quick part question

[mike561]

The rack and pinion is located next to the drive axle right? is it the thing that has the small rubber boot on it? i know the drive axle has the larger boot on it. it seems to look like the little boot on the rack and pinion is leaking a thick black grease, i had the drive axle replaced because that was doing the same thing, is it possible for this to happen to the rack and pinion boot too? (if that is the part that im trying to describe)

[BNaylor]

The rack and pinion is located behind the drive axles. It is part of the steering linkage and has the inner and outer tie rods. There are rubber boots located on it. If the rack leaks it should be power steering fluid. Check the power fluid reservoir level.

Also, the CV joints which are part of the drive axle have rubber accordian boots. If you have a rupture in that then it could leak out dark looking grease.

[mike561]

yeah i have checked the power steering fluid and its filled to the max

[Langning]

The CV joint has 2 rubber accordian boots (1 is next to tranny and 1 is next to wheel hub). The inner tie rod has a smaller rubber boot and has the same metal clamp so I do think it is filled with grease inside. The power steering fluid is liquid and amber in color (or darker) but it is unlikely "black dark grease"-like.

[BNaylor]

CV joint grease is molybdenum disulfide based and it is definitely dark in color.

Rzeppa, Cross-Groove or Tripod/Free-Motion inner and outer CV joints typically are packed with 80 - 100 grams of grease.

If it turns out to be a leaking CV joint seal then you will need to get it resolved, otherwise you're looking at possible CV joint damage.

[mike561]

yeah so it sounds like thats what it is, i know the power steering fluid is fine, i had the power steering system replaced a few months back and it doesnt leak anymore, would that C/V seal be causing the front end to make a whining sound when i turn the wheel all the way left or right or is that normal? it doesnt whine as im turning it, just when i have the wheel turned to the pont where it doesnt turn anymore

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mike561

yeah so it sounds like thats what it is, i know the power steering fluid is fine, i had the power steering system replaced a few months back and it doesnt leak anymore, would that C/V seal be causing the front end to make a whining sound when i turn the wheel all the way left or right or is that normal? it doesnt whine as im turning it, just when i have the wheel turned to the pont where it doesnt turn anymore

The whining sound or power steering pump noise at steering maximum left or right is normal. As long as it does not whine in normal conditions you are good to go. I've never heard of a leaking CV joint seal or bad CV joint cause a whine.

[mike561]

yeah so then it must be the CV joint leaking the black grease then, ill be sure to have that checked out, thanks a bunch! ive notced all the problems like this have all been on the front passenger wheel, previous owner must have messed it up/hit something real bad, theres even a wheel hub rod broken off where the lug nut would be, so now theres four on that wheel

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by mike561

yeah so then it must be the CV joint leaking the black grease then, ill be sure to have that checked out, thanks a bunch! ive notced all the problems like this have all been on the front passenger wheel, previous owner must have messed it up/hit something real bad, theres even a wheel hub rod broken off where the lug nut would be, so now theres four on that wheel

4 lug nut studs? Normally the stud will break due of due to someone BFFIing it. I doubt it was accident damage. Sounds like hub replacement time. Or you can could just get a replacement stud. The broken one can be removed for replacement but it still requires taking the hub/bearing assemby off to do the job right.

BTW - BFFI means Brute Force and "F"'ing Ignorance.

[mike561]

yea i remember the mechanic saying thats what would have to be done, while were talking about wheels too, i noticed fairly recnetly too that alot of the newer cars that have rims or alloys have those lug nut lock things, would those be worth getting for our type of stock rims? i was thinking of looking into that too.