Steel line on steering rack leaking BAD!

[805LegendDSM]

Guys, I need help, advice of any kind!

Recently since my car was sitting after I discovered what was causing my limp mode. The car was leaking slowly small puddles of power steering fluid, near the drivers side wheel coming from the steering rack.

I ignored it thinking maybe it's a small leak I'll fix it later, the next day....the cars power steering was making noises since it was low on power steering fluid. I added more, then more, 2 days later, there's no power steering it was slowly leaking.

I just now, got back from checking and tracking the leak. It's coming from one end of the steel fitting looks like a return or feed line to one end of the rack to the other. The line is wobbly and the leak is massive, it's not broken or pinced or cracked. I just can't seem to reach it but im sure it's not loose, the line seems to have a lot of play. Only way to get to the line is to remove the whole steering rack?

I put some more fluid it started leaking right away, worse than before, I turned the wheel then it sprayed it all out , foamy messy! It's definitely coming from the line.

Now, question ...can it be fixed by just replacing line? Or can I just reinstall it right maybe it might be loose or just not fitted right? Or is it busted and I don't have a inch of luck?

I was honestly gonna remove the dam rack and drop a shitload of JB weld on there let it sit there for 24hrs ...

I don't know man I'm stressing the f*** out! I dodged a bullet by fixing the limp mode tranny problem(bad ground) I can't even drive the car now, just parking it has very hard steering and very unsafe to drive! I have to get to work, it's my daily, my wife uses it to get to work! I started to freak beause I can't find the steel line for sale anywhere! And junkyards here don't hae GSTs I dont even know if the GS RS GSXs steering rack can even fit my GST! Either way I still need to find one first! And I'm broke idont get paid till next wed!

I'm losing my mind
I'm so sorry guys

 

[rtrocket59]

Is it the hard line on the rack? Or is it the flexible pressure/ return line?

 

[hotrodssnova]

The racks are the same across platforms. Rs, gs, gsx, tsi. If the car is a northern car, I have seen the lines rust. You are correct on being a pain to reach, and if it's rusted, you'll twist the line off when you go to tighten it. To drop the rack, you will need to pull the bolt from the steering wheel shaft to rack and tie rod nuts and the 4 bolts that hold the rack on. Good luck.

 

[boostneverlies]

You can replace it. Remove the intake manifold and compressor to make it easier

 

[99gst_racer]

You can replace it. Remove the intake manifold and compressor to make it easier

Those parts aren't even close to being in the way. The rack removes down and out the side, so the things mounted above it are unimportant.

 

[99gst_racer]

805LegendDSM - You're going to have to pull the rack no matter what. And yes, it sucks. It's not difficult, but it is a time consuming, crap job.

That hardline that travels along side the rack is not available for purchase by itself. And it is a relatively common leak point. I battled this years ago. In one week, I swapped two different racks in and out 4 different times. It was hell and the leak continued until the last time. I finally fixed it by TIG welding every connection where the tube meets the fitting and where the fitting meets the rack. The only downside to this is the rack can no longer be disassembled to be rebuilt. Not a big deal IMO.

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[805LegendDSM]

Thank guys...

I changed a steering rack on a 95' accord by myself I remember it being a total bi***. I had to remove the steering wheel shaft ...I did it within three hours , in a hurry, I messed up because the cars alignment was way off since I used the old tie rods (if that's what their called) it was hard to get it dialed in.

Thank you so much 99gst_racer you pretty much prevented leakage completely with the weld, I might have to just try my best to Micky mouse this problem for now. Removing it this Saturday first thing in the morning.

How do I flush the fluid? I would say I accidentally put engine oil in mine but id be lying...

 

[rtrocket59]

To flush you fill up the reservoir, and leave cap open. Leave the return hose OFF and drain into a bucket. Turn the wheel to the right, check/fill fluid. Turn to the left, check/fill fluid. Repeat that a few times. Once you got clean fluid coming out, turn the engine off. Reconnect the return line, top off reservoir. Turn engine back on, turn wheels to verify its working correctly. Check reservoir.

 

[805LegendDSM]

How do I take off those two feeding lines that are on top behind the engine beat the steering shaft? Also to drop the rack do I need to remove anything else like the away bar?

 

[805LegendDSM]

Bump: still haven't been able to remove the Rack I always just quit is there any easier way to remove the two feeding lines on top of the rack that you can barely see from up top and below the manifold I can't seem to reach them with any tool that's the only thing from keeping me from removing the dam thing I will not take it to a mechanic and I will not buy another rack until I get a way to remove it...help me out guys share experiences