Steering rack...you won't believe this
#1
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Last year, I was planning on replacing my leaking steering rack. I kept putting it off and it finally turned cold and I put it off until this summer. Knowing that transmission fluid is the fluid of choice in the 928 steering system, I put a bottle of transmission stop-leak in the system, figuring it couldn't make things worse. I can't believe it but after a few weeks the leak stopped. I keep checking the reservoir and it's always good.
I'm not recommending this to anyone but it worked for me...so far. If it starts leaking again, I'm just going to order a rebuilt from one of the big three or from AutoZone where (I've heard) many are rebuilt for them, et al.
H2
I'm not recommending this to anyone but it worked for me...so far. If it starts leaking again, I'm just going to order a rebuilt from one of the big three or from AutoZone where (I've heard) many are rebuilt for them, et al.
H2
#2
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WOW.... I have a little pin hole leak in my heater core in my '94 GTS and keep trying to figure out how to use the "radiator leak stop" stuff for that problem WITHOUT exposing ANY of the nice delicate engine components to the gunk... Have thought about using a hand pump to pump some of that stuff through the core with all of the engine stuff blocked off... then plugging the ends to leave it sit for awhile (day, week, month...whatever) then go back and pull all that out and flush it several times and then reconnect everything and see if it has fixed the leak...
Good call on the transmission fluid leak stop... Might try that on one or more of my leaky transmissions just before I have to change them out...just to see...like you said, it can't hurt and might actually put off a replacement.
Thanks for sharing that!
Good call on the transmission fluid leak stop... Might try that on one or more of my leaky transmissions just before I have to change them out...just to see...like you said, it can't hurt and might actually put off a replacement.
Thanks for sharing that!
#3
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Careful - good friend of mine and fellow r-lister used that stuff on his rad, and ended up needing a new engine. I would not use that stuff in my engine. Instead, find the leak and fix it. As to steering rack, seems like a decent way to extend life a bit.
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James: I have a used heater core from an 89 S4 sitting in my garage, if you need it.
Harvey: If you get a new steering rack, you might consider upgrading to the 91 and later type that allows for more power assist (in combination with a different pump and bracket. I would never want to go back to a pre-91 model for the power steering alone.
Harvey: If you get a new steering rack, you might consider upgrading to the 91 and later type that allows for more power assist (in combination with a different pump and bracket. I would never want to go back to a pre-91 model for the power steering alone.
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I've done the transmission stop-leak (Valvoline) on the P/S system and it does work. I don't think you can do much damage to the system as it's only really making the seals expand and making them more compliant. Worst case you rebuild the rack.
As for radiator stop-leak, that is a much different (and scary) process. The chemicals in the radiator stop-leak actually plug the holes. Can't even imagine what that does inside the engine. Replace the radiator. I got a good used one from 928 intl (or buy Nicole's) and while your at it replace the water pump and flush the cooling system.
Just my 2 cents.
As for radiator stop-leak, that is a much different (and scary) process. The chemicals in the radiator stop-leak actually plug the holes. Can't even imagine what that does inside the engine. Replace the radiator. I got a good used one from 928 intl (or buy Nicole's) and while your at it replace the water pump and flush the cooling system.
Just my 2 cents.
#7
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Three years ago I sucked out the power steering reservoir and filled up with a bottle of Lucus Power Steering Stop Leak juice.
Still drip free.
Still drip free.
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#9
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It's good that you've stopped the leak, just don't forget that the stuff that softened and expanded the seals in the rack to help them seal, will have done the same to the seals in the pump, and perhaps to the hoses as well. YMMV.
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James: I have a used heater core from an 89 S4 sitting in my garage, if you need it.
Harvey: If you get a new steering rack, you might consider upgrading to the 91 and later type that allows for more power assist (in combination with a different pump and bracket. I would never want to go back to a pre-91 model for the power steering alone.
Harvey: If you get a new steering rack, you might consider upgrading to the 91 and later type that allows for more power assist (in combination with a different pump and bracket. I would never want to go back to a pre-91 model for the power steering alone.
Is the '91 steering rack a simple bolt-on replacement or does it require something else to make it work?
Sounds interesting,
BTW, I used Barr's Stop Leak in an old Chevy Pickup for 30 years. It had a leak that showed up every spring...then I'd put in a bottle of Barr's and it was good for a year. I always carried a bottle with me when 4-wheeling in the desert. But I'd never use it in my 928...Chevy engines are much easier to replace.
H2
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