QuestionOur 3.8L V6 2002 town and country with 86235 miles has a leaking steering gear. Recently it became worse with about a 2 foot puddle forming under the passenger side steering gear boot. There is fluid on the driver side too but this larger amount appeared on the passenger side.
We previously had a steering gear replaced in March of 2005 at 50464 miles. Are there any known issues with this system on this vehicle?
It's was a fairly expensive repair, if this has to be done, is it possible for a non-professional to take it on?
thanks for any suggestions.
paulK
Answeryeah it is common for the rack in pinions to leak. as for u changing it here is the steps to do so read them over see if u want to do this or not.Pus u will haft to have a front end alignment as well.
REMOVAL - LHD GEAR
Remove cap from power steering fluid reservoir.
Using a siphon pump, remove as much fluid as possible from the power steering fluid reservoir. Use care not to damage the filter mesh below the fluid surface.
CAUTION: Locking the steering column in the straight-ahead position will prevent the clockspring from being accidentally over-extended when the steering column is disconnected from the intermediate steering coupler.
Position the steering wheel in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position. Lock the steering wheel in place using a steering wheel holding tool.
With the vehicle on the ground, disconnect the steering column shaft coupler from the steering gear intermediate coupler (Steering Column Shaft To Intermediate Shaft Attachment).
Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)
Remove front wheel and tire assemblies.
Remove front emissions vapor canister. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS/VAPOR CANISTER - REMOVAL)
Remove a single hose at power steering cooler and allow fluid to drain.
Remove 2 bolts attaching power steering cooler to cradle crossmember reinforcement (Power Steering Cooler).
On both sides of vehicle, remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to steering knuckle (Removing/Installing Tie Rod End Attaching Nut). Remove nut by holding tie rod end stud with a socket while loosening and removing nut with wrench.
Remove bolts fastening leak detection pump to cradle crossmember reinforcement. (Refer to 25 - EMISSIONS CONTROL/EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS/LEAK DETECTION PUMP - REMOVAL)
Remove both outer tie rods from steering knuckles, using Puller, Special Tool C-3894–A(Tie Rod Removal With Tool C-3894-A).
Remove the lower control arm rear bushing retainer bolts located on each side of each lower control arm rear bushing.
NOTE: The bolts fastening the cradle crossmember reinforcement are of two different thread sizes. Note the location of the various sizes.
Remove the bolts attaching the cradle crossmember reinforcement to the front suspension cradle crossmember (Cradle Crossmember Reinforcement Attachment). Remove the 2 bolts fastening the reinforcement and rear of cradle crossmember to the body of the vehicle. Remove lower rear bushings, then the reinforcement.
If the vehicle is equipped with All-Wheel-Drive, remove the power transfer unit (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/POWER TRANSFER UNIT - REMOVAL).
Remove tube nuts and power steering pressure and return hoses from the power steering gear (Hoses To Power Steering Gear - 3.3L/3.8L Engine).
Remove the 3 bolts and nuts mounting the steering gear to the front suspension cradle (Steering Gear Mounting To Suspension Cradle).
NOTE: The next step must be done to allow the removal of the steering gear from the front suspension cradle. The steering gear can not be removed from the vehicle with the intermediate coupler attached to the steering gear.
Lower steering gear from suspension cradle enough to allow access to the intermediate coupler roll pin (Removing Roll Pin From Intermediate Coupler). Install Remover/Installer Special Tool 6831A through the center of the roll pin, securing with the knurled nut (Removing Roll Pin From Intermediate Coupler). Hold threaded rod stationary while turning nut, this will pull the roll pin out of the intermediate coupler.
Separate the coupler from the shaft of the steering gear.
Remove the power steering gear from the vehicle
