North American Turbocoupe Organization



power steering system leak
pac man Offline
Junior Member
#1
I have a slow leak in the high pressure power steering hose. I took it to a shop today and they are saying the rack also seems to be leaking slightly and they want to charge me $500 to replace both. I was thinking of changing the high pressure line and then changing the rack sometime in the summer when I have more time. Is this something I can do fairly easily on my own?
88 TC 5 Speed
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
You can do it. Napa sells a rack (get the right one) and a HP hose. There are a couple past posts on it. Check them out as it's a PITA If I remember what others have said.
Pete Dunham


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Liquid_force Offline
Senior Member
#3
I did the PS rack in mine 2-1/2 years ago. I was pretty much a rookie at the time. Took me 3 hrs or so. Not that tough, but if it's been leaking - VEEEEERY messy. Not sure about the high pressure hose.
88 TC -- Dark Blue 283k
RIP - 9/22/07
She was a great TC and went down swinging Smile
Now -- Me: A minivan, I'll spare you the details.
Her: '09 VW Tiguan AWD 2.0T 101k
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martin0660 Offline
Posting Freak
#4
As has been said, both parts are available from aftermarket sources, the trick is getting the right rack. This is not a big deal, but depending on the parts store....

I would recomned changing these as a set. The HP hose fitting is a PITA to get to while its on the car. Everytime I've done it (4 or 5 times), I have put the hose fittings on the rack before putting it up in the car.....Well, after the first time [Image: wink.gif]

I believe this is why those fitting pivot when tight.

Bob Myers
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pac man Offline
Junior Member
#5
Thank you for your input. Is this something that I should do right away? The leak is very slow and if I can get away with it for about two months, I can work it it at home instead of having to do it in my apartment parking lot at school.
88 TC 5 Speed
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martin0660 Offline
Posting Freak
#6
Quote:Originally posted by pac man:
Is this something that I should do right away?

Loaded question, Your mileage may vary [Image: smile.gif]

I drove mine for 2 months just dripping. To be honest, toward the end, it really started to be a PITA, I probably waited too long. The problem with this one was a leak at the input shaft seal. It looked like a fitting, but it was where the shaft goes into the rack.

A few more thoughts if you are going to drive it a while...

- Dont let the pump run dry, EVER. Dont let it get low either.
- That power stering "stop leak" fluid generally doesent work well
-You could try the Lucas power steering fluid and stop leak. It is different in that it is thick as heck. The upside is that its harder to leak, the downside is that it will make the pump growl as soon as the temperatures goes below ~45 degrees.
- You will most likely start to have a growling PS pump, because you will mess up with one of these and get air in the system. It might now even be your fault as the leak will let air in as it worsens. You can generally do a good flush when you change rack and hoses.

That all said, you might be able to wait, if you can live with it. Talk about a diffinitive answer [Image: wink.gif]

Bob Myers

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1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
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