Power Steering rack is TOAST!?!?!

Mustangbelle306 · 03-26-2002, 04:13 PM

This is unbelievable. Next big repair, enter stage right.

So now the seals on the rack are dry rotted, which probably explains the fluid gushing from the passenger side dust boot. A new power rack is a tad under $400. How much would it cost me to switch to manual? I saw a Flaming River rack for $419...does this include all the parts needed for the swap?

I am so bummed...I don't really have the money for this...can I just keep adding fluid until I can afford the new rack?

84LX89GT · 03-26-2002, 04:42 PM

You could add fluid until you could afford one, but that's not "environmentally friendly", or whatever they say. I think running it dry would hurt the PS pump but you could temporarily buy a shorter belt and run everything except for the PS pump and have "manual steering". I don't see how that would hurt anything except for the already shot rack. That sucks, i can't believe a new rack is that much....

Mustangbelle306 · 03-26-2002, 05:14 PM

You're telling me!

That's the rack and pinion and outer tie rod ends. The Flaming River manual kit is $599, and the replacement power R/P including all installation hardware is $474. The cheap repro kit is $389. If I'm going to go ahead and do this, I'm going to appease myself and upgrade to the Flaming River rack, but for now the Mustang is going to have to come off the road

and just at the start of summer too

Mr 5 0 · 03-26-2002, 05:37 PM

If it's just a leaky boot with no other internal damage, I would check with the local parts stores, as I believe you can buy a replacement boot kit for under $50. Worth checking out before you buy a new rack or pull the car off the road.

Tony Frank · 03-26-2002, 06:19 PM

MUSTANGBELLE like we discussed earlier i can look up one for you, but let me know if its the boot kit like mr.5.0 said or if it is the whole thing....... i will try my best for prices.

NewAge 5.0 · 03-27-2002, 08:50 AM

Ditch the pump.. cut the lines.. You dont need power steering

I have a 88 hatch thats gotta Full Spool in it and No Power Steering.. its not that bad. saves weight off the front end too. I do run skinnys on the front though so if you have Cobra R's your gonna hate life hehe

Mustangbelle306 · 03-27-2002, 09:26 AM

ahahaha cut the lines

Its not the the pump, the seals in the rack are dry rotted, and its not the boot, I wouldn't jump to a conclusion like that just from a leak. She's already at the shop, and if they're lying...well I've got bigger problems because they do all my **** that I can't do (which lately is alot!

)

Well, I decided that this summer MODS are my priority

so I'm going with a used rack, and if it goes next year, so be it. THEN I'll do my manual Flaming River, but this minute money is just too tight. Thanks for all the advice!

Belle

Mustang_289 · 03-27-2002, 04:44 PM

I had the same problem with seals spent and fluid leaking out. I got a new rack - Performance parts for $100.

Mustangbelle306 · 03-27-2002, 05:45 PM

Yes I purchased a used rack for $95 from Autozone, and I'm having it installed as we speak. Installation wasn't cheap, but I don't have a place to do it, don't know how, and don't have the correct tools.

Certainly don't need another H pipe incident

joe4speed · 03-28-2002, 02:55 AM

You can keep adding fluid... I did this for almost a year when I first got this car, then I got a Moog rack for it and it was fairly easy to install!

03-26-2002, 04:13 PM	#1
Mustangbelle306 Yay for Chickys Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,532	Power Steering rack is TOAST!?!?! This is unbelievable. Next big repair, enter stage right. So now the seals on the rack are dry rotted, which probably explains the fluid gushing from the passenger side dust boot. A new power rack is a tad under $400. How much would it cost me to switch to manual? I saw a Flaming River rack for $419...does this include all the parts needed for the swap? I am so bummed...I don't really have the money for this...can I just keep adding fluid until I can afford the new rack?

03-26-2002, 04:42 PM	#2
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	You could add fluid until you could afford one, but that's not "environmentally friendly", or whatever they say. I think running it dry would hurt the PS pump but you could temporarily buy a shorter belt and run everything except for the PS pump and have "manual steering". I don't see how that would hurt anything except for the already shot rack. That sucks, i can't believe a new rack is that much.... __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

03-26-2002, 05:37 PM	#4
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Leaky boot If it's just a leaky boot with no other internal damage, I would check with the local parts stores, as I believe you can buy a replacement boot kit for under $50. Worth checking out before you buy a new rack or pull the car off the road.

03-26-2002, 06:19 PM	#5
Tony Frank Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Brooklyn originally, but Grand Rapids now Posts: 309	MUSTANGBELLE like we discussed earlier i can look up one for you, but let me know if its the boot kit like mr.5.0 said or if it is the whole thing....... i will try my best for prices. __________________ Grand Valley State University Senior Accounting and Finance Major 1985 Mustang GT 19,000 ORIGINAL miles, E-303 cam, edelbrock performer RPM intake, holley 600 cfm carb, MAC headers, windage tray, 8.8 rear end with 4.10 gears, 4"cowl hood, 5lug conversion, 04 Mach1 wheels. http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?1501

03-27-2002, 08:50 AM	#6
NewAge 5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Sanford NC USA Posts: 155	Ditch the pump.. cut the lines.. You dont need power steering I have a 88 hatch thats gotta Full Spool in it and No Power Steering.. its not that bad. saves weight off the front end too. I do run skinnys on the front though so if you have Cobra R's your gonna hate life hehe __________________ 88 Hatch 10.60's @ 130 89 Hatch Not as fast but holds its own

03-26-2002, 05:14 PM	#3
Mustangbelle306 Yay for Chickys Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,532	You're telling me! That's the rack and pinion and outer tie rod ends. The Flaming River manual kit is $599, and the replacement power R/P including all installation hardware is $474. The cheap repro kit is $389. If I'm going to go ahead and do this, I'm going to appease myself and upgrade to the Flaming River rack, but for now the Mustang is going to have to come off the road and just at the start of summer too

03-27-2002, 09:26 AM	#7
Mustangbelle306 Yay for Chickys Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,532	ahahaha cut the lines Its not the the pump, the seals in the rack are dry rotted, and its not the boot, I wouldn't jump to a conclusion like that just from a leak. She's already at the shop, and if they're lying...well I've got bigger problems because they do all my **** that I can't do (which lately is alot! ) Well, I decided that this summer MODS are my priority so I'm going with a used rack, and if it goes next year, so be it. THEN I'll do my manual Flaming River, but this minute money is just too tight. Thanks for all the advice! Belle

03-27-2002, 04:44 PM	#8
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	I had the same problem with seals spent and fluid leaking out. I got a new rack - Performance parts for $100.

03-27-2002, 05:45 PM	#9
Mustangbelle306 Yay for Chickys Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 1,532	Yes I purchased a used rack for $95 from Autozone, and I'm having it installed as we speak. Installation wasn't cheap, but I don't have a place to do it, don't know how, and don't have the correct tools. Certainly don't need another H pipe incident

03-28-2002, 02:55 AM	#10
joe4speed He said Member...heh, heh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Jupiter, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 3,718	You can keep adding fluid... I did this for almost a year when I first got this car, then I got a Moog rack for it and it was fairly easy to install! __________________ *Joe!* 1988 GT, 13.58@101mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:www.joe4speed.com

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