Leaking in a Few Places; Self-Repair?

Zandar · #1 01-13-2009, 10:10 AM

I have a leak in my transmission cooler line and in my steering racks (or so I am told by the repair shop). I was quoted around $100 for the tranny cooler line and around $870 for the steering racks.

My wife and I are very strapped for cash at the moment, so I'm wondering if these are repairs I can do myself. I'm not too horribly mechanically inclined, but I can do things like brakes and oil changes.

Any idea what this entails, and how complex it is? Thanks for any advice!

dcarrb · #2 01-13-2009, 10:52 AM

Assuming the transmission cooler line that's leaking is rubber hose and not hard line, that's cheap and easy. You can buy the cooler line by the foot at any auto parts place.

A reman steering rack is going to cost you $250-$350 just for the part, and you'll need an alignment after you're done. If it's not leaking badly and there's no play in the steering, you could probably postpone that while you save-up the money.

dcb

Wikedjuggalo · #3 01-13-2009, 11:33 AM

Make sure its really leaking. I had a shop inform me It was leaking and they couldnt do an alignment

but I decided not to take their word. I had leaking oil at the time. and a leaking transmission line. To my knowledge I do not have a leaking steering rack.

Zandar · #4 01-13-2009, 03:11 PM

I know for a fact that I have tranny fluid leaking (I have a pink mess on my garage mat), but not the steering rack. I do get a bit of shaking in the wheel at higher speeds (around 60+ if I'm turning; not in a straight line so much), but I also have a bad bearing.

I'll have to take a look under her and see if it's something I can isolate. I'll probably be back looking for help!

Thanks for the advice! I love to repair myself, but I'm quite the n008.

dcarrb · #5 01-14-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zandar

I do get a bit of shaking in the wheel at higher speeds (around 60+ if I'm turning; not in a straight line so much), but I also have a bad bearing.

I'd be more worried about a bad front wheel bearing than a a leaky steering rack.

dcb

1986nate · #6 01-14-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I'd be more worried about a bad front wheel bearing than a a leaky steering rack.

dcb

Agreed, Try some power steering stop leak stuff. Can't think of the brand but my mechanic put it in our Durango and its only dropped about 1/8 inch from full in 6+months and 8k+ miles.

Oh wait, will that stuff be alright in ours since ours use ATF and not actual power steering fluid???