Losing power Steering Fluid - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

congers1 · 08-20-2009, 10:10 AM

The PS fluid in my reservoir all leaked out. I added ATF to fill it up and noticed it was slowly leaking in the left side bellows. After reading other past experiences with this issue on this forum I decided to siphon out the ATF and add a 12 oz bottle of Lucas power steering stop and hope for the best. Directions say it may take 2 bottles to work.

Does anyone know how much a Toyota dealer would charge for a steering rack replacement? I'm sure the dealer would charge a $$ premium for the rack.

***HATEnFATE*** · 08-21-2009, 08:36 AM

rack is $319
labor is $350 plus an alignment which can vary from $60-$90 depending on the dealer.

My rack is leaking on my 96 and So far I've just kept up on the fluid. Mine is also leaking out of the left side.

congers1 · 08-26-2009, 09:25 AM

Update on the Lucas power Steering Stop Leak. After a few days I bought a second bottle of Lucas and added about 4 oz to replenish the leak. Hope this improves and stops the leak. Would like to avoid the expensive cost of a steering rack replacement as HatenFate estimates to be $700-$800.

GOT BOOST · 08-26-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by congers1

The PS fluid in my reservoir all leaked out. I added ATF to fill it up and noticed it was slowly leaking in the left side bellows. After reading other past experiences with this issue on this forum I decided to siphon out the ATF and add a 12 oz bottle of Lucas power steering stop and hope for the best. Directions say it may take 2 bottles to work.

Does anyone know how much a Toyota dealer would charge for a steering rack replacement? I'm sure the dealer would charge a $$ premium for the rack.

I had the same issue with my 97 Avalon XLS a few years ago. However PS fluid was leaking out both bellows.

Your rack seals are pooched. You can get replacement seals and try to repair it, or you can get a reman rack.

I went with a reman rack for $99.00 from the Rack Doctor. In the end including duty and shipping to canada, plus shipping out the core I saved $300.00 from a local reman rack. I believe shipping in the states is free from them.

To give you an idea.. Dealer cost including my discount was $1800.00 CDN. Local Jobber was $580.00 CDN.

If you do it your self, watch out for the rear O2 sensor. It is in the way and difficult to work around. I pulled my rack from the drivers side, and it was fairly straight forward to do.

The reman rack comes with new tie rod ends. You will need to do a wheel alignment afterwards.

Make sure you get your measurements on the tie rod ends pretty close before you install it.

The whole job was about 4-5 hours to do.

congers1 · 10-02-2009, 09:08 PM

I can report after adding 2 bottles of Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak over a period of a month this has not stopped the leak. Lucas guarantee is not effective in my case. I continue to lose power steering fluid and wipe up the garage floor.

My local Toyota dealer quoted me $1100 for a rebuild steering rack, alignment and labor (assuming nothing else is bad). I don't think this includes new inner tie rods.

Lucas has a money back guarantee so I'll test them on that. I may have to replace the steering the rack.

kevdude · 10-03-2009, 06:16 PM

I got tired of wasting fluid and did my rack and pinion a few years ago. I bought a reman from my local Advance Auto parts for $142 with a $150 core charge. Well worth the time and money to do it yourself. Haven't had a problem since.

bobcrane · 10-20-2009, 09:21 AM

FYI: I tightened clamps on either side of the bellows and let them fill with ps fluid, then I topped off the reservoir.

My mechanic had a fit, but I figure, what could it hurt since the whole rack will have to be replaced when it goes.

I just hope they don't blow in my driveway, LoL.

congers1 · 10-21-2009, 06:02 PM

Unfortunately the bellows has a pin hole so I have an annoying leak. I place paper towels to collect the fluid under the bellows until I have the rack replaced. A local mechanic said he can replace for $465. Sure beats the dealer $1200 price. Hopefully the reman rack is good and the mechanic knows what he's doing.

I'll order and bring in the outer tie rods and new bellows for the install.

tonsulfu · 10-22-2009, 01:17 PM

If you're interested in sharing your development cost, let me know and we can talk more.

golfinator · 11-01-2009, 09:41 AM

'97 with 61k mi back in '02-replaced rack & pinion with a reblt from NAPA for $207.
Boot/belows had a small hole at 55k mi that kept growing. Felt this was too early for a failure on this component, but Toyota said sorry- not at fault.

stevehosun · 01-18-2010, 05:07 PM

Try P/S sealer. I had leaked out P/S rack ( 85000 miles/ 96 avalon)
Used P/S sealer for 3 month.... keep refill with P/S fluid with sealer.... slowly O-ring got swelled-up and does not leak so far. You need patience. I saved around $400 by not replacing rack.

***84Cressida*** · 01-18-2010, 05:35 PM

I had a power steering leak for a year and a half and tried every sealer you can find - none worked and the rack finally gave out last month. Cost $600 bucks total.