Rack and Pinion. Again!
Ok, I am beyond frustrated with my truck. 2004 1500 LT3 Silverado ext cab. Last week it was replacing the gauge center. Two days later I notice oil drips on the garage floor... dead center front e...
Forum Discussion
Got it...so here are some tidbits on how fluids are held in and therefore
why/how they leak...
Think a jar of jam and the lid, which has a gasket on the lid to seal out/in. Some
will have a plastic/rubber ring where the jar's top edge will mate with the lid
Others will have the whole lid inner liner become the sealing agent.
Turn it upside down and if the lid is tightened properly with a good seal...it
will 0r should not leak
If the seal isn't very good because not tightened enough and/or the gasket is
compromised somehow, then the leak.
That is static. Meaning no under pressure.
Now for those which are under pressure. Think of a pressure cooker and the
gasket that is on the lid. Some are on the pot's upper edge rim.
Ditto everything else, it will leak if not tightened enough, or the seal is
somehow compromised
Now toss in sliding/rotating something that has a similar seal/gasket. That is
the rack and pinion steering assembly.
There are rotating and sliding parts that are under pressure...that has to have
very good seals.
Over time, all of that sliding and rotating will wear out the seal and/or the
metal part sliding/rotating against it.
Why we have suggested having the Rack and Pinion cleaned to see if it is leaking.
Plus everything else up and around there.
Now understand and suggest finding a mechanic/dealer to do this. Have them
show you the setup while it is up on the lift (if you can/want to look see yourself)
Automotive will have lots of these fluids pushed/pulled all over the engine
compartment...under pressure.
The hoses, fitting, etc all have potential to leak. Hoses do split over time
from both age and stresses from the pressure. Unseen many times, as it only
leaks at the high end of the working pressure
This is why my advice when turning the steering wheel and hit the bump stop that
limits how much you can turn...to back off a bit once the bump stop is touched.
The power-steering pump will continue to 'try' and turn/move the steering...creating
more pressure against that bump stop (brick wall so to speak)
The steering pump should have a max pressure limit switch, but as hoses age...they
can no longer work at those elevated pressures...to leak...
The leak(s) will be from the mating areas with gaskets or hose fittings
(ends of the hoses), or seals for rotating/sliding components...not
form the middle of a metal part
Good luck and Happy Holidays !!!
why/how they leak...
Think a jar of jam and the lid, which has a gasket on the lid to seal out/in. Some
will have a plastic/rubber ring where the jar's top edge will mate with the lid
Others will have the whole lid inner liner become the sealing agent.
Turn it upside down and if the lid is tightened properly with a good seal...it
will 0r should not leak
If the seal isn't very good because not tightened enough and/or the gasket is
compromised somehow, then the leak.
That is static. Meaning no under pressure.
Now for those which are under pressure. Think of a pressure cooker and the
gasket that is on the lid. Some are on the pot's upper edge rim.
Ditto everything else, it will leak if not tightened enough, or the seal is
somehow compromised
Now toss in sliding/rotating something that has a similar seal/gasket. That is
the rack and pinion steering assembly.
There are rotating and sliding parts that are under pressure...that has to have
very good seals.
Over time, all of that sliding and rotating will wear out the seal and/or the
metal part sliding/rotating against it.
Why we have suggested having the Rack and Pinion cleaned to see if it is leaking.
Plus everything else up and around there.
Now understand and suggest finding a mechanic/dealer to do this. Have them
show you the setup while it is up on the lift (if you can/want to look see yourself)
Automotive will have lots of these fluids pushed/pulled all over the engine
compartment...under pressure.
The hoses, fitting, etc all have potential to leak. Hoses do split over time
from both age and stresses from the pressure. Unseen many times, as it only
leaks at the high end of the working pressure
This is why my advice when turning the steering wheel and hit the bump stop that
limits how much you can turn...to back off a bit once the bump stop is touched.
The power-steering pump will continue to 'try' and turn/move the steering...creating
more pressure against that bump stop (brick wall so to speak)
The steering pump should have a max pressure limit switch, but as hoses age...they
can no longer work at those elevated pressures...to leak...
The leak(s) will be from the mating areas with gaskets or hose fittings
(ends of the hoses), or seals for rotating/sliding components...not
form the middle of a metal part
Good luck and Happy Holidays !!!
