2007 Pontiac G6 My Power Steering is leaking from my steeri

SOUTHSIDESMITH

MEMBER
2007 PONTIAC G6

Steering problem
2007 Pontiac G6 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 75.000 miles

My daughter has been saying that fluid is leaking and the steering is making noise. After cleaning the underside of all liquid I started the car and turned the wheel, steering fluid is coming our of a hole in the boot that is connected to the steering rack on the passanger side. Additionally, the power steering unit is noisy. The fluid was down about a 1/4". I added fluid before this test to find the leak. Question, is it normal for steering fluid to be in the steering rack boot? If not should I rebuild the seal and boot or just replace the whole thing? And should I replace the power steering unit now or wait till after the new rack is in? I have heard that in order to bleed the power steering system you must jack the car up with the wheels off the ground. Start the engine and make complete turns till the noise stops, watching the fluid all the times so it doesn't run dry. Is this correct?
Thank You, Michael

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

No it's not normal to have fluid in the rack boot I would just replace the whole rack and pion. As far as replacing the pump I would wait and see if the noise goes away after replacing the rack. The best way to start bleeding the air out after replacing the rack is to have the front wheel's off the ground then fill the pump then turn the wheel's with the engine off back and fourth while watching the fluid level. Then start the engine it will take less time to bleed the air out that way. Let me know if you need some help finding a good price on the part's.