Power Steering Fluid Loss

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Feb 24, 2006 | 08:39 PM

vdborn

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Power Steering Fluid Loss

I've got a 93 Aerostar with a 4.0 litre engine. I'm losing power steering fluid but I do not see any signs of a leak under the van. I do not know if it is my imagination, but it seems like the drivers side steering gear boot is getting larger. Does the power steering fluid pass through that unit, and if so, could the return hose from that unit be plugged? I am putting fluid in the resevoir daily. This has really got me stumped. I got the rack and pinion replaced in November 2004, so this is really frustrating.

Feb 24, 2006 | 10:35 PM

copper_90680

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From: Southern California

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdborn

Welcome to our forum

It looks like you need to replace the rack again. It has been an annual ritual for me, at the precise place you are describing. Pretty soon you'll see fluid coming out the boot.

You need to flush the whole system and put in an in-line filter if you want this thing to last, or you'll keep having to replace them. The rebuilt units are real junk, and there is a reason they come with a "lifetime guarantee."

Feb 25, 2006 | 04:27 AM

96_4wdr

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Joined: Apr 2005

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From: Washington state

check front shocks, bushings, tie rod ends and suspension arms for any loose worn parts....check front tires for out of balance...vibration and worn shocks kill new steering units

if there is any side pull in steering, get aligned...adds extra stress on rack

is this vehicle used in town delivery low speed turning mainly or driven on rough gravel roads mainly?....rack/pinions should last 200k plus with just freeway type driving

curbing is death on rack units...women drivers pay for the expensive hobbies of owners of front end shops-fishing junkets to New Zealand, weekend vintage Ferrari racing events, big boy toy F350 570 ci stroker V8 4wdr monster mudder logging road racers at 1 mpg

i came with a "lifetime guarantee" but my wife is trying to collect early

anyone recall the original warranty period on their Aero? think mine was 3 years, Ford engineers knew how to build vehicles then

Quote:

Originally Posted by copper_90680

they come with a "lifetime guarantee."

Last edited by 96_4wdr; Feb 25, 2006 at 04:47 AM.

Feb 25, 2006 | 07:44 AM

vdborn

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Checked with my local Canadian Tire and the unit is indeed covered under a life time warranty. It's still going to cost me 3 hours labour, plus fluid, plus front end alignment....

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I was going to go to another shop so you saved me the price of a new unit.

Feb 26, 2006 | 01:19 AM

xlt4wd90

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From: SoCal

Strangely, you might be better off pulling a used one off of a van in the salvage yard. I have heard about how bad those rebuilt racks are. But if you can find a non-leaking rack in a salvage yard, its seals are probably going to work better than those rebuilts.

I am currently using a rack that I installed about 14 years ago. It was 2 years used when I got it from the salvage yard.

Feb 26, 2006 | 09:02 AM

ken1mod

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First, you might try adding stp oil treatment to the system. I have used this many times on leaky racks and have always had good resultts. what do you have to lose? You might also consider replacing the rack seals while the unit is on the truck. I would try this as it is only about 20 bucks for the seal kit.

ken