Steering Rack Oil Seals on Maxima

[Richard D]

1994 Maxima GXE - I am the second owner.
The steering rack was leaking fluid and I ordered parts to rebuild it.
I ordered the "Seal Kit-Rack" from Nissan, as well as the "Seal Set-Piston" and also the "Seal Kit-Pinion" and shims etc. and new boots so as to follow the instructions in the factory manual to rebuild the steering rack and pinion.
The staked part of the gear housing was already drilled out so I knew the rack was not original on this 150,000 mile car.
However the manual is very clear that after removing the outer and inner tie rods and boots, and then the cover assembly (gigantic nut) I should be able to "draw out the rack assembly". But it won't come out. One of the parts in there won't slide out and stops the rack.

I picked up an A1Cardone rebuilt rack from NAPA and it's clear that the boots are not as heavy duty as the Nissan boots. I imagine that the other parts, seals, etc. are also not quite as good as the OEM parts that I ordered. It seems a shame not to rebuild the rack with a few dollars worth of first class parts, and instead pay a lot of money ($179 plus $100 core) to get second class parts.

Has anyone else tried to rebuild their own steering rack and had this problem? Any solution?
I don't want to trash it to disassemble it and then find that it's worthless as a core exchange.

Thanks for your experience with this procedure.

Richard in South Carolina

[Q451990]

I really have no experience with rebuilding a rack. The only thought I have is that you could get a used rack at the Pull-a-part over on Monticello Rd. www.pull-a-part.com

They have a ton of 3rd Generation Maximas. Cost is about $50, so you could either get one to learn on or use as a core. Might even find one that looks pretty good... Depends on how you feel about crawling around under cars in a junk yard.

Heath

[Q45tech]

My as built 1990 Q45 rack still functions as brand new after 327,000 miles and 20 years of ownership, but that shows the value of annual PS fluid changes and an ocassional chemical flush to remove varnish.

Obviously inner, outer and boots have been replaced multiple times along with rubber rack mounts.

The PS volume is so small [1.25 quarts] and the cooler so insufficent, that PS is quickly destroyed by over heats [color desaturates] from exceeding 200F in summer....depending on how much you work rack/pump.

Consider that the system only hold 12% of the amount of ATF held in AT.

Obviously going straight on interstate is not very stressful as long as alignment is perfect.

[Richard D]

Q45tech,

Thanks for your insights on power steering. I had never really thought about how small the fluid volume is for the application.
Re.: Chemical flush for varnish: What product do you use for this? Will I see a bottle labeled Power Steering Flush on the shelf at the store, or is it something you improvise?
Thanks,
Richard

[comatoseculture]

Indeed there is power steering flush available at the auto parts store.