Steering rack and pinion

[Neejay]

How do I know I need a whole new rack and pinion vs. just a seal kit?

I can see fluid where the steering shaft meets the rack/pinion and I've had a slow leak for a while. Now I'm starting to see fluid drips.

[zeromechanic]

i been having a similar problem, steering becomes tite when making a tite turn like 90 degrees, steering wheel grabs and hesitates then becomes ok again idk what it is think it might be the steering rack, are you having the same problem?

[az_240]

Rack and pinion kits are hard to install correctly from what I've heard. I'd just buy a rack that doesnt leak or get a specialty shop to rebuild it (I was quoted $130 to have a HICAS rack rebuilt once)

Most of these old racks leak at least a small amount tho... a few drips here and there are no big deal. When you have to keep refilling the resevoir is when it's a good time to consider replacing.