZ. They charged me $80 (one year warranty). So i put the re manufacture hose back in. So far no funny noise or leaks.
One side note, the Pressure hose was a pain in the aZZ, But if i was doing it all over i would certainly do a few things differently.
If anyone need help replacing High pressure hose, let me know i may be able to save you a few hours.

[maxnix]

Hope you used new rack bushings also!

[dzznuts671]

Hope you used new rack bushings also!

yup if you didnt replace them it would be a good idea to. Had to replace mine. If they are worn could make steering a little crazy. trust me i know!LOL!!

[tomthumb12345]

Thanks for looking out manix; i used the Bushing that came with the rack i purchased.
Prior to purchase i inspected the rack while it was on the car. It was clean as a whistle. Like i said it had
30 thousand miles (according to carfax).
I'll admit i should have bought new one.

[QFourFive]

I replaced the rack and pinion as well as the steering knuckle and all of my power steering issues were resolved.

[tomthumb12345]

"Da Dark Jedi", i tried PM you but it said you have not enabled pm on your profile.

[traderdon88]

I have 1996 Q45, I have had tough steering and recently, my steering pump has been making horrible noises. Being the lazyass that I am, I finally decided to get under the hood. The power steering fluid was foamy with a whitish hue. I grabbed a turkey baster, and drained all the fluid that I could. I thin put new Dextron ATF fluid in and, I cant believe it, the noise is gone and the steering is again as it should be. I know, I should not of let it go this far. I am surprised that the pump is still good after 30 days of driving with the awful noises. I love the 1st generation Q45. I had a 1991 Q45, and then sold it and started driving a MBZ S class. I always missed the Q, and although $$ is not an issue, it is great to own a car that not only looks greats, and drives great, but has few problems and is engineered as well as the Q!