rack and pinion?

[mjtr21]

okay for the past couple of months i have noticed that im losing power steering fluid. i replaced the pump in march. i also replaced both pressure and return lines around that time too. so does this leave me with the stupid rack and pinion leaking? it is leaking on the passenger side. what are the symptoms of a bad rack and pinion? thanks a bunch.

[Airjer_]

One that is leaking is usually a pretty good indicator.

[xeroinfinity]

Just because its leaking doesnt always mean the rack is bad, it just has a blown seal on that side most likly. You can replace them though its not real fun or easy.

I would also double check that the lines are not leaking and running down in that area it can happen if they arent tight enough.

[mjtr21]

well i can also hear a humming or groaning noise down by the rack. if i listen through the drivers front wheel well it sounds like that rack is making that noise. and i was wondering if a bad rack would be causeing my wierd alignment problem. i posted on here a while ago about the car pulling when i put on the brakes. i have all new calipers, hoses, pads, and rotors at all four wheel. so i dont think my problem is witht the brakes. when i go to slow down, i put on the brakes, the steering wheel twitches to the LEFT and the car pulls to the RIGHT. so could a bad rack cause that too?

[Airjer_]

Are you sure the front end is tight including the lower control arm bushings?

[xeroinfinity]

I dont think a bad rack would cause it to pull, its possible you do have some suspension problems though.

Also GM recommends you replace both hoses when you replace the PS pump or R & P, if not it usualy voids the PS pump and rack warranty.
The noise you are hearing at the rack could be air trapped in the system, but if the racks out it wont steer very well at all.

[mjtr21]

okay i already told you in the first post the i replaced BOTH hoses. i replaced the pressure and the whole return hose. and im shit outta luck on warranty because i got about 120,000 miles on the car. so i dont have to worry about that. idk im just going to bring it to a shop and have them find the leak and see what needs to be done to fix it. i will have them look at the suspension too and find my mysterious problem that nobody can fix with the alignment.

[xeroinfinity]

Yes I know you replaced the hoses already, what I meant was if you replace the pump or rack the warranty they come with from the parts store could be voided if the hoses werent repaolced, but you have that coverd.

They do sell a seal kit for the rack if thats the only problem.
A new rack runs around $200-300 plus install.

Good Luck

[mjtr21]

i finally got under the car today and i noticed that the fluid was all on the passenger side. i looked and found fluid on some wires and on the bottom of the oil pan. so that eliminates a bad rack because there are no leaks whatsoever around the rack. i checked and the hoses are tight on the pump. but it has to be coming from the pump somewheres. so my guess is the pump itself is leaking? i should also add the when i listen closely to the pump i can hear a faint humming sound and i can hear it from inside the car too. oh boy here comes pump #3. maybe i will buy new instead of reman this time. oh and i forgot to ask which side of the rack is the filter on? i read somewheres that changing this filter can quiet the pump.

[xeroinfinity]

Are you certain the leak isnt something else ?

The OEM filter in inside the pressure hose and close to the racks left side.
You probly should replace the hoses as GM recomends other wise you'll just keep buring up pumps from the debrie in the fluid/lines. The old hoses break down over time and then you end up with tiny particals in the system shortening the pumps life.
Any after market filter would go right above the subframe away from the exhaust headers.
But if you buy the pressure hose from the stealership, it'll have the filter inside the hose. Most auto part stores dont carry the pressure hose and its kinda pricey from the dealer. I usualy end up making my own hose at this point, if you have the equipment/tools.

At least run some sort of cleaner thru the system and flush it out good several time. Usualy untill the fluid runs clear as that is the color of power steering fluid. I use sea foam trans tune up, as its for the power steering and trans system cleaner.

Thier are procedures for the above in the Tips and Maintenance section.

[mjtr21]

umm i already told in the first thread that i replaced both hoses not too long ago. and im pretty sure its power steering fluid leaking because it looks like it and i am mysteriously losing fluid from the resivoir. i did buy new hoses from the dealer so im guessing i got a filter then. and yes i have flushed it out before i replaced the last pump and hoses. so my question in the last post was if i needed a new pump because i can hear it humming now?