Thaddeus

Hey,

My power steering rack needs new boots. They're ripped to hell.

It also occasionally leaks. In almost a thousand miles of driving, I have lost about 1 oz. of fluid. The only time fluid leaks is when the suspension is at full extension and the steering is at full lock, one way or the other. In other words, it doesn't leak when it's being driven-- just when it's up on jackstands and I'm moving the steering back and forth for maintenance purposes.

Should I just replace the boots and get another year out of it?

Replace the boots and rack, leaving tie rod ends alone?

Replace the whole shooting match?

Other?

Input gratefully accepted.

karl ruiter

The stock rack on my '82 lasted about 20 years but the rebuild just lasted a few years. It seems like the rebuild ones may not always last as long as the origonal. If this is the case you might want to make your stock rack last as long as possible. I suspect boots will help extend the life of the rack and that, depending on cost, it might or might not make sense to do the rod ends while you are in there.

Garth S

If the tie rods are both tight and free of play at inner and outer ends, keep them!
Seperate the outer end from the spindle, back off the lock nut exactly 1/4 turn and tape in place, spin off the end, replace boot, .... This way, the toe-in setting should be maintained.
Flush out the rack with fresh ATF, and drive. One of these rack fluid conditioners (Lucas) can be added to soften the seals, but i do not know if they really help??

H2

Garth,

What kind of wheel is that you show below your name? That's really cool.

Harvey

Garth S

That is the front 8x16 (forged) Club Sport on the '80 - oem to the '89GT - all I'm missing is the '89GT part