Jaboden Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 So I've got a 97 legacy gt with what I'm assuming is a leaking power steering rack. I'm kinda strapped for cash at the moment so I'm going to look for a used one at the junkyard. Is this a bad idea? Is there anyway to visually check them to make sure I won't run into the same problem? And are the power steering racks from legacy outbacks the same as gts? Also if you have any tips for swapping them out that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, A dumbass who rallied his car too much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 used is a great solution. http://www.car-part.com sort by zip code to avoid shipping . if you ship, sort by price and look for a bargain. if the boots / bellows are not torn and are dry, you should be good. they do not fail very often. i'm kind of surprised to hear it is leaking. how oftwen do you have to add fluid? i would install new boots before you install the rack. unless they look newish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaboden Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 I don't have to add fluid that often. However the fluid caught fire the other night because its dripping directly onto the headers. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnegg Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 it may be that the fluid is coming from the top of the engine, not the rack. there is an o-ring in between the power steering pump and the fluid reservoir that leaks. it is an easy fix. is there fluid on top of the block near the pump? if you do not have to add fluid regularly, your rack is not leaking. it could be motor oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeNathan Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 i had a leak in the return line between the rubber hose and the metal hoses. It ran down the hose and ended up dripping on to the exhaust header as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaboden Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 it may be that the fluid is coming from the top of the engine, not the rack. there is an o-ring in between the power steering pump and the fluid reservoir that leaks. it is an easy fix. is there fluid on top of the block near the pump? if you do not have to add fluid regularly, your rack is not leaking. it could be motor oil. Its definitely not oil. I can tell by the smell. The area by the pump is dry so I don't think its that. Also on the passenger side the boot is split and if I pull it apart ATF drains out. I can't do that on the drivers side because the boot is gone. It makes sense that it would be the rack because of where the fluid is hitting the headers. I got one from a junkyard so I'll change it and see if it fixes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaboden Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 i had a leak in the return line between the rubber hose and the metal hoses. It ran down the hose and ended up dripping on to the exhaust header as well. Which side was the leak on? Its hitting the headers on the drivers side on mine and near as I can tell there aren't any lines it could be coming from that would hit them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeNathan Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 there's a pic in this thread of where the leak was at http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/power-steering-return-side-hose-leak-229887.html?t=229887&highlight=power+steering If it's on the driver side you're probably right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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