I would like some advice

[DevonBugaj]

Hi I own a 1998 explorer Xlt with the 5.0 V8 and im losing power steering fluid at first i thought it was the pump because it was whining everytime i turned the wheel but the only fluid i can find is on the bottom driverside control arm i have cleaned it but i cant seem to see the source of the leak i would be very appreciative if someone could point me in the right direction or give me the next step because im at a lost

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome, and check the steering rack bellows on each end. Those cover the inner TRE's to keep dust out of the rack seal area. If a rack leaks out of either seal, the fluid will be inside those flexible bellows, and the tube between them will allow the fluid to spread and accumulate. Those are sealed fairly well, so you could lose a lot of PS fluid into them before it is forced out. Just squeeze each bellows a bit and see if it feels like there is any fluid inside, there should be none.

 

[DevonBugaj]

Welcome, and check the steering rack bellows on each end. Those cover the inner TRE's to keep dust out of the rack seal area. If a rack leaks out of either seal, the fluid will be inside those flexible bellows, and the tube between them will allow the fluid to spread and accumulate. Those are sealed fairly well, so you could lose a lot of PS fluid into them before it is forced out. Just squeeze each bellows a bit and see if it feels like there is any fluid inside, there should be none.

thanks its leaking out of the driver side of the steering rack and second question are there seals i can buy to replace the bad seal or do i need a whole new steering rack

 

[CDW6212R]

Almost no one every rebuilds one or attempts to change seals. People buy a remanufactured rack basically.

 

[DevonBugaj]

Almost no one every rebuilds one or attempts to change seals. People buy a remanufactured rack basically.

do they sell them though because i do all my own work and money is kind of an issue right now and i would like to fix this asap

 

[donalds]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5574912417&icep_item=161619350300

Bad idea imo

 

[J_C]

I wouldn't hesitate to rebuild one if the situation was right, but I wouldn't know until I got it off, examined for rusted lines and saw whether there was scoring inside. Sometimes lines are obtainable and sometimes need fabricated. If you can suffer the downtime then you can do that, then decide whether to order a seal kit, maybe lines too, or get a whole rack. By the time you get a seal kit, lines, and bellows (accordion boots) you're probably going to be 80% of the way towards the cost of a reman rack.

 

[CDW6212R]

You could save a lot by doing some of the rebuild steps, and the kits won't be very expensive. I doubt all of it is easy to install, but the two outer end seals may be all you have to have. So that may be a good option if you can R&R those seals. I might buy a kit to get the Teflon sealing rings and the slick OEM type bellows clamps, plus the odd extras.