schen72

Today I had a B13 service performed on my 2008 RDX which has about 75,000 miles on it. In the dealer's inspection they noted that the rack & pinion assembly is leaking although it doesn't seem like a big leak. On their service report they note that this would cost $2741 to replace. Is there any "repair" that can be done to this area for a leak? Service advisor told me to keep an eye on the power steering fluid level, which seems prudent. But I hadn't noticed any leak on the ground. Thoughts?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the correct repair is replacing the whole rack and pinion.
you are able to go elsewhere to get the work done cheaper.

if the rack and pinion isn't leaking to where you can see it on the ground...you have a little bit of time..but wouldnt sleep on it. Keep an eye on power steering fluid.

mrgold35

Kinda related:

My RDX with +150K looked like its power steering pump was leaking and Acura said it needed to be replaced for +$1000 (no leaks on the ground). There was a lot of build-up of road/engine grim around the pump as if oil was leaking; but, the power steering levels stayed near full. I didn't do the fix and instead I power washed the area to started monitoring how long it takes for the fluid to build up and drop reservoir levels. It has been since Feb/18 and no drop in fluid levels or grim build-up around the pump.

I would try and clean the best you can around area, monitor the amount of leakage at the rack, monitor power steering levels, and maybe replace your power steering fluid if it has been +7 years and/or +100,000 miles. I replaced my PS fluid at 100K and it was really dark and the viscosity was very low (could very easily slip past old seals). My TSX did have power steer pump leak and I purchased a used pump from eBay for $101 and another $140 for labor at a local shop to replace. I would look into doing the same if my rack starts to leak on my TSX or RDX down the road.

schen72

Okay I'll keep an eye on it. I just seemed like a steep cost to me as I've not had any major failures on this car.

Tomtwtwtw

I would agree this is a clean-and-monitor type situation. CRV's of the same time frame did have a somewhat common p/s leak, but I do not believe the RDX uses the same system. You definitely don't see it come up here oftenl. If you do see a very slow leak, it's quite easy to add fluid if needed (reservoir is near the passenger headlight) and fluid is also pretty cheap. There are also some additives that claim to stop small leaks in the p/s system, but I I have no idea if the're even remotely effective.