steering
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Canada
steering
1990 Aerostar 4.0
I was checking out my power steering because I have a major whine in it, you can hear it a block away. I noticed where the steering column goes into the steering rack there is a seal at the top of the rack that is leaking. Can I just replace the seal, it is dried and cracked? I've never done this before, just wondering if I can change it or do I have to get a whole new rack? Would that cause my steering wheel to shake vigorously? Or maybe the rotors?
Thanks for everybody's help again.
I was checking out my power steering because I have a major whine in it, you can hear it a block away. I noticed where the steering column goes into the steering rack there is a seal at the top of the rack that is leaking. Can I just replace the seal, it is dried and cracked? I've never done this before, just wondering if I can change it or do I have to get a whole new rack? Would that cause my steering wheel to shake vigorously? Or maybe the rotors?
Thanks for everybody's help again.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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steering
You can replace the seal (input gear seal), however what you are seeing is the dust cap. The actual seal is under the dust cap and secured by a large clip ring. Fairly straightforward replacement if done on a bench but considerably more difficult to do with the unit mounted in the vehicle. Impossible to do on AWD versions without pulling the assembly.
A whine in the power steering system is usuallly from the pump and often due to air trapped in the system when the fluid level drops too low. Overfilling the pump will also cause your input seal to leak, so proper fluid level is important.
The shake is likely not from the rack unless the mounting bolts are loose. Loose bolts generally cause a clunk noise when turning and cause the steering wheel to be offset when returned to a straight line. (after completing the turn) More likely causes are warped rotors or worn outer tie rod ends, both are very common in these vehicles.
A whine in the power steering system is usuallly from the pump and often due to air trapped in the system when the fluid level drops too low. Overfilling the pump will also cause your input seal to leak, so proper fluid level is important.
The shake is likely not from the rack unless the mounting bolts are loose. Loose bolts generally cause a clunk noise when turning and cause the steering wheel to be offset when returned to a straight line. (after completing the turn) More likely causes are warped rotors or worn outer tie rod ends, both are very common in these vehicles.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Canada
steering
Aerocolorado, thank you for all your help over the past few months. I will tackle this as soon as I have time. I'm sure I will be needing more advice due to the fact my van has reached 300,000 km. Still going. Need new heads. Am I going to hurt the block if I put new heads on? I seem to be losing antifreeze and have a slight miss and a pinging noise on the passenger side.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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steering
Different heads will not affect your block, but you may not need new heads. At your van's advanced age, it may have a tired head gasket allowing leakage. I would suggest having a shop perform a leak down test done to confirm this. If head leakage is found, just replace the gaskets on both sides as well as renewing both heads. (Valves, stem seals, etc.) Mikeman, a frequent contributor, has first hand experience with head removal and replacements. He has several postings on this subject. Try a search or see if you can contact him via FTE private mail box.
Pinging may be just a bad plug or plug wires. Plug wires generally do not last beyond 50,000 miles. Or, it may be related to the aforementioned problem, causing one or more cylinders to misfire.
Pinging may be just a bad plug or plug wires. Plug wires generally do not last beyond 50,000 miles. Or, it may be related to the aforementioned problem, causing one or more cylinders to misfire.
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norcalcapri
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