power steering made popping sound and lost all fluid very fast.WTF

[mattyr82]

turned one corner out of the shops last night and heard a pop and then lost all power steering and fluid poured out every where under the car. 1 rubber boot is off the rack and there is fluid on both rubber boots and looks like it is coming from inside the boots. is there seals inside there that go?
also there was a few stones jammed behing the alloy fluid lines, they may have punctured the lines but i cant tell where the leak actually is. anyone had this happen?

[ryno_vrx]

i had almost the exact same thing happen to my vr, i doubt you've punctured the lines just try to get it into a specialist shop and get everything replaced as the way i see it the steering system is over 10 years old. it cost me $1000 to replace everything, so down south you should be able to get it done cheaper thats my advice

[mattyr82]

just poured some fluid thru it and its all pissing out the d/side rubber boot from the rack. do i have to replace the rack with a reco one or can the seals inside the rubber boots be changed.

[Bryza]

it happened to my ss a few years ago but my boot stayed connected and blew up like a balloon it was huge.. in side theres a seal and it screws in . it comes loose over the years. jack the car up take the wheels off turn the wheels one way have a look inside the housing and see if this has happned!!! i just loctited both seals and all was good........

[crazy.vr]

You need a new rack. Change your tie rod ends while your at it and then do a wheel alignment. $350 all up done in a couple of hours.

[hako]

Nothing is impossible but to overhaul the rack is probably too much hassle for a job that still may fail. I'd just go to a wrecker and pay the $100 -$150 for one with a 3 month guarantee. Which ever way, you will have to remove the rack from the car. If you want to go for a reco then look at about $350.

[mattyr82]

thanx for all the replys.
bryza i think ur ss one is different cos there is no thread or any seals inside the boots on mine.
i had an old one laying around think it might be vn , not sure, so i dismantled it and reassembled it, and have narrowed it down to the cause must be a worn 40mm or so regular seal. i reckon i could change all seals myself and repack it with grease and save hundreds, it really isnt hard at all.
there is one part though a cylinder that has 3 or 4 rubber bands around it, that arnt removable, so thats the only thing i prob wont replace unless they sell the whole cylinder complete.
will rip it out in next few days and see how i go, worst case ill still get a changeover.

[mattyr82]

just an update to help people out, definately too complicated and not worth it to over-haul myself. ended up buying 2nd hand from wreckers for $75 is still going fine now, havnt even got a wheel alignment yet, it feels fine because the car it came from was obviously straight in the steering department, will get one soon cos up for tyres anyway. piece of piss to fit too, didnt take long!