Steering Rack Leak?

Well we don't call them "STEALERSHIPS" for no reason. Find a trusted mechanic or import shop and have them check the PS. Also, have you ever changed the PS Fluid, I'm guessing if not it looked pretty bad and they may have just started throwing stuff against the wall to see what would "STICK". Honda has no "Schedule" nothing on the MM System for the PS Fluid.
They make next to nothing for Recall Work.

Carsmak said:

Well we don't call them "STEALERSHIPS" for no reason. Find a trusted mechanic or import shop and have them check the PS. Also, have you ever changed the PS Fluid, I'm guessing if not it looked pretty bad and they may have just started throwing stuff against the wall to see what would "STICK". Honda has no "Schedule" nothing on the MM System for the PS Fluid.
They make next to nothing for Recall Work.

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Thanks. yeah once I got the truck last year I replaced the power steering fluid and reservoir. I check the reservoir pretty regularly and have not noticed any leaks down below or from the reservoir. I was pretty unhappy with this dealership honestly. I took my wife's pilot in and was told I needed a 150 dollar power steering fluid change. I changed the fluid two weeks earlier. :act064: I know I have to do the timing belt soon but having to replace the whole steering rack was not what I was planning on.

Mine was leaking a bit - I could see a bit on one of the rubber bellows, the fluid level was OK, I guess a little goes a long way. My major issue was it seemed to cause a creaking sound when turning the wheel.

Got the rack replaced with a reman. which started leaking within a week,this time it was leaking so bad that within a couple of days the power steering pump started making noise because the fluid was so low. Shop replaced the rack under warranty, all seems good so far. One tip if you get the rack replaced look into the stabilizer bar bushings, as having this done at the same time saved me quite a bit in labour costs for the stabilizer bushings( about 4-5 hours of labour difference).

Jbthompson said:

Hi everyone! I have 110k miles on my 2009 RT. While having the airbag replaced, my dealer told me my steering rack was leaking. I have never noticed a leak. Is there a way to tell? I am not losing any power steering fluid and I am skeptical honestly. The air bag replacement and an oil change turned into my truck needing 5k in work and I'm rolling my eyes a bit.

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Bill52 said:

Mine was leaking a bit - I could see a bit on one of the rubber bellows, the fluid level was OK, I guess a little goes a long way. My major issue was it seemed to cause a creaking sound when turning the wheel.

Got the rack replaced with a reman. which started leaking within a week,this time it was leaking so bad that within a couple of days the power steering pump started making noise because the fluid was so low. Shop replaced the rack under warranty, all seems good so far. One tip if you get the rack replaced look into the stabilizer bar bushings, as having this done at the same time saved me quite a bit in labour costs for the stabilizer bushings( about 4-5 hours of labour difference).

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Interesting. I will get underneath and check it out. I am hearing no noises or having any issues.

Jbthompson said:

Interesting. I will get underneath and check it out. I am hearing no noises or having any issues.

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Mine seeps from the the "snout" where the steering shaft comes in. But never makes it to the ground cause only when it is under pressure. When driving etc. But its only a seep. But it is wet everywhere underneath and fluid drops maybe 1/4 in every 6 mths.

And as far as the pilot goes and the p/s fluid...they go off history 99% of the time. So if they do not show any change in the history they will recommend it. They dont test the fluid and 99% of the time the fluid is just as dark as it was in 1k miles or so after changing it so it looks dirty to them but truly is not that bad.

S.T.U.V said:

Mine seeps from the the "snout" where the steering shaft comes in. But never makes it to the ground cause only when it is under pressure. When driving etc. But its only a seep. But it is wet everywhere underneath and fluid drops maybe 1/4 in every 6 mths.

And as far as the pilot goes and the p/s fluid...they go off history 99% of the time. So if they do not show any change in the history they will recommend it. They dont test the fluid and 99% of the time the fluid is just as dark as it was in 1k miles or so after changing it so it looks dirty to them but truly is not that bad.

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With a seep do you think it's something to worry about?

Don't know how long mine was leaking for , but the real issue was when I started getting the creaking noise I mentioned. It was quite noticable and worse when warm. As I said when the seal on the reman rack went it was below the low line in a few days.


It's definitly a pricey fix I was quoted around 7 hours labour to replace the rack plus parts.The honda rack was 1100$ canadian the reman. was 350$ then add the tie rod ends and the control arms with a wheel alignment and flush of the power steering fluid it was $2200 canadian at a local shop, honda wanted $2400 with less work(no flush or alignment).

Jbthompson said:

With a seep do you think it's something to worry about?

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Jbthompson said:

With a seep do you think it's something to worry about?

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IMHO, NO.

But until you establish how much fluid is being lost, and so on, you will be the only one who can determine that. If it was me, I'd check it, weekly, then monthly and then just keep moving the time line out. Then get real familiar with how full it is each time you check it (in the same parking spot, wheels always straight, on level ground, either hot or cold) the longer you can go without having to add PS Fluid, the less likely I'd be to getting it fixed

Jbthompson said:

With a seep do you think it's something to worry about?

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I second what carsmak said. I just check mine every couple weeks and top off. If you let it get low then you will get creaking and wining (air in the system). The leak does not make it to the ground yet so im ok with a mess underneath. Pressure washer and degreaser works wonders.

Squeeze the dust bellows covering the inner tire-rod to see if either one is full of fluid. If the seal(s) is/are leaking, there are power-steering "conditioners" made by BG and other companies that are supposed to soften and "rejuvenate" the seals in the rack, if you aren't up to replacing the rack. I have never used them, but BG does make very good products.