![]() ![]() It’s unsafe to drive a car that’s leaking gas. Most antifreeze used to be green now it comes in several hues.įirst, if it smells like gas - and it’s not just a few drops you spilled while filling the tank - treat it as a big deal, because it probably is. Reddish fluid is usually from the transmission, though it could also be power-steering fluid. How can you figure it out? To be sure, you’ll need to pinpoint where it’s coming from using your eyes and your nose.Īmber, dark brown or even black fluid is probably motor oil, but it could also be brake fluid. Now that your leak has hopefully been fixed with new hoses, new gaskets, and a new steering rack, it's time to refill your reservoir with fluid.Whether you spot a puddle under your car or just a few drops, there are several possible culprits, and color alone might not explain what it is. You should still take your vehicle into a shop after this repair for a realignment, however, just to be sure you're set. Make sure your tie rod is aligned identically on either side to what it was on the old assembly. Slide the new rack into this groove and begin reversing the whole process to secure it in place. You'll need to remove the power steering lines from the rack as well before you finally unscrew the pinch bolt on the steering column shaft so the whole assembly slides off. Slide this out of the way some so you can get to the bolts that actually hold the rack in place. Next, remove the stabilizer bolts from the torsion bar and unbolt it from the frame. Unscrew the rack assembly from the tie rod next, and then repeat the process on the other side of the car. Unfasten and remove the tie rod from the vehicle a new steering rack will not come with one, so you will have to attach it to the existing tie rods before you can finish the installation. Then, take off both of your front wheels to give yourself easier access to the steering rack. Start by securing your steering wheel so it doesn't move when the rack is removed. When this happens you can use some Leak Stop to seal up some of the cracked areas, but you will need to replace the rack and pinion to stop the leaks entirely. Some leaks are caused because the rack and pinion is failing. Then, refit them in the same spot and secure them. Simply remove the old ones and make sure you buy suitable replacements. There are a few gaskets on the rack and pinion assembly that may need to be replaced if they are dried out and worn. Get the bolts nice and tight again so you don't have to worry about problems later. Then, fit your new power steering hose in place starting at the bottom and moving to the top. Loosen the top bolt on the hose first before removing the bolt down by the steering rack. In this case, you can use a lubricant to help. Since they need to be on very tight, you might have trouble getting them off. ![]() The power steering hoses that are connected to the rack and pinion are high pressure hoses that will be bolted into place, so you will need to remove them with a line wrench or a socket wrench. Make sure you dispose of the old fluid properly as well. You will always want fresh fluid in the system after a repair. Place a drip pan underneath the power steering unit, remove the bottom bolt, and drain out the fluid completely. Since you just cleaned your hoses, any new fluid on them should tell you the source of the leak. Then, turn the car off again and carefully inspect your power steering hoses and rack. Step 4 - Locate the Leakįill your power steering reservoir only slightly with fluid, briefly turn your vehicle back on, and turn your steering wheel back and forth for a few minutes. You may find that they are dry and brittle, in which case they will need to be replaced. Also, look at the overall condition of the hoses while you are cleaning them. This will help you better determine where the leak is coming from. ![]() Take some time to clean the hose from the rack and pinion of any grease, dirt, and fluids. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels and apply the emergency break so it does not accidentally roll while you're working. ![]() When you reach the top, put the car in park and turn off the engine. Place the ramps on a flat surface and carefully drive the front wheels of your vehicle onto them. A pair of heavy duty car ramps are a good option for safely lifting your car enough to work under it. To get at the rack and pinion, you will need to crawl under the vehicle. This has been successful as a short term fix in order to get you home or to a repair center. This will not replace the power steering fluid, but will add it into the mix. Many people who have had some leaks with the rack and pinion problems will put some brake fluid into the power steering reservoir. Step 1 - Use Some Brake Fluid for a Temporary Fix ![]()
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