Leaky Rack N Pinion

danielsl1999gsx · Jun 24, 2012

Hey tuners,
Well, im finally on summer break and i come home to my lovely GSX after not driving to for 2 weeks. Starts up, no problem, so i take it for a spin to get the legs stretched out and when i roll up to my driveway i see a puddle of oil :banghead:

This is never a good sign. Pop the hood open and yupe... my rack n pinion is leaking. I really dont have time to rebuild it (summer school) so i was wondering where would be a good place to buy a refurbish one? I am looking at RockAuto right now but they have two kinds, one made by A-1 CARDONE Part # 262106 and the other ATSCO Part # 8277. There is a 100 dollar difference between them, so i am kinda leaning towards the cheaper one. But is there any reason i should buy the more expensive one? Lastly, this is a stupid question, I have a spare rack n pinion from a 96 GS would this fit my GSX?

supraguy17 · Jun 24, 2012

Same thing has recently happened to me, before I did the whole new rack and pinion deal because that would be a pricey job, I got Lucas Oil leak stop from my local auto store and it has seemed to of worked pretty well for now.

pjhale16 · Jun 24, 2012

I do think the rack and pinions are the same. I'm thinking that the avenger and sebring had the same rack and pinion as well. I'm not 100% though so you would have to do a better check but it would open up your chances of finding a used one. I also think you can get a refurbished rack and pinion off ebay for around 125. Might take a look in the classifieds here too.

danielsl1999gsx · Oct 30, 2012

Ok, bringing this back from the dead because i am finally about to embark on this job. I been having my eye on this rack on ebay with a lifetime warranty, however the seller claims it only work with 2WD models even though it claims to fit my GSX when i look it up. What do you guys think, should i go ahead and buy it? I know that RS, GS, and GST all share the same rack so there shouldn't be a problem theoretically ; here is the link.
95 99 Talon Eclipse Power Steering Rack and Pinion | eBay

DSM1G90 · Oct 30, 2012

Or, head to a yard and pull one that doesn't show any leaks .. save some dough there ...

SmalltownDSMer · Oct 30, 2012

I just went outside and looked at the rack I removed from my 97 gsx and it looks pretty much identical other then the outer rods looking really long. Mine don't look that long.

Also the part that goes up into the steering column looks quite longer then my rack.

As I am comparing my photo to the link you posted I would say no, don't buy it. Mounting points look different, as well as the routing of the lines. Could be the beer speaking though.

Jayson

danielsl1999gsx · Oct 30, 2012

Im am 99.98% sure the picture given is not of the actual product, but i could be wrong. I have a rack from the 96 GS that a parted out some time ago, ill check if that is showing any signs of leaks.

AK Thunder · Oct 30, 2012

Take that rack from your GS and "miata" mod it, who needs power steering anyway

bigtimmyd · Oct 31, 2012

I too have a leaky rack... I'm thinking about doing a manual conversion. I kind of like having PS, but I feel eventually I'll need to convert.

Anyone know what the most cost effective route would be?

It all started with a simple head gasket replacement (2nd time in 3000 miles), then we realized we had to deck the block :cry:

So we have the engine out. I'm planning on a full rebuild in the spring, I wonder if the lucas stuff could hold me through the winter?

I'm going to have to look up the "miata" mod

danielsl1999gsx · Oct 31, 2012

LoL, im too lazy not to have PS in my car. Anyone else got any input on this rack?

bigtimmyd · Oct 31, 2012

My mechanic said I'm a "strong" guy. LOL

. I say I like power steering too!

danielsl1999gsx · Oct 31, 2012

What do you all think about this one?
2000 1996 Chrysler Sebring Rack and Pinion Assembly | eBay

It about 30 bucks more but this one actually says it fits a GSX and show a picture of the product. However, they both have similar application that they fit. :confused:

honda_burner · Oct 31, 2012

I don't trust the ebay part finder for anything. I always ask the seller or make sure I can atleast tell visually. If your in a pinch and its wrong though you can always make a claim stating it wasn't as advertised

thomcasey · Oct 31, 2012

bigtimmyd said:
My mechanic said I'm a "strong" guy. . I say I like power steering too!

1g rack replacement SUCKS OUT LOUD!!!! Much easier with the motor and tranny out though. They make manual racks for the 1g you can order. That is the best way. This way you can park much easier.

danielsl1999gsx · Oct 31, 2012

Yeah, i should ask this guy if it will fit. Looks like im going to have to go with the more expensive one.

99EclipseOZRally · Oct 31, 2012

danielsl1999gsx said:
Hey tuners,
Well, im finally on summer break and i come home to my lovely GSX after not driving to for 2 weeks. Starts up, no problem, so i take it for a spin to get the legs stretched out and when i roll up to my driveway i see a puddle of oil This is never a good sign. Pop the hood open and yupe... my rack n pinion is leaking. I really dont have time to rebuild it (summer school) so i was wondering where would be a good place to buy a refurbish one? I am looking at RockAuto right now but they have two kinds, one made by A-1 CARDONE Part # 262106 and the other ATSCO Part # 8277. There is a 100 dollar difference between them, so i am kinda leaning towards the cheaper one. But is there any reason i should buy the more expensive one? Lastly, this is a stupid question, I have a spare rack n pinion from a 96 GS would this fit my GSX?

Hey dan,

I hand a similar problem. Where is it leaking? The rebuild does not take that long you can do it in about 8 hours (with the right tools). Rockauto has a nice rebuild kit.

Note: Check your power steering pump uneven pressure can cause there rack to leak on the outer seal. I know because this happened to me.

danielsl1999gsx · Oct 31, 2012

I really have not pin pointed where the leak is coming from yet, but the boots on both sides are torn up, along with a bit of play from my tie rods and it looses all PS fluid within a week. This has got to be a pretty big leak in order to do that.

miguelmcv · Oct 31, 2012

I know the price is a big difference, But dealing with Ebay from my experience, I would choose to pay alittle more and avoid all the shipping hassle if it doesn't fit and that's not saying about the time from shipping till you get it back again.
Go loca, any Oreilly or autozone will carry it with lifetime warranty, (I doubt you will get that on Ebay).

Cardone Remanufactured 26-2106 - Rack And Pinion Assembly | O'Reilly Auto Parts

SpiderGST · Oct 31, 2012

Yeah best way would either buy the rebuild kit and do it yourself or buy a reman rack locally. Those kinda parts that usually come with a lifetime warranty I like sticking with someone local so if it starts leaking agian same day replacement.

SmalltownDSMer · Oct 31, 2012

I honestly wouldn't recommend eBay for this important component. They really aren't that bad, it's labor that kills you if you have someone do it.

I just did mine and had it done in under a day. Manual rack though, removed PS as well that day.

Jayson

Paul@RTM · Oct 31, 2012

For informational purposes: 1g and 2g racks aren't interchangeable, the mounts are different. 2g FWD and 2g AWD racks are the same. Not sure about 2g NT/Avenger/Sebring.

DSM1G90 · Nov 1, 2012

Could drop the rack and rebuild it to put in new seals ....

Wanna throw in a tidbit here to chew on in case this might be the issue .. and due to age of our vehicles:

I thought I had a leaky rack as well, but found out that the pressure hose was my cuplrit. PS hoses have that insulation going down the majority of the length of the hose and under that insulation, I had a pinhole leak in the hose where the fluid ran down the hose and soaked up the rack making me think I had a leaky rack.

Replace that pressure hose and goodbye leak. The rubber on that hose had harden up to where it was developing pinhole leaks. $40 bucks for a new PS pressure hose and all was done.

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