steering rack leak

[june3o]

so yeah.. that's the problem, but my friend said that I should use Valvoline MaxLife Power Steering Fluid with Stop Leak... Question is, how much do I need? I have to drain the old one? ..How?

Sorry, I'm still a noob. But any opinions and feedbacks will be much appreciated! Thanks!

[Simon S]

Hell, I'd just read/follow directions on the bottle.

Wouldn't bother draining - just pour the stuff in the reservoir. Done.

Maybe go conservative with 1/2 a bottle? and if that didn't work - pour the rest in.
It's not rocket science man. There isn't much to worry about.

I've used it. It stopped the leak.

[wodcutr]

Do not use any official power steering fluid...it will eat the hell out of your seals and then you will have to replace the rack. ATF is what is supposed to go in the power steering system. Generally your leak is probably coming from the hoses going to the res. Those can both be repaired at a hose shop for minimal $. Your rack may already be leaking bad enough though to need to replace anyway. Figure out where it is leaking from first and then determine how to go about fixing it!

[june3o]

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/VLV1/VV335.oap?pt=N0494&ppt=C0175

that's what I got.. isn't that what I'm suppose to use?

it's supposedly my rack that's leaking..

[BMMal]

My rack used to leak badly when I got my car (a reservoir a day). I replaced the seals in the rack which were fine for almost a year when they blew out again. The problem was that the rack housing was worn enough that the rack itself could move a little bit and stretch the seals until they tore.

Try some stop leak and if it works great. Otherwise I have been happy with the remanuf. rack I bought from Pelican. If you go that route and you're ambitious with money you could put in an e36 rack which has fewer turns lock to lock