86 Wagon - leaking power steering - help please

[trk]

Hi,
I own a 1986 DL1800 Wagon (since new) that has travelled 190,000 kilometres.

The power steering fluid had been leaking slightly for a while but was very
easily managed with the occasional top up of fluid.

I recently used a product through the power steering that "guaranteed to fix
any seal leaks". It seemed to work ok for about a month then the leaking
became worse (now quite serious). Not sure if it was as a result of using
the additive or just a deterioration of the original problem..

I would appreciate any advice on what type of problem to look for, seals,
bearings etc, and also, is working on, or replacing a power steering unit,
something that I could tackle myself in the home workshop

Thanks in advance

Trevor

 

[Kurt C. Hack]

Don't know about your car, but I usually find the rack & pinion is shot
when I start going through power steering fluid. The leak stopper won't
help since the leak is too big, and may cause pump problems too. As
such, when you replace the rack or whatever part, I would get that stuff
out of there.

-Kurt

 

[johninKY]

I'm guessing when you stated the system has a leak that it is leaking at
the rack and not at the pump. To my knowledge any GL/XT/Loyale rack from
85 to 94 will interchange if you decide to replace the rack with used.
Rebuilt rack aren't that expensive. Replacing the rack is also very
simple. As I recall, 4 bolts hold the rack, one steering shaft bolt, and
two fittings. Will need a special tool to separate the tie rod ends.
Good idea to just replace the original with new stuff. Measure how far
the tie rod ends are threaded onto the shaft. Helps with alignment
problems. The rack will also have to be "centered" when installed. Just
count the number of turns it takes for the rack to travel its full
distance, divide by 2 and that's the center.