Rack and Pinion; Lucas; Stiff Steering wheel

[Stick_man]

I noticed since it's gotten colder out -- my rack and steering make a really high, annoying whining noise.

The power steering fluid has been removed sometime last year with an e-vac pump, and subsequently replaced with a whole bottle of Lucas steering fluid. But nevertheless on really cold mornings -- the steering is really stiff and, there's whine that becomes intermittent as I turn the steering wheel back and forth.

Once warmed up--it turns fine, not stiff, and no noise. Is this a cause for concern?

 

[koda2000]

I assume you had a leak and that's why you installed the Lucas P/S Stop Leak, or did you just replace your p/s fluid with Lucas brand p/s fluid? In either case, the Lucas is too thick. Get it hot, drain it out and replace it with what's supposed to be in there, which is Mercon V ATF.

 

[Stick_man]

Leak awhile ago

 

[koda2000]

Leak awhile ago

Well, the stop-leak stuff is thick on a hot day. On a cold morning it's really thick. That's why the pump makes noise and the steering is stiff until it warms up.

I guess your choices are to live with it, or fix the leak and go back to using the recommended fluid.

 

[chefduane]

I guess your choices are to live with it, or fix the leak and go back to using the recommended fluid.

^ This.

..and if you live with it it's not going to get better with different fluid. I had a leaking rack and pinion and tried the 'fast fix fluid' stuff (NOT disparaging Lucas here, just saying that you gotta' address the problem with a real fix) and nothing worked. Got the R/P assy changed - which I did not do as I've read it's a real pisser to do - and everything was fine. Kinda' convoluted post but the bottom line is you'll probably need a new R/P sooner rather than later. Christmas is coming soon and maybe Santa has one his bag!

 

[Stick_man]

It's leaked when I bought the car 10+ years ago. It's been like this for years...

I guess I figure maybe it's time to do something abot it.

Maybe I should live and let live.

Spending any more money on this thing is a no go.

How about 1/2 a lucas and 1/2 regular?

THen when it gets warmer full lucas again.

THat sure beats putting money / a new rack into a 17 year old truck w 160k miles on it.

 

[Stick_man]

Lucas vac pumped out. Regular power steering fluid in. Nice and quiet now and I can actually turn the steering wheel

 

[chefduane]

Just keep checking for leaks. Also, listen for the whine while turning the wheel.
Hopefully you got lucky and won't need a new rack or pump!