99 windstar leaking power steering fluid

look for split in the hard line where fluid is leaking. If you see split, change the line only. make sure power steering reservoir is filled and rack and pinion is full (charge with steering wheel left/right motion). You should be able to remove wheel and inside wheel panel to see power steering fluid shooting out of any hole. There is hydraulic pressure on the lines.

if you can get your hands up in there you should be able to depending on your clearence

No, the power steering is entirely a separate and sealed system, wholly external to the engine. The power steering pump pushes the fluid through a high pressure hose into the rack and pinion-the steering gear mounted below and behind the engine-and holds pressure within the rack that enables power assisted steering. At the same end where the power steering fluid hose enters the gear will be a fitting for a return line back to the fluid reservoir. These two hoses are usually routed close together at least part of the way, some may even be held together with brackets. Leaks could develop at the pump, the fluid reservoir, or the two hoses to and from the rack and pinion, or the seals inside the rack and pinion may have failed. You should be able to find the leak-it will only leak to the outside-to check the rack and pinion for leaks, right where your tie rods come out of the gear and go to the wheels for steering, will be a small rubber boot encasing the tie rod and the end of the rack assembly-on both ends is a boot and a tie rod-peel back the rubber boot from the gear ass\'y, it should be dry. If a lot of fluid, the seals in the rack and pinion are gone. It will have to be replaced.
Hopefully you will find a leaking hose or fractured reservoir, but keep looking, air flow may be blowing the leaking fluid back and under the car. Good luck, hope it\'s not the rack and pinion.

If its leaking from the boots then you need to replace the whole unit, the leak is internal, by replacing the boot you will just hide the problem and the fluid will leak inside the boot until it fills the boot and then when you turn the wheel the fluid will blow out the boot ends. hope this helps. good day.

Hi, welcome to FixYa.com my name is Shawn and I will be answering your question.

It is possible to rebuild power steering racks but most mechanics have not done it in years and some require special tools to perform the procedure. Industry standard is to replace the power steering rack assembly. If there is a fluid leak in the boot the rack needs to be replaced.

I hope my assistance helped you and resolved your concern, if you need further assistance please ask.

Heres the problem the boot is to protect the shaft from dirt, the pipe is to bleed air out, if theres power steering fluid leaking out then the steering rack is bad and needs replacing. the seal on the side of the leak is bad and replacing is the result, by replacing the boot or reclamping it is only going to hold all the leaking oil inside and you will see you will be added power steering fluid. good luck. hope this is helpful.

No, the boot only keeps dust out of the inner tie rod joint--it is not intended to hold back fluid. The rack will have to be rebuilt with new seals. Sorry. :o(

you are leaking power steering fluid. the high pressure line is the most common problem with windstars. other leakable parts are the rack and pinion, power steering pump, low pressure line or power steering reservoir.

Anytime a power steering compononent is leaking it requires replacement. whether or not you choose to replace it is up to you. if you lose all power steering fluid you will lose your power assist however mechanical steering ability is still maintained.

Hi

Yes you can replace the steering rack rubber boots OK.

But if you are loosing fluid, it sounds like the internal seals are leaking, allowing the fluid to fill up these boots, and subsequently bursting them, so you will be back to square one.

Better to fit an exchange steering rack !

Good luck !

A FixYa rating would be Nice !......... Thanks.....John.