leaking steering fluid, please help

[Keith Harrer]

i am leaking fluid from under the truck. its coming from the drivers side. there is a metal tube that runs from the bar that pushes and pullls the wheel when you turn it is disconnected on both sides, but its bone dry, there is a plastic piece on each that i can tell this tube plugs into i will reconnect, but i dont think the leak is coming from there. these plastic (spring-like) pieces looked to be attatched by only zip-ties, or were at one time if i turn the wheel all the way to the left a can pull it back, the leak is coming from in there. i cant imagine plugging in this tube and putting new zipties on will fix my problem... mayb. Please help!!! ill go take some pics and post them here momentarily



oops, need to resize pics...

 

[Aaron Yarbough]

It sounds like the rack and pinion gearbox unit is leaking. More than likely you will have to have it replaced (or do it yourself).

 

[Keith Harrer]

where tube connects...

[Broken External Image]:



the tube...

[Broken External Image]:



where i think its leaking from...

[Broken External Image]:

 

[Scott Tanner]

I have good luck with simply flushing out and changing the fluid w/ new.... often a particle of junk gets lodged inthe seal area... worked for me..

 

[EddieS'04]

The tube on the rubber bellows is an air vent, for when the steering turns. It is so the air pressure doesnt bloe the bellows off. The fliud is leaking from the rack seals. It will need a new rack and pinion. Most of the time the shaft gets scared and new seals wont last long.

 

[Keith Harrer]

from the looks of the tube i think its been disconnected for quite some time (has some rust on the tips where it would have been sealed). everything seems so close quartered in there, i do have shop manuals but would replacing the rack and pinion be difficult?

 

[EddieS'04]

I havent really paid attention to the tracs, location. If your handy with tools, it can be done. Take a good look at the tube connections and their location. Make sure you have the wrenchs for them. Those sometimes are the biggest headache. Ecpecialy if they winter salt your roads.