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 end. I'd just had the oil changed and wondered if was just a messy job. So...back to the dealer and up on the lift. Rack and pinion is leaking. My first reaction was "are you kidding me????" I had that replaced in October 2013 with all new stuff at a dealership in Clearwater FL. It was not a cheap repair. I called the FL dealer and asked about warranty and was told 12 months. They agreed that it should have lasted more than 2 years and 60k miles but there was nothing they could do. They suggested that I call GM corporate customer service to see if they would help out. I live in Missouri again by the way. Any GM folks out there with thoughts on this? I don't really want to spend $$$$$ for another r & p replacement when I can't count on the parts lasting. The original R/P went 200,000 miles. Seems like the replacement should have gone longer than 60k. cts

"Just had the oil changed" is the key issue for me. I'd clean any wet areas with brake clean and try to dry things up. Then drive it and watch it to be sure it has a leak. Too many times it's something related to what was just touched. Now days it's best to go under there and see for yourself if the plug and filter are tight. I had a rotation and balance and the front tires were something like 63/79 and the rear were 79/84. Cant remember exactly but it was off a stupid amount in the front and caused it to pull bad.

Rack and pinion would drip dead center?

2oldman wrote:Rack and pinion would drip dead center? Looking at the front of the truck and directly behind where the license plate is... back about 1 foot. Oil drips on the garage floor. Perhaps I need a second opinion.

rjxj wrote:"Just had the oil changed" is the key issue for me. I'd clean any wet areas with brake clean and try to dry things up. Then drive it and watch it to be sure it has a leak. Too many times it's something related to what was just touched. Now days it's best to go under there and see for yourself if the plug and filter are tight. I had a rotation and balance and the front tires were something like 63/79 and the rear were 79/84. Cant remember exactly but it was off a stupid amount in the front and caused it to pull bad.I'm watching it. The service advisor told me it wasn't "critical" but to watch for difficulty turning or whining from the steering. That does not make me feel confident.

covetsthesun wrote:Perhaps I need a second opinion.My F450 PSD started having high pressure oil pump problems in its later life. Dunno if yours has that - mine was on top of the engine, oil pooled up there and dripped dead center.

Rack and Pinion. Again! | Good Sam Community

Ozlander
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
Or see where the oil is coming from.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Dec 24, 2015
Any reason you can't get under there and have a look for yourself? There's a plastic "skid plate" that comes off with 2-3 bolts. Rack and pinion is right above that as I recall, and you should be able to see that it's wet from oil.
covetsthesun
Explorer
Dec 24, 2015
Update: Watched and waited for any new oil spots. Nothing for awhile and then just a few days ago there was a brand new blackish spot. Not red. Not solid black. Steering still seems to be fine. Since I'd had all this replaced less than 60k miles ago, I called the Florida dealership to ask about warranty. 12/12 so no help there, although they did say the "expectation" was that it should last longer than 60k miles. Said I should contact GM Corp cust svc...maybe they would help. The dealer here pretty much said the same thing.
At this point... I'm seriously considering a second opinion from a larger dealership 30 miles away. Fresh eyes.

It does seem that the first rack/pinion lasted 203k miles, the second should have gone more than 60k.

Anyone have luck calling the GM Corp Cust Svc line or am I wasting my time?

Thanks
cts
BenK
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
Deathcool will turn dark brown when air gets into the closed system...hope it isn't
that, as that is expensive to fix...my radiator guy took over from his dad, who
was my AC/Radiator guy...high school buddy retired early because of Deathcool
work from dealers

NOthing wrong with DeathCool (OATs coolant)...until air gets into the system...I've
switched all of mine to American Green Coolant

If interested...search on this portal 'deathcool'...
covetsthesun
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
Bigfoot affair wrote:
covetsthesun wrote:
BenK wrote:
Another possibility and ask if you have the tow package with an engine oil cooler?

The engine oil lines run over to the main radiator and there is an internal engine
oil cooler to the main radiator main tank

The lines and/or the fittings might have gotten 'bumped' by the mechanic...or the
radiator is leaking
I do have a tow package, but I don't believe the engine oil cooler was included. Wouldn't the radiator be leaking a greenish coolant?

Your truck should be using Dexcool coolant which isn't green. Dexcool
Ok, we are using Dexcool. The drips on the floor are not red.
Bigfoot_affair
Nomad II
Dec 06, 2015
covetsthesun wrote:
BenK wrote:
Another possibility and ask if you have the tow package with an engine oil cooler?

The engine oil lines run over to the main radiator and there is an internal engine
oil cooler to the main radiator main tank

The lines and/or the fittings might have gotten 'bumped' by the mechanic...or the
radiator is leaking
I do have a tow package, but I don't believe the engine oil cooler was included. Wouldn't the radiator be leaking a greenish coolant?

Your truck should be using Dexcool coolant which isn't green. Dexcool
Bigfoot_affair
Nomad II
Dec 06, 2015
Delete
BenK
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
It is a radiator inside of the main radiator

So to leak outside of the main radiators hot tank...it would be the fittings for
the oil lines...or the lines themselves are leaking...OEMs are not known to put
in the best on these things...or anything for that matter...just gotta last past
the warranty period and then some...

OEMs and of course the government/military buy from the 'lowest bidder'...
covetsthesun
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
BenK wrote:
Another possibility and ask if you have the tow package with an engine oil cooler?

The engine oil lines run over to the main radiator and there is an internal engine
oil cooler to the main radiator main tank

The lines and/or the fittings might have gotten 'bumped' by the mechanic...or the
radiator is leaking
I do have a tow package, but I don't believe the engine oil cooler was included. Wouldn't the radiator be leaking a greenish coolant?
BenK
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
Another possibility and ask if you have the tow package with an engine oil cooler?

The engine oil lines run over to the main radiator and there is an internal engine
oil cooler to the main radiator main tank

The lines and/or the fittings might have gotten 'bumped' by the mechanic...or the
radiator is leaking

Forum Discussion

Rack and Pinion. Again!

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Outdoor RV TT's: Schwintek vs. Rack & Pinion Slides

Rack and Pinion Slide repair

Wheel seal leaking again and again and again

Bicycle Rack

Bike rack on bumper?