Power Steering /Rack n Pinion PLEASE HELP
#1
Power Steering /Rack n Pinion PLEASE HELP
I have a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan SE with 98k miles on it. In 2009 I had some warranty work done and the rack and pinion was entirely replaced by the Dodge dealership. In the past few days the power steering has been whining, intermittently, mostly when i turn and usually when its warmed up. I used some of the Lucas PS steering fluid about 1 week ago and it was as quiet as a mouse. Last I checked the fluid seemed okay, but yesterday I decided to add some because it was whining again pretty loudly.
The next statement is going to sound really stupid. (I am a girl, cut me a break). I stopped at the gas station bought a quart of power steering fluid and poured it in. It took the "entire" quart. Hmmm, not thinking anything, I looked to the left and didn't see anything on the ground, so I bought a second quart and poured that in, it too the "entire" thing. So I looked to the right and found that as I poured in the fluid, it was pouring on the ground, all 2 quarts of it.
So I have a guy come over that is pretty handy with mechanics and he wasn't able to jack it up, but didn't think it was the power steering pump, but maybe a hose or the rack n pinion.
Can anyone shed some light. Is there a hose down there by the rack n pinion? Do rack n pinions go out that quickly. I didn't think so.
Thanks for any help.
The next statement is going to sound really stupid. (I am a girl, cut me a break). I stopped at the gas station bought a quart of power steering fluid and poured it in. It took the "entire" quart. Hmmm, not thinking anything, I looked to the left and didn't see anything on the ground, so I bought a second quart and poured that in, it too the "entire" thing. So I looked to the right and found that as I poured in the fluid, it was pouring on the ground, all 2 quarts of it.
So I have a guy come over that is pretty handy with mechanics and he wasn't able to jack it up, but didn't think it was the power steering pump, but maybe a hose or the rack n pinion.
Can anyone shed some light. Is there a hose down there by the rack n pinion? Do rack n pinions go out that quickly. I didn't think so.
Thanks for any help.
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maybe, she said it was done in 2009, usually I see just 12k/12months on warranty, but maybe some have a longer warranty
#7
dont feel bad about being a girl. You are atleast a girl with her head on her shoulders that actually looking at fluid levels and what is what. most would not even know where the dip stick for oil is. said that i not sure what amount of power steering fluid you have but i doupt it be more than one bottle. so theres a sign right away that theres a leak. now like they said possible hose blown off. also if i recall not sure if its break resourvoir or the power steering one the filter screen gets stuck/plugged. might as well fix that too.
I have a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan SE with 98k miles on it. In 2009 I had some warranty work done and the rack and pinion was entirely replaced by the Dodge dealership. In the past few days the power steering has been whining, intermittently, mostly when i turn and usually when its warmed up. I used some of the Lucas PS steering fluid about 1 week ago and it was as quiet as a mouse. Last I checked the fluid seemed okay, but yesterday I decided to add some because it was whining again pretty loudly.
The next statement is going to sound really stupid. (I am a girl, cut me a break). I stopped at the gas station bought a quart of power steering fluid and poured it in. It took the "entire" quart. Hmmm, not thinking anything, I looked to the left and didn't see anything on the ground, so I bought a second quart and poured that in, it too the "entire" thing. So I looked to the right and found that as I poured in the fluid, it was pouring on the ground, all 2 quarts of it.
So I have a guy come over that is pretty handy with mechanics and he wasn't able to jack it up, but didn't think it was the power steering pump, but maybe a hose or the rack n pinion.
Can anyone shed some light. Is there a hose down there by the rack n pinion? Do rack n pinions go out that quickly. I didn't think so.
Thanks for any help.
The next statement is going to sound really stupid. (I am a girl, cut me a break). I stopped at the gas station bought a quart of power steering fluid and poured it in. It took the "entire" quart. Hmmm, not thinking anything, I looked to the left and didn't see anything on the ground, so I bought a second quart and poured that in, it too the "entire" thing. So I looked to the right and found that as I poured in the fluid, it was pouring on the ground, all 2 quarts of it.
So I have a guy come over that is pretty handy with mechanics and he wasn't able to jack it up, but didn't think it was the power steering pump, but maybe a hose or the rack n pinion.
Can anyone shed some light. Is there a hose down there by the rack n pinion? Do rack n pinions go out that quickly. I didn't think so.
Thanks for any help.
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2005 Caravan - Replace Rack and Pinion - Special tool
The rack and pinion on my van is leaking. Want to do it myself but in the manual they use Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A to remove the roll pin connecting the rack and pinion to the intermediate coupler.
In your experience is there enough room to get in there to drive the pin out with a punch instead of the tool???
Lower steering gear from suspension cradle enough to allow access to the intermediate coupler roll pin (Fig. 9). Install Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A through the center of the roll pin, securing with the knurled nut (Fig. 9). Hold threaded rod stationary while turning nut, this will pull the roll pin out of the intermediate coupler.
In your experience is there enough room to get in there to drive the pin out with a punch instead of the tool???
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