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Rack and Pinion question.

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Old 04-28-2020 | 02:43 PM
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Default Rack and Pinion question.

I have a 2008 2wd with the 3.7L a week ago I noticed a few drops of fluid and it appears to have come from the left side boot of the rack and pinion I haven't seen a drop since, both boots are a little moist but not wet or dripping, I checked the power steering fluid it was a little low but still registered on the dipstick (I did top it off).

The question is what do I do now, get the rack and pinion replaced right away or monitor it to see if I see any other drips and keep a close eye on the power steering fluid?

 
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Old 04-28-2020 | 11:34 PM
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remove the boot clamp and pry a gap in the boot (or put a pinhole in the boot). if you see fluid in the boot replace the rack and get an alignment.
 
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Old 04-30-2020 | 07:53 AM
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mine has been that way for 4 years, just keep monitoring it. if you notice the res constantly going out of fluid, time to replace!
 
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Old 04-30-2020 | 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by regg187
mine has been that way for 4 years, just keep monitoring it. if you notice the res constantly going out of fluid, time to replace!
Do you keep adding fluid or are you just watching it?
 
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Old 04-30-2020 | 06:35 PM
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about every 30 days the fluid hits the low mark on the stick. refill and do it again next month!
 
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Old 07-28-2020 | 10:37 AM
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It's been 3 months (2-3k miles) the fluid level hasn't changed and no drips on the floor am I good to go or is it just a matter of time?
 
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Old 07-29-2020 | 06:26 AM
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Originally Posted by budmantom
I have a 2008 2wd with the 3.7L a week ago I noticed a few drops of fluid and it appears to have come from the left side boot of the rack and pinion I haven't seen a drop since, both boots are a little moist but not wet or dripping, I checked the power steering fluid it was a little low but still registered on the dipstick (I did top it off).

The question is what do I do now, get the rack and pinion replaced right away or monitor it to see if I see any other drips and keep a close eye on the power steering fluid?
I must have missed this thread before. I've been seeing a few drops of fluid on my 2005's rack boots for probably 10 years now. Topped off the fluid with a few ounces maybe twice during that period. Otherwise, never been an issue.

Not gonna sweat a huge repair bill when that single $5 bottle of fluid has lasted me through a decade.
 
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Old 07-29-2020 | 09:31 AM
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Good to know I'm not alone. Thanks!
 
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Old 07-30-2020 | 02:07 PM
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Mine was leaking from the drivers side as well. It still worked as long as I topped up the reservoir but I was "marking my spot" at work and finally swapped it out last month. I changed the rack, the high pressure hose and the outer tie rod ends and it wasn't a hateful job. I took measurements before I took it apart and set the new one up the same. It drove fine, but I have fairly new tires so I took it in for an alignment for insurance.
 
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Old 03-20-2021 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by erau
I must have missed this thread before. I've been seeing a few drops of fluid on my 2005's rack boots for probably 10 years now. Topped off the fluid with a few ounces maybe twice during that period. Otherwise, never been an issue.

Not gonna sweat a huge repair bill when that single $5 bottle of fluid has lasted me through a decade.
Well it's been about a year for the most part I'm good but I did see a couple of drops in the driveway, I did top off the fluid it didn't "need" any but I wanted to be at the top of the mark.


 



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