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no, if you have power steering fluid leaking into the boot it means your power steering piston/rod/cylinder has leaking seals.
replace the cylinder (what you attached the boots to) or rebuild the packing.
Not if it's the rack and pinion steering gear that is leaking. If those seals are gone, you would need a new or reconditioned rack and pinion. This is not a job for the average do it yourselfer, it is pretty involved.
To check the rack for leaks, you have to get under the car. Don't trust a jack to hold it up-use blocks or jackstands. Behind the engine on a cross mount, the rack will have tie rods coming out each end to the wheels. Peel back the rubber protective boots on the rack gear where the tie rods exit. If the rack is leaking, fluid will be evident under the boots, or maybe on only one end, but if that is your leak, you will need to replace it.
Usually, the CV boots on the rack and pinion. and sometimes the drive axles can go bad and they leak grease. Sometimes, they "explode" which means they rip or tear, and the only thing to do is replace the CV boot.
No, the power steering is entirely a separate and sealed system, wholly external to the engine. The power steering pump pushes the fluid through a high pressure hose into the rack and pinion-the steering gear mounted below and behind the engine-and holds pressure within the rack that enables power assisted steering. At the same end where the power steering fluid hose enters the gear will be a fitting for a return line back to the fluid reservoir. These two hoses are usually routed close together at least part of the way, some may even be held together with brackets. Leaks could develop at the pump, the fluid reservoir, or the two hoses to and from the rack and pinion, or the seals inside the rack and pinion may have failed. You should be able to find the leak-it will only leak to the outside-to check the rack and pinion for leaks, right where your tie rods come out of the gear and go to the wheels for steering, will be a small rubber boot encasing the tie rod and the end of the rack assembly-on both ends is a boot and a tie rod-peel back the rubber boot from the gear ass\'y, it should be dry. If a lot of fluid, the seals in the rack and pinion are gone. It will have to be replaced. Hopefully you will find a leaking hose or fractured reservoir, but keep looking, air flow may be blowing the leaking fluid back and under the car. Good luck, hope it\'s not the rack and pinion.
Hi Gunny, If your vehicle is fitted with rack and pinion steering also check the rack ends for play. The rack ends are the rods which the tie rod ends screw onto. The other end fits onto the rack of the rack and pinion. To work on those you will need to remove the rubber boots and loosen the locking washer, they can then be loosened with a wrench. If they are worn the play will be evident in the steering. When replacing them also replace the rubber boots. If the boots are worn and road grime and dust enters, you will see leakage from the rack and pinion in the near future. I always thought the Dakota was fitted with a steering box? Regards John
Hi, welcome to FixYa.com my name is Shawn and I will be answering your
question.
It is possible to rebuild power steering racks but most mechanics have not done it in years and some require special tools to perform the procedure. Industry standard is to replace the power steering rack assembly. If there is a fluid leak in the boot the rack needs to be replaced.
I hope my assistance helped you and resolved your
concern, if you need further assistance please ask.
No, the boot only keeps dust out of the inner tie rod joint--it is not intended to hold back fluid. The rack will have to be rebuilt with new seals. Sorry. :o(
Did you notice any leaks from the power steering? If you did not notice any leaks, the only place for the fluid to go is in the bellow boots(the accordion boots on the rack and pinion system). Go underneath and if no leaks are obvious, take a small screwdriver and poke a small hole in one of the boots. If fluid comes out, you're looking at replacing the rack and pinion. This would also explain the excessive play you're feeling in the steering.
aside from any obvious leaks from the hoses or fittings, or the pump. typically if you were to pull the rubber dust boots of the ends of the rack, any fluid inside the boot would indicate a bad rack. hope this helps.
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