93 LX 5 spd, 110,000 miles. Power steering leak got considerably worse in the last few days, 2 - 3 inch puddle under the car Friday night, although the resevoir is still above the low mark. Power washed the area around the rack, pretty obvious the left boot is full of fluid (the spring clamp had come off, but that's not the root of the problem). Searching tells me the rack probably has to be rebuilt, but it didn't look like anyone in the threads I found actually rebuilt their own.

How difficult is it to reuild the rack vs. buying new/reuilt already? Does the A pipe have to come off, or can the rack be maneuvered out without disconnecting it?

Not that it matters much at this time, but how much trouble do others having with steering rack leaks? My 90 LX still has the original rack/gearbox. Maybe the boots are full and just not leaking?

 

Just get a new one. Yes, with the power steering bellow's boot full of pwr str fluid means rebuilt or new rack N pinion, but I'd just buy a new one.

To remove it, its more like time consuming so don't rush because its sort of a pain to remove the pwr str line from the rack, I dont know about the CB but on the 5th Gen V6, there's not much room to undo the line.

Good luck.

 

i just finished this on my 94 accord yesterday. I still have to install the inner tie rods and boots, and bolt it back in. It was sort of a pain, but I am glad I saved about $200 doing it. I didn't change any seals except the ones on the rack ends. If it ever leaks again, I'll replace with a rebuilt unit. hopefully it won't leak now.

 

It's not difficult at all provided you're using a helm manual and have the tools. You can even remove the rack without dropping the subframe.

 

I'm presently rebuilding my power steering rack on a 92 civic dx. It started as a leak on one end, but I found the pinion housing bearing rusted out, completely. Now in reassembly mode, there's just one problem, the rack spring (on the end of the rack seal) uninstalled is larger diameter than the rack cylinder. so how do I get it back into the cylinder? It's a very thick spring. Help!