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Rack and Pinion leaking

Tiny
PCULQUI
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK REGAL
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
When the rack is leaking a tiny bit or a lot, that's due to the fact that the power steering wheel fluid is probably black instead of red and needs to be flushed out and bled?
If the answer is yes to the above question, can the power steering fluid be flushed out, replaced and bled without replacing the Rack and Pinion or is it recommended to just replace the Rack first?
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 3:17 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,692 POSTS
Hello, if any seals are leaking, you are going to want to replace whatever parts are faulty. Changing the fluid won't fix anything. If you have the rack replaced the old fluid will have to be replaced anyway.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
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If there is a leak, replacing the steering wheel liquid, will that fix the whining sound and squeaking sound when turning the steering wheel to the right or left?
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 5:33 AM
Tiny
AL514
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Is the squeaking sound a belt type of noise? Or is it a metal type of sound? Ball joints can get squeaky as well when they age.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 5:46 AM
Tiny
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No, neither. It's like a whining type of a sound.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
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That could be the bearing in the power steering pump. Especially when turning due to higher stress on the pump.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
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So the Rack doesn't need replacing only if it's leaking?
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
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Let's say the steering wheel fluid is black and I just fill it with fresh power steering fluid, what would happen?
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 10:29 AM
Tiny
AL514
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It's best to drain it and replace all the fluid if it's that bad. Fluid doesn't cause leaks, bad worn out seals cause leaks.
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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
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  • 354 POSTS
Do you have a diagram as to where the power steering fluid reservoir is?
Also, how does the liquid turn black, when the fluid hasn't been changed in a certain amount of miles?
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Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
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The fluid breaks down and gets contaminated from everyday wear. The power steering reservoir is on the pump itself. Has a small black cap, the pump is driven by the main serpentine belt.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-works
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Thursday, December 5th, 2019 AT 4:11 PM

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