lojik

Hi Fellow Aziners,

On Thursday I got a long overdue rear motor mount changed on my 06 TSX. Once done the car felt like a champ, drove super steady and really smooth. That was the only issue I was having that I knew about up to that point. Then the very next day I wake up to a car with almost no power steering fluid and power steering difficulties with the power steering pump sounding like it was bad. There was no leak before the work at all. So I filled it up with fluid to the top. By the next day all my fluid drained again and emptied completely and my power steering was gone and it was obviously super hard to steer now (power steering pump sound was gone because the system was completely dry). My question is this, could the mechanic have caused this or could it be that the excessive vibrating now no longer present would have caused this from before and it's just a coincidence as far as the timing. I really trust my mechanic and he always charges fair and have never had this type of issue before. Thing is the leak is coming from the rack and pinion boot that sits right below where the motor mount that was changed is. It appears the leak is in the middle of the boot and not at a joint or from a hose. How would I be able to tell if it was accidental, purposely or just a coincidence? Also if it's just a lack of power steering fluid, how long can I drive the car and what will happen if I have to keep driving it for a few weeks?

lojik

Bump

TexasHonda

It is possible that mechanic caused leak but its unlikely IMO.

More likely, he moved or damaged the steering tie-rod boot enough to allow accumulated fluid inside the boot to leak out.

Lucas PS Leak Seal will sometimes stop a PS leak from the rack. Worth a try.

good luck

lojik

@TexasHonda if the mechanic moved the boot enough for built up fluid to be released if that's what happened wouldn't it be leaking from the sides of the boot and not squarely in the middle of it? I put a new bottle again today and it was all gone in 30 min. There was no leak at al before the service was done.

TexasHonda

The seal for rack is internal to the rack and protected. It is unlikely that the rack end seal would be damaged by service on motor mount. However, HP hose to PS rack is more likely. Are you sure source of fluid leak?

good luck

lojik

I really need to drive the car, whats the worst that could happen if i drive without power steering fluid? Will something break and render the car useless and make it worst?

TexasHonda

Probably worst case is damage to the PS pump which will be rotating w/o PS fluid.

good luck

lojik

Thanks @TexasHonda, I appreciate you chiming in and trying to help.