Steering Leak

[sperold]

After storing the 95 for the winter, when I started it up, it has a power steering leak.
I did my best to diagnose it, but I did not get far. I crawled under the car to see fluid dripping from one of the formed lines very near the drivers side front wheel. That is where it is dripping onto the ground but I can't see where the actual leak is. It is a pretty big leak as it will empty the reservoir in a few minutes. And what hits the ground is very foamy.
Anyone have any experience with this situation?
I see I can buy a new rack, a pressure line, and a return line. I would like to narrow it down a little.
I think the formed lines that I can see are part of the rack assembly. If it turns out to be the problem, can they be bought separately from the rack. Just asking to cover all the bases.
Any suggestions on what to buy, or how to more correctly diagnose this myself.
Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[sperold]

I have pretty well figured out it is the line on the rack assembly that goes from the "column head" to the closest port on the rack casting.

How difficult is the rack removal. Are there any tricks or advice on getting one out and another one in. Do you attack it from the inner fender?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Blackdr16]

Its fun to say the least. Its really not terrible, I changed mine when I was doing a tranny removal out the side, so my subframe was partially dropped. That said, I would think youlll have to at least drop the drivers side of the subframe a few inches and loosen the subframe bolts on the passenger side to drop it for enough clearence. It was pretty easy once you break the 2 main bolts on the rack free.

 

[jelloslug]

I have pretty well figured out it is the line on the rack assembly that goes from the "column head" to the closest port on the rack casting.

How difficult is the rack removal. Are there any tricks or advice on getting one out and another one in. Do you attack it from the inner fender?

Thanks in advance.

If you just lower the subframe don't forget to unhook your DIS. It will get caught on your strut tower if you don't.

 

[93rev2sev]

Is it a manual trans car or automatic?

 

[sperold]

Manual Transmission.
And the nice thing about that fact is....... we all know the manifold studs are new and the subframe bolts have been out lately.

 

[93rev2sev]

support the engine by the rear exhaust manifold only using your engine support gadget. (a ratchet strap from the gadget to the exhaust manifold and back will do, were not holding the whole weight of the engine).

Remove all engine mount to subframe nuts/bolts and lower the rear of the subframe by backing out the subframe bolts a little bit at a time on each side.

I use a 2x6 on a jack under the oilpan that spans to both sides of the subframe to keep control of the lowering of the subframe. You should see the subframe dropping faster than the engine by about 3 to 1 as you lower the jack.

The subframe will drop about 3-5 inches and the engine will drop maybe one inch (as the ratchet straps take tension). The rear engine mount to subframe bolt will come out of it's hole but not much further. The front engine mount will remain in contact with the subframe. No need to remove anything else from the subframe.

 

[sperold]

Thanks everyone, I have my confidence back.
My only question is why me? Who has a rack line rot out?
I have an 89, a 90 and a 95, and guess which one has the rusted line.
Thanks again.