Steering Rack Pissing Fluid. Replacement Q's

[DuHast]

I have a 1991 318is. My rack is leaking profusely on hard left or hard right turns. Slight turns produce no fluids, hard turns leave PS fluid trails.

Questions:

1. Can I use a 325 or reg 318 rack or do I have to find a 318is rack?
2. Would I be better off removing the PS pump, looping the PS lines and drainig most fluid out and living with is as a non-ps car?
3. Can I replace the boots and last a lil while longer? I'm sick of filling the reservoir every 3-4 days. Good thing I get free tranny / ps fluid.

[jlevie]

Replacing just the boots won't help. Eliminating the PS pump will stop the loss of fluid, but turning the wheel when stopped or moving slowly will require a lot of effort. I don't know about whether a rack from some other E30 variant will work.

[Jean]

1. you can swap in a rack from 325, but there is an e30m3 rack on the forum for sale, buy that :)
2. i would leave ps in for a dd imho
3. it would help, but since it's under pressure i don't if it's worth the hassle for little gain?

[Eastbaybimmer]

Im almost in the same boat :(

I pulled the boot to install new tie rods and was welcomed by a red bath of power steering fluid. Im over budget now, not sure what to do...

Buy new or rebuilt, e36 rack conversion, or try and rebuild it (I heard rebuilding doesnt last very long)

[stumble_t]

valvoline atf stopleak
try 2 quarts first