Steering Gear Boot/Power Steering Fluid

INFORMATION Integra Help
1

Gentlemen (and Ladies),

My driver’s side steering gear boot (the boot on the inner side of the tie rod) has a small tear in it and is leaking power steering fluid. Now the fluid is not all that much, for the level in the engine container hasn’t moved significantly.

Is this something that I should be worried about (I mean other than just taping the slight tear up)? I just had my CV axle replaced and I suspect the mechanic might have inadvertantly (or on purpose) damaged the steering gear boot.

In any event, it shouldn’t be holding any power steering fluid anyhow, so what could be the problem(s)? Will I lose control of the vehicle while traveling 60 mph, in other words, is it safe to drive the way it is? I haven’t noticed any problems with the steering so without this tear, I would not have noticed anything.

Any guesses on costs to repair? If it is just the boot, I don’t think it is a problem (according to Haynes/Helms), but if it is not…

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

2

I just found a post from “integralife” who said that the seal instide the steering rack usually shrinks and starts to leak… if the leak is small you can stop it by adding two or three little capfuls of brake fluid… the brake fluid causes the seal to expand and stop the leak.

What do you think?

Thanks.

3

I’d say a better fix would be to replace the seal…

Brake fluid’s something I like to keep in my brake lines…

Maybe it works, but I wouldn’t do it.

4

Any idea how to replace the seal?

I’ll check Helms…

Thanks.