Steering rack leak.

[blokespeed]

My steering rack leaks PS fluid from the passenger side at the end of the rack.Does anyone know if the seals can be relaced or is it better to swap out for a re-con unit?

[180fan]

you can replace the seals. Not too bad to replace either. Pretty cheap but depends if the actual rack has wear on the teeth as well in which case you'd be better off with a new rack.

[blokespeed]

Does the nissan dealer have seals? or do you know another source?

[blokespeed]

Ah ha! I found a seal kit at Midway, I'll give it a try thanks for your help.

[blokespeed]

have you ever changed seals on a rack? , do you have to remove it from the car?

[180fan]

you bet i changed seals before. pulling the rack, yes. There's a bushing or was it a seal near the center of the actual metal rack (the part with teeth on it) that requires you pull the rack part out.

[blokespeed]

I'm struggling to get the lower joint off the pinion shaft, the whole steering column doesn't have to come out does it?

[180fan]

yes. think about the pinion and why it'd limit your pulling the rack out.

[blokespeed]

I got it out! PITA!

[180fan]

ha ha ha there are worse things than pulling the rack. seriously.

[skylinekin]

This goes along with the same topic, I filled my powersteering up with "power steering" fluid but the FSM says to use ATF, will powersteering fluid do and damage? Should I drain the fluid out and put ATF fluid in? Thanks for the help, I just dont want to ruin anything.

[navysnail]

atf is the best thing to use but i have had PS fluid/ATF for going on 2 1/2 years no problems. i am not saying there won't be any but you should be ok.

[skylinekin]

ok thanks, now im alittle less worried about it.

[blokespeed]

ha ha ha there are worse things than pulling the rack. seriously.

Certainley wasn't fun! I got the actual rack out of the housing today and it has some rub marks and some almost like corrosion marks. So I don't know if new seals will solve my leak problem.

[180fan]

yikes. how bad are we talkin?

[blokespeed]

It's pitted! I think I may have to rig it without the having the power ability and just go mechanical. I just need a way to eliminate the pump but keep the cooling fan driven.