2003 Dodge 3500 steering rack leak / repair?

Question

I jsut got the truck, it has a few issues. I didn't steering was among them.

Last night i put the right front on a ramp to replace the AC compressor and left it there over night.

This morning I had no power steering and a puddle at the left end of the steering rack.

So I'm thinking the seals are leaking pretty bad. I had forgotten to check the level since i got the truck

So can the seals be replaced by me? I can't find any information on it but RockAuto sells a seal kit.

Thanks

yloshrk · Answer

First check the top line going into the rack. If that is where the leak is coming from, snug it up against the rack and put a new clamp on it. That is one of the most common leak points on those front ends.

hertfordnc · Answer

It's definitely coming from the rack &amp; pinion assembly- steady drip right from the boot.

perrysburg_dodg · Answer

Not sure why you would want to rebuild the rack yourself. If it were me, I would buy a quality rebuilt rack along with new inner and outer tie rod ends unless you have replaced the tie rods within the last two years. Also replace the rack bushings with polyurethane bushings.

There is a whole lot that can go south if you have never rebuilt a rack before.

Don

hertfordnc · Answer

Yup. new rack is on order. I researched the seal kit option BECAUSE Rock Auto sells it but it's probably not worth the effort.

But I'll probably get the rebuild kit and give it a try rather than return the core.

Apparently, rack and pinion steering on a three ton vehicle may not be the best idea and dodge has had a few problems so I may as well plan on having a spare.

Open to opinions

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2003 Dodge 3500 steering rack leak / repair?

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