Speed99 Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 All, Checking in with our mechanics as I know nothing about this. During an oil change, the mechanic told wife that the truck has grease and fluid leak around the rack and pinion. Haven't experienced any issues or noises with the steering. Is this a full replacement of the rack or can something else be done? Thats all the info I have right now...hope it is enough to get a dialog started. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBLXX Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 So you're saying the mechanic told your wife her rack was greasy and needs full replacement? Maybe it was a compliment of some sort? :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02 SilverBird Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 See any oil on the floor??? Get a second opinion, try to crawl under truck to see if you can see any leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 I have a B3000 which is the same as a Ford Ranger. R&P replaced once. Replacement has a PS fluid leak, but it's at the TOP where the steering column ties in. I bought some Lucas Oil Power Steering Stop Leak and topped off the reservoir with that. Add more as needed. Still haven't used up the bottle. If it works, you're good. You'll tend to lose more if the leak faces downward or pumps out whenever you steer. For a minor leak, you can let it slide until it gets worse with nothing to fear. Total loss doesn't mean you can't steer...it just gets a lot harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 See any oil on the floor??? Get a second opinion, try to crawl under truck to see if you can see any leak. ding ding winner winner Just got my car out of the shop for warranty work, they made up a shopping list of "possible" stuff wrong or "needed" to be done.. Same company that didn't think I could properly use a tire gauge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardCranium Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Curious. Year and mileage? We have an 05 XLT 4x4 with 150k plus. Maybe I should go look at ours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furbird Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Definitely need to know the year. Most of the newer vehicles have power steering racks that are so difficult to work on that you have to remove it from the vehicle to repair it. So you're paying to remove and replace a unit regardless. The real question is, do you want to fix the leaks on your X mileage used one and pay the associated labor for fixing those leaks, or buy a new one? The redneck side of me says "maintain your fluid levels" and don't worry about it. If it leaks but you keep the fluid levels up, no problem. If it blows out completely, or if the fluid gets low and tears up hard parts, then consider replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed99 Posted September 10, 2015 Author Share Posted September 10, 2015 2011. About 75k miles. I think it will keep an eye on it for now and maintain levels. Would be about $800 to replace. Haven't noticed any stains on driveway Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SR71BLACKBIRDXX Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 No stains? Can't be leaking that bad.Id say fuck it. Watch fluid. If you start seeing wet spots, consider replacement. $800 doesn't seem crazy. I'd say AT LEAST $400 if you did it yourself. Needs an alignment afterwards, PS fluid, and a shitload of your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Only because of how much of a PITA it was to change out is why I'm not replacing my R&P unit again for the leak it now has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Mike you can add in stop leak or some brake fluid to swell seals and drive on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speed99 Posted September 13, 2015 Author Share Posted September 13, 2015 Yea. Double checked the driveway and no stains. Correction. They want $800 just for the part. Screw it. Just going to keep an eye on it. Thanks again for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero Knievel Posted September 13, 2015 Share Posted September 13, 2015 I'm pretty sure the R&P is hardly $300 from the parts store...with lifetime warranty. Of course, I replaced mine a long time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superhawk996 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Wet seals mean nothing, especially if they're grimy, a real leak cleans the leak area. When it starts to drip then it's a leak, try stop-leak additive then. When it leaks enough that it bothers you more than emptying your wallet does, then it's time to replace it. I've never seen one 'blow out', they just progressively leak more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLXX Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 (edited) He's just trying to Upsale.... (rip you off, Note place of business and don't go back) You would know it if it had gone bad. Edited September 18, 2015 by EVLXX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.