leaking PS rack.... is lucas the answer?

[carpetguy00]

My 97 Camry has had a slow PS fluid leak since I bought it almost a year ago. I have had other things to do to it, so it was low on my priority list. I got new tires and an alignment yesterday, I asked them to see if they could find the leak. I was hoping it was a hose, but they said the steering rack is leaking. Of course! My steering is not hard or anything, its quiet, even and smooth. So I was wondering if the Lucas for PS systems is any good. A friend said it nearly stopped a leak on his rack (Rav4)..... I cant imagine it doing any damage....

I gotta wonder why it is leaking after only 117k miles.

Also, i drained/refilled my trans recently. If i pop the drain plug, I only get 1.5 qt of ATF. Seems the pan should hold more?

[Mister_Perkins]

The Lucas will work, but its a temporary fix. After running that in it, you should look into replacing or repairing the rack.

As far as the transmission, on the A140E Drain / Refill should be 2.6 US Quarts

[ajkalian]

If it were me I wouldn't do anything until I paid a visit to my local self service car wash armed with a can of engine de-greaser and spray everything in that area with de-greaser, and hose it off until everything in the rack, power steering pump and all the hoses got squeaky clean.

Then get a piece of cardboard, or an old box. Autozone has a dumpster full of old boxes. Put the flattened cardboard under you car when you park it for the night. Then next morning will tell the tale. Pull out the cardboard and note where the leaks are coming from. Then confirm the location by looking at the rack, the power steering pump, and pay close attention to the hoses.

Often times the spring clips need to be replaced with a stainless steel worm drive clamps. Or you might need a new power steering hose, or both. The hose is kinda pricey, the clamp is cheap.

If you find it's still leaking from the rack, and nowhere else, then consider the other options.

On the oil in the transmission pan. There should be 3 quarts maybe a little less. Your owners manual will tell you for sure. There are many threads here on drain and fill of transmission fluid, capacity, and many useful tips as well.

.

[JohnGD]

It's considered a temporary fix, but can be temporary for years.

Have you regularly change the PS fluid? Or at least siphon out the ATF in the reservoir and refill with new fluid? This will help get rid of the wear particles in the system.

[carpetguy00]

When I bought the car at 92k, I changed the PS flud with Valvoline Dex in the red jug. I believe its a syn blend. I used the DIY found on this site to do it. I plan on changing over to Royal Purple in the trans in a couple months (using the same stuff there).... Of course, Ive done oil changes, new struts, brakes, air filter, plugs (NGK), wires, valve cover gasket, etc. Cleaned the TB also. This car runs amazingly smooth, better than any domestic Ive ever owned. (Im going to try and trade off my F150 for a Tacoma at tax time...)

I will take it to the carwash with the degreaser as suggested to see if I can pin the leak down. Maybe I'll get lucky and not have to sacrifice my first born for a new rack. LOL. What should I avoid in the engine bay with the hose? cover the alt, fuse box. What else?

As far as the trans fluid, I agree there should have been more. When I topped it off, it was closer to 2 qts, but no where near the 2.6 qts TN says should drain out. At 92k I pulled the pan, changed gasket/filter, filled it up and drained it 3x. Now at 117k it seemed to be shifting a little harder lately, thats what prompted the recent fluid drain. The drain fluid wasnt bad, red but not pink, but the shifts did seem to smooth out some.