Power steering fluid leak from rack

Post by **Greg-SiR** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 4:24 am

Hello all i am having an issue with his and it has gotten worse as stubborn leaks do!
I was doing an engine oil change over the weekend and pulled of the guard thats on there to have a look see

Hoping its just an O ring or similar behind the rubber boot.

I had the feed pipe on the resevoir go a few weeks ago which was an easy fix and i had a spare at hand.

It does get quite hot too and moves/bubbles alot but it has done that sine the day i bought it a year ago and has never bothered me.

It can go from Max to Min in 2 days and i only do small commutes thankfully,

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 8:53 am

With fluid use that high, you should definitely be able to see where it's leaking from. I can't work out from your post, are you saying you can see that it is leaking from the inner track rod end gaiter? (the thing you've photographed there) or did you just pull that gaitor back because you could?

The gaiter isn't there to hold the fluid in, it's there to stop dirt and crap from the road getting into the moving joint on the end of the rack, so if it is leaking fluid from that gaiter, then the seal on the end of the rack is gone. If that's the case, then it's not a simple job to replace I don't think - I doubt it could be done with the rack in the car? Rack stripdown and repair is described I'm the service manual though I think, so have a look in there and see?

No-one on here has attempted a steering rack overhaul that I'm aware of and I wouldn't bother trying a strip and repair of the rack myself - if the leak is definitely from the rack, then I'd just change it complete with a good used one. They're not something that fails and (over here at least) there is no shortage of breakers available at the moment, so ready supply and cheap.

Post by **Greg-SiR** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 4:22 am

Hey mate thanks for the opinion,i didn't pull back the gaiter at all,i might get it up on the ramps again and pull it back to see a bit more of it.

Sounds true though what you've pointed out,i have had a look at the workshops manual since to try see what's at task and yeah it would be probably too much and too expensive to try overhaul not that i would have the knowledge either

.

I will try around here with the scrappies,any idea would they be universal across the 4th gen series and mine with 2ws too?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Honda-Prelud ... 3397a09458

Thanks

Greg

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 7:42 am

I have had the rack out of a 2ws 4th gen and have a 4ws rack as a spare, but can't remember what the differences were for sure. I think they are the same, with the only difference being that a 4ws rack has a steering angle sensor, while the 2ws doesn't. Not sure if the innards are different though.
I'm pretty sure you could use a 4ws rack on a 2ws car (would just leave the steering angle sensor disconnected). Not sure if you can convert a 2ws rack to 4ws though.

Also, I meant to say... The favourite place for leaks on the power steering system is from the connection between the rubber hoses and the metal pipe for the oil cooler. The oil cooler corrodes and leaks. Have a look low down at the front of the car to the right hand side of the radiator and you'll see the connections I'm talking about.

Post by **Greg-SiR** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 1:07 pm

Got it back on the ramp earlier and pulled away the gaitor and i was covered from wrist to elbow in ps fluid!

Must have been gathering in there for some time too.
Couldn't see much with it out of the way and everywhere else looks clear and good.
Suppose it would be a waste of coin trying a stop leak or 2...?
I get you on the compatibility of the 2ws and 4ws,i've sent a message to a seller with the numbers on mine requesting similar.
Seems to leak worse of all after parking up in the garage after driving and not much when in use.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:19 pm

Ah that's not good.
There should be no fluid in there. The breather pipe is there to allow air pressure to equalise from one side to the other, rather than for fluid!

Post by **Greg-SiR** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 1:03 pm

It is,instead it was used to empty the fluid ,pipe wasn't even on i just massaged the nipple

Gaiter is good though,passenger side is shot and have one on order for there.
I will put in a Stop leak for the sake of it,$12 or so,just need a week or 2 to get more at grasp with getting it replaced,i can hear my other half already ''another $200 on that car!''
I have a Hondarec guy local so will take a spin to him soon.
It ain't that bad if it's still driveable

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 2:26 pm

I'm not sure stop leak in the power steering system sounds like a good idea...

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Thu Apr 30, 2015 3:03 pm

PAS delete - for the win ..and the forearms!

Post by **Greg-SiR** » Sat May 02, 2015 11:28 am

Have considered that bb1 boy but the car is shared weekly and i don't think herself would be happy about all that strain on the arms,she's got the city run too whilst i'm straight out the motorway

@Iain nothing to loose really by putting it in there,picked up a Lucas Usa branded bottle,"or your money back is the guarantee" it states,aids the whole system too in various ways but not overly optimistic,process of elimination and start with the simplest