Catch 22

[JanGeo]

Get a clamp for the rack end and remove the old boot without wrecking it - check the seal and clean out the oil and put it back on - if it drips more then the seal is bad . . . also check for slop in the arm when it is abobut half way out and all the way out - that will tell you if the bushings are worn - if the bushing are worn then the seal will leak and replacing the seal will not help. Don't thik of it as a complicated thing - it is just a shaft sticking through a seal that keeps your car from flying off a cliff.

[Compaq888]

Well it was the seal and it blew hard. I would leave a lot of oil everywhere I drove.

Me and my gramps went to a junkyard this morning and got a complete rack&pinion from another 99' altima for $100.

I'm have it installed right now for $250 including a power steering flush.

I'm using the shop's computer.

[Compaq888]

car in the shop again. They are finishing the pinion and rack install, alignment and full brake job.

typing from shop computer.

[Matt Timion]

Originally Posted by Compaq888

car in the shop again. They are finishing the pinion and rack install, alignment and full brake job.

typing from shop computer.

Awesome... it will be nice when you're done... I bet the difference will be night and day.

BTW, your signature is cracking me up. NOS

[Compaq888]

Originally Posted by Matt Timion

Awesome... it will be nice when you're done... I bet the difference will be night and day.

BTW, your signature is cracking me up. NOS

The car actually drives good, except the fact it tries to go sideways. The alignment should get my numbers back up. At first my steering is stiff but it's now almost broken in. After they finish it should be all good.

[molecule]

i got a question...
if p/s fluid lubricates the rack
wtf do all the manual racks do for lubrication

here's a quality thread for removing p/s components to turn any power rack into a manual rack...
truth be known...all you really have to do is take the lines off the pump...done & done...
you dont even need to reseal the system or remove all the pins/springs
and even if you want to remove these parts...it can be done with THE RACK STILL ON THE CAR...
http://www.g2ic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88673&highlight=power+steering+re moval

[GasSavers_DaX]

Just keep adding fluid. It's what I'm doing with my 90 Civic except with engine oil. One day I'll get in there and put new rings in, but for now, 1 qt. per fillup isn't exactly breaking the bank.

[Compaq888]

Originally Posted by DaX

Just keep adding fluid. It's what I'm doing with my 90 Civic except with engine oil. One day I'll get in there and put new rings in, but for now, 1 qt. per fillup isn't exactly breaking the bank.

The pinion&rack has been fixed. The seal blew bad and I was leaking severly. I had to get another used R&P from a junkyard off the same exact car. I got it installed at a shop and so far the only difference is it's a little stiffer at freeway speeds than the original one.

[GasSavers_DaX]

Excellent then. I probably won't get to my fluid consumption problem until after the 5-speed and OBD-1/MPFI conversion, which probably means at least a year.

[JanGeo]

Compaq888 just a thought on the low mpg - you have an automatic but you should have some 85-90 weight gear oil in the differential - maybe you should check that and see what shape it is in.

The Rack should loosen up as you drive it a while - took a long trip in my Geo for the stiction to go away - the xB is starting to get better now also. Maybe changing the PS oil is going to help me more also.