Hello guys I need your help,

Recently I went to the dealer for maintenance and I ask em for multi-point inspection. The dealer found something wrong and they said that I need to replace the power steering rack and pinion part and it cost $1246 with the labor. I declined and I want to look for second opinion.

What are the part number list for the power steering and pinion and how much they usually cost. And if I go to private mechanic, what do I expect for the labor cost? Is this power steering problem is common to the TL?


Before I do the major repair from my hard earned $$$ I was thinking to do this;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf-_q...embedded#at=17


or DIY A-105: Power Steering Pump Overhaul

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/diy-105-power-steering-pump-overhaul-pics-sm-scans-841134/

Should this fix the problem?

This is fucked up and I fixed a lot of thing in my TL and ain't spending more than 1k to fix it.

 

Yea do that first, I did its cheap an it fixed my problem

 

Describe your problem, leaking, hard to turn??

 

@johnny

I found out there are some leak under the car but the turn is normal, not hard turn, vibration or anything like that.

@Morganicole

Which 2 of them did you fix it? the video or the DIY A-105?

 

I just bought this part at local dealer and I'm going to do the DIY with a friend this weekends, hopefully this will fix the leaking problem.

This is the list of part I just bought;

-91345-RDA-A01 O-RING
-91347-PAA-A01 O-RING
-91347-P2A-003 O-RING
-91348-P2A-003 O-RING
-91349-P2A-003 SEAL
-91370-SV4-000 O-RING

This is the correct part right?

 

I just had the power steering rack replaced on my 04 TL. I had it replaced because I found a large chunk missing from the rubber boot that sits between the steering gear box and the tie rod that connects to the wheel. If those rubber boots tear, they can let dirt in which eventually wears down seals and causes the steering rack to leak. Sometimes those seals even fail on there own.

You'll have to be more specific about what the dealer found that indicated you needed the entire rack replaced. If the leak is around the pump, you can likely tell because you'll see gunk around the pump where it mates to the engine, like gooey dirt caked on. If it's just the pump leaking then you can go forward with your plans to rebuild the pump, but if the leak is in the rack that is an entirely different animal. My understanding is that you have to lower the sub-frame to remove the steering rack. Personally I could probably handle rebuilding the pump, but no way could I replace the rack on my own (BTW, I'm not a mechanic or anything...I'm only able to do minor repairs and such).

As far as price goes, both the Acura dealer near me and the shop down the street wanted $1,200 to replace the steering rack. I know a mechanic who does side work, and he replaced the rack + the power steering pump (that was leaking too) for $800.

 

Thank for the input jaggedaz.

I was going to do the diy this weekends but my friend postpone it for the next 2 week. So guys, its not recommended to drive with those ps fluid leaking for a while right? Or it need immediate attention to fix it? I just topped the fluid to max, that all I did at the moment.

anybody know what part number are the steering rack and pinup?

 

Drive it, keep the fluid bottle topped off (full).

 

Is the power steering pump leaking or not? Is it making any noise? Don't waste your time throwing parts at it if it's not leaking or noisy.

If the steering rack is leaking then yeah you need to replace it. Look around the boots for fluid.
If the boots aren't torn, puncture a small pin size hole on the bottom of the boot and see if fluid comes out.

 

I went to the private mechanic today for a quick inspection and he confirmed that the power steering rack and pinon is leaking.

The power steering pump is fine for the moment. It seem that the stealership was right about it. F#$k..... I have to shell $$$ to fix it.

Please confirm ; is that the right part?

53601-SEP-A04 RACK, POWER STEERING.

Cost $432.20 at acuraoemparts

 

You can drive it as long as you want, just keep fluid in it, you may need to find a place to park as it will drip fluid every time you park the car. Get a piece of cardboard (box) flaten it out & park over that until you're ready to change your R & Pinion.

 

the rack and pinion can occur leaks, but still function normal. when you have very stiff turns or it feel like the steering wheel wobbles all over the road you may need to replace. how big is the leak? seeps or LEAKS?

 

^^^The leak is very small but I don't feel stiff turn nor any steering wobbles or noise. But I think, I will experience those characteristic over time.

 

Just had mine at the dealership for routine service, and mentioned that the steering fights back on tight turns. They told me I need a new rack, there is fluid in my boots. He was going to work up a cost, I told him to call Acura Care. Costing me $0.00. They also have to do an alignment when the replace the rack. Make sure that is part of the cost. I have 72K on a '08. I was surprised this system failed. My Service Adviser told me that it happens occasionally to the 3rd gen TL. I am "happy" because I spent $1K on the warranty and I have a year left on it. This is my first use, so now I am even.

 

Damn I shoulda extended my warranty. Right now I'm getting quotes around $400-$500 for labor from different mechanic.

millarduck my rack failed at 53k, I just wish it that my rack fail before 50k for the warranty.

 

Shortly after buying my '05, I had a PS fluid leak and the dealer found the steering boots had been tampered and seals failed...they recommended the rack and pinion needed replacing. They wanted over $2k for it so I had an independent shop confirm and they charged about $1k.

 

Guys help me. What is the number part of the power steering rack and pinion? I'm have the funds and I want to fix it as soon as possible. I'm about to buy at acuraoemparts, just want to be sure that Im buying the correct part.

 

Try this link:

Link

It should be #13 in the illustration. I see two parts listed for #13, I'm assuming the cheaper one is a re-manufactured unit. I'm not 100% sure that is the part you're going to need though, I would check with the parts department at a local dealer or with one of their mechanics. You might also need additional parts (like the boots) if there are other things wrong with the rack.

 

I was talking to my friend and he recommended me to buy the re-manufacture unit instead of brand new one. He said it just the same thing and its just rebuild unit and cheaper. I don't know....

What do you think? Should I buy brand new or re-manufactured?

 

Mine was a remanufactured unit. I've got ~40k and 2 years on it with no issues. I assume they replace the soft goods (seals/gaskets) and possibly some rotating wear parts. Not sure why a legitimate reman unit wouldn't be acceptable. As previously mentioned, remember the post repair alignment.

 

Just bought the reman version. hrod26 just made my mind since he mention that he was running for 2 year with no issue. I'm going to take to the mechanic next weekends and the labor is going to cost me almost $550 and that without alignment.

I just really hope that my last fix for a long time.

 

Got it done today, it cost me almost $700 in total for that power steering rack and pinon labor and part. I got the reman version and went to a small local honda/acura specialist shop. Still expensive for me but at least I saved $540 from the stealership. I just hope that my TL hold on without breaking up for a long time cuz my wallet is in pain.

Thank for the help guys.

 

Op even though u bashed on me, do yourself a favor and get a rebuilt option. more savings and remains the o.e rack with different guts.

 

Did you read my last 2 post? I just went the reman version, which mean is the rebuilt version. I just got it done yesterday and I saved a lot of money and it holding well for now.

 

what symptoms were you experiencing? my steering feels tight sometimes when my wheels turned all the way to either the left or the right and on the road my steering is really loose and wobbles on bumps. and a while back my entire tank of fluid leaked out somewhere, im thinking its just the gasket in the vid (well i hope its not the whole rack and pinion haha) but would the o-ring cause all those symptoms? i just checked my tank and its about half empty, last time i filled it up was a year ago.

 

^^I had no symptoms happening to my steering (no vibration, no wheel wobbles, hard turn or anything like that ), just the leak all over. The only thing I did, was to top my power steering fluid every week until I bought the reman part.

The only advice I can give to you is to have a independent mechanic to check the source of the leak.

 

My steering rack JUST started to leak 3 days ago. Never had any symptoms before. On the first day, it dripped pretty fast and the reservoir was empty by the next morning. As of right now, it has a slow steady drip that eventually stops once I shutoff & park the car.

This blows! Why couldn't this have happened when I had my clutch replaced a few months back.

I have a lot of expenses at the moment, and many more that were expected.


First, I'm going to try LUCAS POWER STEERING STOP LEAK, keep an eye on it and bide some time/labor/$$, see how that works.

Second option, see if I could replace the seal and boot on a lift.

Third, replace the rack on a lift without dropping the subframe (pita).

Fourth, take it to a shop..


What do you guys think would be the best way to tackle fixing this in order of least costly vs getting replaced?

 

Mine's been producing weird clunking noise when I steer the wheel left and right ... its pretty annoying and been researching if its the rack, tie rods or ball joints.... but just found this on youtube its for a 01 accord but it should be really similar hope its useful

 

I have the same issue. My local mechanic wants to fix the seal and the boot. However, I've been told by members here as well as couple of other mechanics I know that replacing the seal and the boot will not fix the issue.

 

..hundreds of dollars later

I spent a bit of time brain-farting what could have lead up to this problem in the first place. Constantly thinking to myself "..why would a newer Type-S rack live a shorter life-span than my original base rack that was on for many years??.." Made an interesting observation on where and why the leak had occurred..

Long story short...

I just moved from from NY to Nocal being that I'm stationed in the military. Living in an area that experiences 95+ degrees temperatures on a daily basis is bound to have a toll on soft/sealing parts for any vehicle over time. Now, as we all know, the 3G engine bay in particular normally runs VERY hot on a good day..

Take a look at how close the rear cat is to the passenger side of the steering rack, this is literally just inches away!



Thanks to the rear cat the major leak came only from this side of the rack, the other side (where there is a substantial less amount of heat) was perfectly fine.

Its no wonder that these racks are destined to fail and leak with time. The seals inside must be slowly roasting on every daily commute the system endures with the super hot PS fluid. Over time the rubber is going to warp and deform, breaking the seal in the system, thus negating its sole purpose of holding any PS fluid altogether.

Acura must have become aware of this as problem. However, only made a revision on the Type-S. If you look at the parts website, you'll see how the Type-S had integrated a PS fluid cooler into their system:



Adding a cooler into the system isn't a bad addition at all, but imo its more of a band-aid fix to the real cause of the problem. And lets face it, the heat shields only work until max temp is attained, then are rendered useless and even as an additional high heat source.

My temporary fix/preventive measure (as shown above) was to wrap that section of the steering rack itself in a heat blanket. The material is flexible and similar to what is used in most firewalls.

~Also~

I monkeyf****d the hell out of my cowl with a new revision of my version of the Ultimate Cooling Mod.


My longterm plan is to upgrade to ceramic coated RV6 HFCs and further reduce under hood temperature by wrapping them in the heat blanket as well.

 

Just went in for a standard B1 service. Got a call saying my rack and pinion was leaking and needed to be replaces total cost $1900. I drive an 08 TL that is 6 months out of warranty with very low miles. Called Acura Customer Relations and they spoke with the dealership. Was able to get a Good Will replacement and paid a "deductible" of $200 for the entire service. If you have an 08 TL and find yourself in the same problem i'd definitely call Acura to see what they can do.

 

does anyone know if there is supposed to be a little power steering fluid in this area? I replaced my inner tie rods the other day and when the bellows boot was off, I noticed some fluid here:

 

I am new to this forum. Thank you all for the information posted here, it was very helpful. I have an '06 TL with 140,000+ miles. I recently had the rack & pinion replaced, and they did tell me I had to get it aligned.

I'm living in a new city (central / upstate NY) and I was unfamiliar with the mechanics here. My cost was $980 total. I wanted to post for others who may not be DIY'ers and also unsure of what to expect in terms of cost.

The problem started with the wheel being stiff when parallel parking or turning. I took it to the dealer (I'd just had body work servicing) and asked them to take a look at the fluids, etc. hoping the problem was minor. It wasn't. This went on for over 2 months (I used to drive the car a lot, but less than 50 miles /week since I've moved; also funds were tight for a while). I ended up taking it to a private shop for repairs. This was the most major issue I've had so far. Previously, the biggest problem was the battery life - the navigation system seems to be a drain and I'm getting ready to get my 4th battery since I bought the car.

 

How is that re-manufactured Rack holding up? what was the split in labor and parts?

 

The re-manufacture is holding well after 2 year of driving and yes it was split in labor and parts.

 

Dammit

 

I have same thing going on cokorote. I have a 2008 tl-s with 105,000 miles. Dealer told me I need the rack pinion, new pump, and o rings. It is filled up now with power steering fluid - I ride around with the fluid if i needed it. They said it was leaking on to the boots , but I have had no problems with steering. I got to check if I really need the rack, or just the pump to save some cash. Thanks for the thread.

 

If it's leaking from boots, rack needs changing. Power steering pump issues will create noise most of the time.
I have my rack replaced with reman for $500 with labour, got my own parts and took it to my own mech. Was the driver's side boot as well that just started pouring out of no where with little signs.

 

Thanks man, I am going this week to my own mechanic to see if it is really just the o rings, pump, or the whole rack. I am hoping just the o rings, and maybe the pump. I will report. It's troubling because I love the car, and this seems like it should not be happening with a 2008.

 

I got it checked out with my mechanic friend and it is the whole rack, it is always leaking. The grass is stained brown in my driveway because it leaks. I just keep filling it , and buying time before the repair. He quoted me about 1100.00 to fix the whole rack & pinion. Mine gets real noisy when it gets low on power steering fluid and sounds awful....I need to know what parts to get myself to save some cash....