power steering
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 41
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From: Dover, PA
power steering
Our 96 X has a problem with the power steering getting tight after driving a while. It did this over the winter. At that time I had flushed the system and added the Lucas power steering conditioner. This worked for until now. Does anyone know whether the problem is the pump or the rack unit?
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 392
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From: Las Vegas, NV
A friend of mine changed her pump for this very problem, and it didn't fix the problem. She refuses to spend the money on the rack so I don't know if that is the problem, either.
However, if flushing and changed the fluid worked for a while, perhaps doing it again might help. If it is dirty in there, the valves might have plugged again and another fluishing might get rid of what is left. I would try it anyway.
However, if flushing and changed the fluid worked for a while, perhaps doing it again might help. If it is dirty in there, the valves might have plugged again and another fluishing might get rid of what is left. I would try it anyway.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 31
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I just went through this problem...oh man. Pain in the ****. The steering wheel was shuttering, so I took it to a very well known CANADIAN store that also sells TIRE stuff.
They said it could be the pump, or the rack and pinion. They started with the pump. It went away...for about a week. I took it back...they went through the bleeding process again. So it worked for about a month this time...I took it back...they almost replaced it again, but told me these things take time to get the air out of them....or the rack & pinion was causing air to get into the pump.
Well, having a hydraulics expert in the family, I was told there is NO way the air in the pump is caused by the rack & pinion. So I waited...for over a month....and it finally went away.
They really wanted to change that rack & pinion though....I just kept refusing them. Good thing.
They said it could be the pump, or the rack and pinion. They started with the pump. It went away...for about a week. I took it back...they went through the bleeding process again. So it worked for about a month this time...I took it back...they almost replaced it again, but told me these things take time to get the air out of them....or the rack & pinion was causing air to get into the pump.
Well, having a hydraulics expert in the family, I was told there is NO way the air in the pump is caused by the rack & pinion. So I waited...for over a month....and it finally went away.
They really wanted to change that rack & pinion though....I just kept refusing them. Good thing.
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4
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From: NE Philadelphia
Your problem is definitely in the rack. The aluminum housing evenually wears out internally, and the teflons can no longer make up the space difference, therefore the spool valve no longer seals itself in the housing.
New User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8
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have any of you replaced the rack and pinion? If so, any thoughts on prices and where to have it done, or if could be a home job?
My '98 Explorer 2WD, 2Dr has 98k miles and leaks fluid from both sides of the rack. the boots over the inner tie rods basically fill up since there is so much fluid.
Dealer wants ~$760 incl. alignment, and midas/tuffy are around $690, but i've seen non-OEM racks for ~$150 at major auto parts places.
Thanks.
My '98 Explorer 2WD, 2Dr has 98k miles and leaks fluid from both sides of the rack. the boots over the inner tie rods basically fill up since there is so much fluid.
Dealer wants ~$760 incl. alignment, and midas/tuffy are around $690, but i've seen non-OEM racks for ~$150 at major auto parts places.
Thanks.
