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Disconnect the tie rod links to the rack & pinion steering gear, and hand test the front end.
You probably have a binding tie rod or ball joint in the front end. Remember too, the steering pump or the rack & pinion could be bad, creating this problem.
With everything unhooked, the problem should be easily evident.
God bless your efforts.
You aren't saying what engine is in it, or whether it is manual or power steering. Here is the R/R procedure for power steering rack for all engine sizes.
Except 2.2L and 1993-96 3.1L Engines
See Figure 1
Raise the intermediate shaft seal and remove intermediate shaft-to-stub shaft pinch bolt.
Remove the air cleaner and disconnect the pressure hoses from the steering gear.
Raise and support the vehicle on jackstands, then remove both front wheel and tire assemblies.
Remove the cotter pins and nuts from both tie rod ends. Using tool J-6627 or BT-7101, press the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle.
If equipped with an Air Management pipe, remove the bracket bolt from the crossmember.
Remove the 2 rear cradle mounting bolts and lower the rear of the cradle about 4-5 in. (102-127mm).
WARNING
If the rear of the cradle is lowered too far, the engine components nearest the cowl may be damaged.
If equipped, remove the rack and pinion heat shield.
Fig. Fig. 1: Power rack and pinion assembly
Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts, then the gear assembly through the left wheel opening.
To install:
Install the gear assembly through the left wheel opening and install the mounting bolts.
Install the heat shield.
Raise the rear of the cradle and install the mounting bolts.
Install the bracket bolt to the crossmember under the air management pipe.
Install the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles, install the retaining nuts and insert new cotter pins.
Install the front wheels and lower the vehicle.
Install the high pressure hoses to the steering gear and install the air cleaner.
Install the intermediate shaft seal and the intermediate shaft-to-stub shaft pinch bolt.
2.2L Engine
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Install an engine support fixture J-28467-A, or the equivalent.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
Disconnect the intermediate shaft from stub shaft.
CAUTION
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
Remove the exhaust pipe hanger bracket near rear of frame including the brake line retainer and rubber exhaust pipe hangers.
Remove the engine and transaxle mount nuts at the subframe.
Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.
Remove the rear subframe bolts and discard.
Lower the subframe for access to rack and pinion.
Do not lower the rear of the cradle too far, as damage to engine components nearest the cowl may result.
Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts from the outer tie rod ends and separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller.
Disconnect the power steering lines from the steering gear.
Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts.
Remove the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
To Install:
Install the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
Install the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts and tighten to 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
Connect the power steering lines to the rack using new O-rings and tighten the fittings to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm) on the return line and 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm) on the pressure line.
Install the power steering line clip to steering gear.
Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Tighten the castle nuts to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
Raise the subframe into position and install new frame mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
Remove the jack.
Install the engine mount and transaxle mount nuts and tighten to 39 ft. lbs. (53 Nm).
Install the exhaust pipe hanger bracket near the rear of frame including brake line retainer and rubber exhaust pipe hanger.
Connect the intermediate shaft to the stub shaft and tighten the pinch bolt to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
Install the tire and wheel assembly.
Lower the vehicle.
Remove the support fixture.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the system.
Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.
3.1L Engine (VIN M)
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Remove engine torque strut from engine.
Install an engine support fixture J-28467-A, or the equivalent.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts from the outer tie rod ends and separate the tie rod ends from the steering knuckles using a suitable puller.
Remove the center engine and rear transaxle mounts from the frame.
Remove the intermediate shaft lower pinch bolt.
Disconnect the intermediate shaft from stub shaft.
CAUTION
Failure to disconnect the intermediate shaft from the rack and pinion stub shaft can result in damage to the steering gear and/or intermediate shaft. This damage can cause loss of steering control which could result in personal injury.
Remove the brace bolts and brace, including brake line brace.
Support the rear of the subframe with jack stands.
Remove the rear subframe bolts and discard.
Lower the subframe for access to rack and pinion.
Remove the steering gear heat shield.
Remove the clip holding lines at rack assembly.
Disconnect the power steering lines and O-rings.
Remove the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts.
Remove the rack and pinion unit through the left wheel well.
To Install:
Install the rack and pinion through left wheel opening.
Install the rack and pinion mounting bolts and nuts and tighten the mounting bolts to 66 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
Connect the power steering lines to the rack using new O-rings and tighten the fittings to 13 ft. lbs. (17 Nm) on the return line and 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm). on the pressure line.
Install the power steering line clip to steering gear.
Install the steering gear heat shield.
Raise the subframe into position and install new frame mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 103 ft. lbs. (140 Nm).
Remove the jack.
Install the engine mount and transaxle mount nuts and tighten to 39 ft. lbs. (53 Nm).
Install the brace and bolts including brake line brace.
Connect the intermediate shaft to the stub shaft and tighten the pinch bolt to 29 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
Connect the tie rod ends to the steering knuckles. Tighten the castle nuts to 31 ft. lbs. (42 Nm). Install new cotter pins.
Install the tire and wheel assembly.
Lower the vehicle.
Remove the support fixture.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the system.
Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.
most likely it is one of two things. the O-rings on the end of the line has worn and all you have to do is remove the lines from power steering rack and put ne O-rings on. if your car uses a double flare nut style (like a brake line) then it is either the rack leaking or the actual hose leak. if it is the pressure hose you will generally see it spray. not so much on the return line. this requires replacing the part that is faulty
No, no, it just can't. Only power steering fluid goes in and out of the rack and pinion. Transmission fluid travels through the cooler lines (a supply and return line) to the radiator or a separate cooler in front of the radiator. Check again. Is it transmission fluid or power steering fluid? Transmission fluid may be leaking onto the rack and pinion.
if the rack and pinion was not leaking or causing problems. then he may of made a wrong move! if the rack was fine before, and you just lost power steering. then it is most likely the power steering pump or the lines that go from rack to the pump. good-day ! if a rack goes bad, you will get a bad steering problem or just bad steering.
RETURN TURN LINE GOES TO THE LEFT OF RACK PINION AND HIGH PRESSURE HOSE GOES TO THE RIGHT OF RACK PINION.LOOKING AT POWER STEERING PUMP HIGH PRESSURE HOSE THICK HOSE SCREWS INTO POWER STEERING PUMP.WHILE LOW PRESSURE HOSE HAS A HOSE WITH A CLAMP THE LOW PRESSURE HOSE HOOKS TO TOP OF POWER STEERING PUMP.LOW PRESSURE DONT SCREW INTO POWER STEERING PUMP IT IS HELD IN PLACE BY A HOSE SMALL CLAMP.
There are 2 lines that service the rack and pinion. One is the high pressure line from the output side of the power steering pump, and the other is the low pressure return line to the power steering pump.
Just determine if it's the output or return line and go to your local auto parts store.
It might not be a bad idea to also pick up a vehicle specific repair manual for precise instructions on how to bleed the lines, etc.
Shouldn't be any problem at all....just a little messy from spilled fluid.
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