I think I destroyed my Steering Rack

[MarshMarlowe]

I replaced inner tie rods on both sides today. I REALLY had to put a lot of effort into breaking free the inner tie rod mounts. I'm guessing that destroyed the rack. Maybe I was supposed to use a backup wrench. When I started the truck, what I'm pretty sure is power steering fluid sprayed forcefully all over the floor, the underside of the engine, even up onto the bottom of the open hood. It was dramatic

Is this for sure my power steering rack failing? Are the reman units on RockAuto worthwhile?

Thanks

 

[Geotrash]

I replaced inner tie rods on both sides today. I REALLY had to put a lot of effort into breaking free the inner tie rod mounts. I'm guessing that destroyed the rack. Maybe I was supposed to use a backup wrench. When I started the truck, what I'm pretty sure is power steering fluid sprayed forcefully all over the floor, the underside of the engine, even up onto the bottom of the open hood. It was dramatic

Is this for sure my power steering rack failing? Are the reman units on RockAuto worthwhile?

Thanks

Yikes! Yes, I just installed one from Rockauto and it’s fine so far.

 

[OR VietVet]

Looks and sounds *****.

 

[swathdiver]

Where is the fluid coming from?

 

[gooffeyguy]

Loosen up and slide the boots up on each side and see if there's a lot of fluid inside the boot. That'll let you know if it's coming from the rack ends

 

[MarshMarlowe]

Where is the fluid coming from?

Hard to say for sure as I didn't witness it. I will have to crawl back under the truck, but it's a big mess under there. I needed 3 bath towels to clean up all the fluid.

I noticed the boot on the driver's side is soaked, and the tie strap blew off that boot common to the rack. The clues I have point to the rack. I'll have to do more investigating. I went ahead and ordered a new rack from RockAuto as they only had one reman AC Delco unit in stock. See photos

 

[OR VietVet]

Hard to say for sure as I didn't witness it. I will have to crawl back under the truck, but it's a big mess under there. I needed 3 bath towels to clean up all the fluid.

I noticed the boot on the driver's side is soaked, and the tie strap blew off that boot common to the rack. The clues I have point to the rack. I'll have to do more investigating. I went ahead and ordered a new rack from RockAuto as they only had one reman AC Delco unit in stock. See photos

One good thing about those parts with fluid all over them, they will never rust.

 

[MarshMarlowe]

Well I feel like an idiot

The old oil filter gasket stuck around, and I installed the new filter on top of it

The 'fluid' that sprayed actually came from the oil filter.

Note- fresh oil smells and looks a lot like power steering fluid

Derp

 

[Fless]

Easy fix!

 

[MarshMarlowe]

Loosen up and slide the boots up on each side and see if there's a lot of fluid inside the boot. That'll let you know if it's coming from the rack ends

There was no fluid in the boot... For obvious reasons. Good tip. I was convinced it was the rack leaking before I checked the boot

 

[gooffeyguy]

Don't forget to cancel the RockAuto order

 

[MarshMarlowe]

Fingers crossed that they cancel it

 

[gooffeyguy]

Fingers crossed that they cancel it

I doubt they're open today anyway, so it probably isn't a problem

 

[OR VietVet]

Ordered and cancelled on same day, on a Sunday, should be no problem at all. Since they are a vendor here, please keep us in the loop on the cancellation progress.

 

[MarshMarlowe]

Ordered and cancelled on same day, on a Sunday, should be no problem at all. Since they are a vendor here, please keep us in the loop on the cancellation progress.

The order was successfully canceled

 

[lyncht1967]

great, crisis averted....live and learn...we've all done it or came close to doing it if we never got tips. my dad wasn't a car guy so i never got any..did the same thing when i was 17 on my toyota corolla..let loose in the driveway on start up...

 

[B-train]

Oops......You'll only do that once. Always check for the o-ring when dropping a filter. I know I can be easy tonight overlook with the mess, but it only takes a second and a quick feel

 

[Doubeleive]

lol I did that once about 35 years ago....
young, dumb, broke as a joke, drained the oil, changed the filter, filled it back up, started it up and went to go drive around the block, backed out of the driveway to see a giant puddle of oil. yep same thing old seal stayed on and got twisted up with the new one, what a freaking mess

 

[89Suburban]

Hard to say for sure as I didn't witness it. I will have to crawl back under the truck, but it's a big mess under there. I needed 3 bath towels to clean up all the fluid.

I noticed the boot on the driver's side is soaked, and the tie strap blew off that boot common to the rack. The clues I have point to the rack. I'll have to do more investigating. I went ahead and ordered a new rack from RockAuto as they only had one reman AC Delco unit in stock. See photos

Glad it was an easy fix. I envy you 2WD guys. I hate all the extra junk under my truck for the 4WD system with a passion. I never use it.