It looks like my car may have a P/S fluid leak.
Is there any usual spot these cars leak from?
And does this usually mean a rack recondition?

I noticed on my TF that it's leaking from the input shaft on the steering rack. I'm thinking the o ring needs replacing.

I noticed on my TF that it's leaking from the input shaft on the steering rack. I'm thinking the o ring needs replacing.

Input shaft leaks are the most common. Bit more to it than replacing an "O" ring. Usually it is wear on the bushes (bearings?) at that point.
They all leak when they age, just keep the fluid topped up.

(Mal said something about it being dangerous, but I can't remember the details.)

How expensive is the fix?
ie, does the rack need to come out?

How expensive is the fix?
ie, does the rack need to come out?

Last price I saw was $250 for an exchange rack.
Needs to come off the car, whether recon or exchanging it, yes.

Should we assume you see its coming from around the rack? I dont know about usual leaks on our cars, but high pressure hoses are are common culprits on cars in general. Have you taken a look yourself? Are either of your boots wet?

I did not have a look, but there is a clearish oil left dripping on the ground and Pedders told me I have a PS leak when they checked

Put a tl rack you will be amazed at the difference

How much of a difference is there?
Is it just a bit heavier?

the rack on my TW has been leaking for years. The quotes for fixing it are around $7-800, so I keep it topped up.

Interesting, i just finished going over my work on the transmission and driveshafts for leaks and as I was looking, just noticed the smallest amount of weeping at my input (pinion valve assembly) Looks like 4 seal rings and an upper seal. Might even be possible to do that in car. there should be seal kits available. If it was coming out of the rackends I'd be thinking rack out and exchange.

I've had a couple of leaks in cars ranging from a hardened hose that would not clamp, an o-ring on a joint and an o-ring under a reservoir. Sometimes it can look a major job and end up being someting cheap and simple. had some success with nulon stop leak which gave me another 12 months on a subaru. cleaned it up next time it failed and detected the leak round the tank, and a single o-ring

little heavier in the steering but much more accurate less play ...It feels more "planted".

Wombatkarl, the suspension geometry is all the same though, so what would be causing this difference?

Wombatkarl, the suspension geometry is all the same though, so what would be causing this difference?

Different valving in the rack to decrease the lighter feel of earlier models and a more weighted response. I believe the power steering pump also saw revisions.