Steering rack pukes when turning to the left?

[spike68]

So i was pulling out my car to go somewhere and i heard my power steering when i was turning out. I checked the tank and it was basically empty. I checked under the car and saw a small puddle of steering fluid under the passenger side protective boot.
i did further investigation and saw its leaking from the boot only when i turn towards the left?
Im seriously confused.
Anyone have any input what may be broken?

Im seriously sad right now. SOWO is days away and this happens :(

[ttrousdell]

sounds like you blew a seal

[spike68]

sounds like you blew a seal

Easy fix?

[george graves]

The rack leaks, and the fluid builds up in the bellows. When you turn the wheel, the bellows get compressed, and the fluid squirts out. Really fun it it happens when you are driving quickly around a corner and the trail of fluid matches up with one of your rear wheels.

You'll need a new or used rack. Rebuilding them isn't easy. Most people take the opportunity to upgrade to a e36/z3 rack. Really can't recoment them enough. They transform the feel of the car.

If your pinching pennies. There is a great product that will stop the leak. You'll want to get EXACTLY this. Not something like it....this (get two, and some quality ATF)

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid-with-stop-leak/38

[spike68]

The rack leaks, and the fluid builds up in the bellows. When you turn the wheel, the bellows get compressed, and the fluid squirts out. Really fun it it happens when you are driving quickly around a corner and the trail of fluid matches up with one of your rear wheels.

You'll need a new or used rack. Rebuilding them isn't easy. Most people take the opportunity to upgrade to a e36/z3 rack. Really can't recoment them enough. They transform the feel of the car.

If your pinching pennies. There is a great product that will stop the leak. You'll want to get EXACTLY this. Not something like it....this (get two, and some quality ATF)

http://www.valvoline.com/products/br...h-stop-leak/38

Well i just tried it and and its still puking, so looks like my car isnt going to SOWO this year :(

and looks like its going to sit in the garage for a while since i dont have the money to replace the steering rack either.

[AndrewBird]

You could always just delete the power steering for now. Loop the lines and drive it as is. Only difference will be harder to turn at slow speeds. You could even just pull the power steering pump belt and run it like that.

[spike68]

You could always just delete the power steering for now. Loop the lines and drive it as is. Only difference will be harder to turn at slow speeds. You could even just pull the power steering pump belt and run it like that.

What if I left it as is?
I know it would make an obnoxious noise, but would it damage anything?

Im thinking about taking it to my local e30 shop tomorrow morning to find out exactly whats going on. I might just have him help me remove the belt if need be.

[Eddie Haskell]

The Valvoline Stop Leak as described will usually work. It takes a few days to do its Zulu Witchdocktor action. Use a turkeybaster and draw the fluid down. Pour it in and drive it. Keep adding more if it pukes. Eventually it will swell your crapped seal. Have used the Valvvoline twice on seperate E30's and going on 15k miles with the magic fluid. No leaks.

[spike68]

The Valvoline Stop Leak as described will usually work. It takes a few days to do its Zulu Witchdocktor action. Use a turkeybaster and draw the fluid down. Pour it in and drive it. Keep adding more if it pukes. Eventually it will swell your crapped seal. Have used the Valvvoline twice on seperate E30's and going on 15k miles with the magic fluid. No leaks.

I think thats what i will have to do for now.
Did you mix it with regular ATF fluid? or did you just pour the whole thing in on its own?

If it still dosent work i will have to delete power steering for now.

[Eddie Haskell]

Draw it down to the bottom of resevouir. There will still be plenty of ATF in pump hoses and rack. Fill it with Valvoline Stop Leak JuJu fluid. It will still puke for a few days. Keep adding Valvoline to top off. I bought a rebuild e36 from the rackdockter for replacement. Been sitting on the shelf for 2 years. I tried the other brands of stop leak. Didnt work. The Valvoline works. At least in my instances.

[spike68]

Draw it down to the bottom of resevouir. There will still be plenty of ATF in pump hoses and rack. Fill it with Valvoline Stop Leak JuJu fluid. It will still puke for a few days. Keep adding Valvoline to top off. I bought a rebuild e36 from the rackdockter for replacement. Been sitting on the shelf for 2 years. I tried the other brands of stop leak. Didnt work. The Valvoline works. At least in my instances.

Will do! Im gonna go buy an other bottle tomorrow just in case.
Thanks for the input! made me feel much better.

[spike68]

Alright so i got impatient.
I took it to my local e30 shop and they said the seals were definitely blown.
I had a feeling the stop leak stuff wouldnt work cause it was literally puking fluid. All my fluid would be gone in under 15 minutes of driving.

So i decided to just cut the belt and run with no power steering for now.
Ill get it fixed after i get some moneyz.

[george graves]

That's how my rack was - I'd get 6 mile out of a can of cheap ATF - I was buying a bottle just to get to work, then one on the way home. (who knows, maybe you got a tear in your seals)

I used the leak stop and then ran the same rack for about 5 years - it never leaked a drop - eventually I swapped it out for a e36 m3 rack (2nd best mod to date)

I'm not sure what the secret is, I do remember using 2 bottles of it, and having to keep putting it in - after a day or two, the leak just stopped. I was amazed

It's some kind of voodoo fluid.

What I learned is that there are big differences in ATF - the stuff they sell at the gas-n-sip is really thin and useless. Have you been putting in the cheap stuff? It might take longer for the leak stop to work.

[jaywood]

That's how my rack was - I'd get 6 mile out of a can of cheap ATF - I was buying a bottle just to get to work, then one on the way home. (who knows, maybe you got a tear in your seals)

I used the leak stop and then ran the same rack for about 5 years - it never leaked a drop - eventually I swapped it out for a e36 m3 rack (2nd best mod to date)

I'm not sure what the secret is, I do remember using 2 bottles of it, and having to keep putting it in - after a day or two, the leak just stopped. I was amazed

It's some kind of voodoo fluid.

What I learned is that there are big differences in ATF - the stuff they sell at the gas-n-sip is really thin and useless. Have you been putting in the cheap stuff? It might take longer for the leak stop to work.

What brand leak stop did you use?

[Eddie Haskell]

P/S Witchdoctor fluid...

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/maxlife/automatic-transmission-fluid-with-stop-leak/38