Steering question, leaking steering gear

[mks8882]

I've had my 2003 G35 for almost 2 years now. It's always had pretty stiff steering, I assume that's how it was designed. I was changing my oil the other day and I noticed that the steering gear was leaking fluid around the large bolt on the back side of it. I put a crescent wrench on it and it was really loose, which made me wonder if this is a bolt or some kind of adjustment? I turned it about ½ a round and it tightened up. Now I don’t know if this is just one of those things where it’s always been this way and you don’t notice it until something like this gives you a reason to notice things, but now it seems like my steering is really tight. When I go into a curve I have to manually straighten the wheel when coming out of the curve. It’s like whatever position I turn the wheel to is where it stays and it doesn’t straighten up like most vehicles (fast or slow). Is this bolt some kind of backlash adjustment for the gearing or is it just a drain bolt? Did I do the wrong thing by tightening it? If so, how do I make it stop leaking if I loosen it back up? I checked the PS fluid reservoir and it is above the min line. Thanks in advance!

[SteveTheTech]

Well that is not significant enough of a leak from the pics that you have posted to warrant replacement, some dampness is not uncommon and since it is not coming out of the bellows boots you do not have a leaking seal. That is indeed an a tension adjustment for the rack to pinion freeplay. By turning it you have negatively effected your steering response. Did you notice the lack of steering wheel return after this repair? If so it will need to be re adjusted, in the correct way. If not than I would suspect you have an alignment issue, most likely caster.

I will look into it to see if there is a repositioning adjustment, but I would guess that it will have to be backed out and tension will have to be applied in the prescribed manner.

[mks8882]

Thanks for the reply! The pictures were taking after I cleaned up the bolt and adjusted it, so all the fluid that leaked is gone. What made me notice the leak was when I removed the belly pan I noticed a puddle of fluid about 3" in diameter in it. If I loosen the bolt back up I have a feeling it will start leaking again, what can I do to fix that? Is there an o-ring or something in there?

[SteveTheTech]

Unfortunately there is not a safe repair for this. The rack is usually replaced as a whole unit. I would recommend getting a new one if there is a noticeable leak. Remember that the rack is your direct route to the road and a key safety component.

Do you still have warranty?

[mks8882]

Na, no warranty. I loosened up the bolt and it definitely drives better. The wheel returns itself to center now like it should. But I have a feeling it's going to keep leaking. I will keep an eye on it and see how it does.