Replacing leaky P/S rack. Checking for leaks?

[karbon]

As the title suggests, my P/S rack is leaking as confirmed by a mechanic. I have yet to crawl underneath since it got back, as some guys installing windows in the house have had their big ass van in the driveway and set up shop right there.
Apparently, a rebuild kit costs about $120, which puts it way more expensive than junkyard P/S racks, so my only real option is to get one out of a junkyard, but how do I tell whether the unit I'm buying doesn't have any leaks once I get it home? Is there some place that I can go to get it pressure tested?

Also the searches on car-part also turn up searches for 95 - 99 Sebrings and Avengers. I'm assuming that these are compatible, but can anyone confirm? Are there any differences in a rack from a FWD or an AWD?

 

[DSM90AWD]

For a used rack try Gary at Mitsubishigraveyard.com . He's also a vendor here on Tuners and should guarantee the parts he sells.

I replaced my rack a few years back with a Remanufactured A1-Cardone unit (with lifetime warranty) for ~$175 + refundable core deposit from a local Parts+. Believe me when I say that this is not a fun job, so for me paying more for a guaranteed to work unit was well worth it. As with any suspension work, you will need an alignment, and would also recommend new tie rod ends.

Leaks can originate at the pump ($.05 o-ring fix) the connector btw the metal and rubber lines, the connectors at the top of the rack, or the rack seals itself. Unfortunately gravity makes any of the above seem like the rack itself is leaking, but if you get some UV Dye and a blacklight (~$20 kits at auto stores), will be easy to determine where the leak(s) originate

 

[karbon]

That's a lot of good info, thanks. I was planning on getting new tie-rods and a 4-wheel alignment. I want to have to never touch this again, and from the sounds of the labor involved in the replacement, that's pretty much the right attitude.

 

[DSM90AWD]

Steps involved include removing exhaust, X-fer case/driveshaft, crossmembers, seperating the tie rod ends and even then it's a friggin PITA to re/re the rack without getting a face full of P/S fluid (that shit is hard to get out of your hair )

 

[glenneclipsegsx]

Where can I get decent prices on powersteering components (pumps, rack, etc)

 

[karbon]

Got a nice cool day to open things up and check them out. My P/S rack system is definately leaking from somewhere in between the driver's side rack and rack housing, and I assume there's a seal between these two that is shot and causing the leaking. This means that I am in for a new rack, correct? It's much cheaper to get a used P/S rack from Gary than it is to buy a rebuild kit. (And he guarantees the rack for 30 days of my money back )
Here is a picture. It's clear as day where the leak is coming from:

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[FusionTalon]

im looking at an 98 gsx that has this problem, post some more pics up karbon, since im probly going to go through the same deal of probs you did. ty, post any valuable info too!!

 

[karbon]

I just got a "used" rack from Gary for $85 shipped. Boots are dry and it looks great, he included the inner and outer tie rods from the car it was on. I'm dreading the labor involved, but it'll be a fun learning experience. Honestly that one picture tells all there is to the tale. The boot on the driver's side was full of fluid, and it was leaking out of the rack body. The seal in there is toast. I suggest you take a look underneath your boots, but as someone mentioned before, in a lot of cases it can be dripping down from hoses or fittings, ending up looking like it's coming from the rack itsself.

When I do the swap, I'll try and take tons of pictures and list the steps I took in getting the thing out.

 

[allgripnoslip]

Im having this problem as well. Mines leaking from the same exact place and my 97 only has 60k miles on her when I noticed that it was leaking, she has 68k now. I saw a couple used racks on some parts locators online going for 35-200 but like it was said earlier, it doesnt have the guarantee of working unlike Gary can offer. Let us know how it goes once you get it on and how much of a PITA it was. From the sounds of it I might wait until spring/summer to do this one, its too effin cold outside

 

[Spidey]

Just wanted to add to this thread that my rack started leaking and I picked up a used rack for $50, BUT I happened to check out junkyarddog.com beforehand and submitted a parts request and got about 10 offers ranging from $65 to $150 shipped and with up to 1 year warrantees, so check that site out

 

[Spidey]

Have any of you swapped your racks yet? I haven't, awaiting a write-up from one of you guys