Honda Car Forum

A minor left front collision break opens the fluid reservoir, emptying
the tank. Out of necessity, the car was driven for several days
without steering fluids, unsure if this is a good idea. I went under
the car and find a leak (1-drop/min) from the steering box boot
(on the passenger side) near the tie rod. What are some solution?

Thanks

sbcglobal.net wrote:
> A minor left front collision break opens the fluid reservoir,
emptying
> the tank. Out of necessity, the car was driven for several days
> without steering fluids, unsure if this is a good idea. I went under
> the car and find a leak (1-drop/min) from the steering box boot
> (on the passenger side) near the tie rod. What are some solution?
>
> Thanks

I just don't see any necessity to drive several days with no steering
fluid, but that's was your decision. Where did that fluid go and did
you fix that damage related drain on the fluid? That leak under the
boot may have been starting before this accident or it may have been
damaged in the accident. I think you will be needing a new steering
rack.

"Al Bundy" wrote

>Where did that fluid go and you fix that damage related drain on the fluid?

I'd replaced the reservoir tank, put in new Honda fluid. Initially, the reservoir
tank emptied onto the pavement, driver side. For 15-years, it had never leaked

I'm a bit confused. Did you replace the reservoir after the accident
or before.

If fluid is dripping from the steering rack as you describe then it is
possible that a seal is leaking. It may also have just dripped down
from the broken reservoir. It is also possible that the rack itself
may have been damaged in the accident.

At any rate the pump may also begin to make noises and eventually fail
if it was run with no lubricant for several days.

I would say you need to have a mechanic look the car over.

Driving with the system dry can cause problems with the pump and in
your case the seal(s) on the rack is probably blown. Replacing the
rack with a rebuilt is expensive - DIY for about $400 and well over $1K
or more.

Another way to blow your seals is to use about any fluid other than the
manufacturer's steering fluids. Using aftermarket steering fluids on a
honda and toyota will probably cause a racks seals to be blown. A
relative saved a few bucks by buying some aftermarket steering fluid
for his Avalon - will cost him over $1K.

Same applies to tranny fluids for a lot of vehicles.

Yup...those owners manuals are good for more than taking up space in
the glove compartment.

"John S." wrote

> I'm a bit confused. Did you replace the reservoir after the accident
> or before.

Hi,
The reservoir was replaced after the accident. The steering system had
been reliable for all these years up until the accident. Upon closer
observation, there are minor fluids seeping from the pump (but not
dripping, escalating or showing signs of noise.) There are no seepage from
the reservoir. The only seepage is from the passenger side (rack and
pinion?) It's odd that the minor accident happened on the driver side which
shattered the reservoir but the leakage is on the passenger side.

One other thing I didn't mentioned: After the accident, the officer allowed
me to drive home (2-miles.) Upon arriving home I disconnect the steering
pump belt. For legal reasons I must report to the DMV the next day.

OK, if fluid is dripping out of the pump, then either the seals are
shot or the hose connections are leaking. If fluid is also leaking
from the steering boot on the rack then an internal seal is leaking.
The seal could be leaking from age or it could be leaking because the
rack was damaged in the accident.

I would recommend that you have the car inspected by a dealer or an
independent mechanic.

Generically, I worked on a similar failure a few years ago.
The problem was harder to find than I expected, but turned out to be a leak
past
the PS pump seal. It was hard to spot, trickled down the PS hoses, etc.

Yours may be something entireley different.