So I'm having to replace the rack and pinion due to the seals on my current one going bad. It's leaking a fluid (thinking its power steering fluid?) underneath the car from the "middleish" boot on the rack and pinion.

I was just wondering before I spend $200 on an OEM r&p.. Are there any aftermarket r&p's or any other alternative I could go about fixing this issue?

Another reason I think it's power steering fluid is because whenever I start the car, something around the belt area is extremely loud. (belts are not worn) and when I turn the wheel, the noise gets louder. I filled the fluid tank up and in 3hrs it's back down and making the noise all over again.

I need some help guys.

 

Not sure if these ever sold or not -
https://my350z.com/forum/suspension/...nd-pinion.html
https://my350z.com/forum/drivetrain/...-tie-rods.html
Probably worth sending a PM to those members to find out?

 

thanks, i PMed one of the guys.

 

gotta get mine replaced too!! i'm not seeing much info about rack and pinions on this forum..

 

im finding them used online for around ~$200. might just pick one up and hope for the best.

 

find a junk yard and see if they have it

 

yeah i will tomorrow

 

check this out
http://www.courtesyparts.com/49011k-...tml?cPath=714&
http://www.courtesyparts.com/49271-r...tml?cPath=714&

 

oh wow. definitely going to keep that as an option.

 

@JDMStanced, are you replacing yours for the same reason as me?

 

i have the leak under the fine boot.
try out Rack Doctor, and tell us your experience

 

Okay so i didn't think this stuff would work.. but i went to autozone and bought some Lucas Power Steering Fluid "Stop Leak". and it worked! no more grinding noises when trying to turn the wheel. no more fluid leaking from the boot (put cardboard down overnight and not a single drop was there the next morning)

its $10 from autozone and it took 2 bottles.

 

when i was searching, i came across that too.
mine doesn't really drip on the floor. Some drops just hang under the boot.
a week or so later, go under the car and check again to be sure.
Do lots of locking the steering to left and right.

 

Mine leaks fairly bad. I have tried the Lucas stuff it does work for a bit and then it starts to leak again. Or at least that was my experience.

 

lucas description says if it leaks, they'll give money back?

 

correct.. and just to update again. the car has ran great all day, no noises, no hard steering.. until i get off work and i can hear it starting to come back.. put some more lucas in it and have the cardboard back under the car until the morning. this is the 2nd bottle of lucas and im about to run out.

 

hmm.. you may have to replace the unit.. which means mostly I have to too

 

Mine is leaking by the adjuster nut... I think I may have to bring it in and get it looked at. It is a 2003 with around 13500 miles or so....

 

yep. believe it or not the unit as expensive as you'd think. my mechanic quoted me $120 + $40 for the alignment for labor. and if i can find a used/refurbished one for around 180 then $340 isnt bad..

 

like i mentioned in my previous post, rack doctor has em for like $190. lifetime warranty.