99 Trans Am-Slight Leak in the PS+Whining Pump

[Striker]

Hi Guys, Sort of stuck a bit here as to what I should do when I take the Trans Am out of storage this May-here's the current situation. I noticed last summer that one of the rubber boots on my power steering rack was wet with fluid. I wiped it down, and the next day it was wet again (looked like "sweating") but it keeps coming back. The rubber boots I am speaking of are the ones shown in the diagram picture below. I am torn: Do I buy another rack, or try some leak-stop type of products? It is not furiously leaking by any chance, but this is my toy and it bothers me. Second is the whining when I am "dry-steering" Is there a product I can put in the reservoir in an effort to address it, or am I looking at getting a new pump?

 

[ls1mike]

Get another rack...and drive the dang thing more. You are killing it. Same thing happend to mine.

 

[Corvette Owner]

I would try a leak sealer first, it worked on my 2001 Impala.

 

[Striker]

Is there a leak sealer that works well? Also, the whining of the pump....(i'm assuming the pump does the whining?) anything to address this or just a new unit?

 

[artificialist]

Lucas PSF additive can slow down PS leaks and reduce PS noise somewhat, but you will eventually have to replace the PS rack and pump. Lubegard also quiets old PS pumps, but I don't think it is meant to slow down leaks. When you buy a new PS rack, I always buy new outer tierod ends so I can beat the heck out of the old ones to get them out. After you do all this, I recommend using synthetic PSF, or ATF if that is what your car uses.

 

[Striker]

I'll do a complete drain and fill in the spring along with some Synthetic fluid and a bottle of Lucas PSF. Where can I find out if my car uses PSF or ATF?

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Striker

I'll do a complete drain and fill in the spring along with some Synthetic fluid and a bottle of Lucas PSF. Where can I find out if my car uses PSF or ATF?

Your owners's manual should say. However, on all the Gen 4 Camaro and Firebird models I ever worked on, PSF is what was required.

 

[dailydriver]

I've used either RP Max EZ, or Red Line in mine (with the occasional little purple bottle of the Lube Gard additive thrown in for good measure) since new (now 145K miles). Not one single problem with the p.s. yet!

 

[Striker]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver

I've used either RP Max EZ, or Red Line in mine (with the occasional little purple bottle of the Lube Gard additive thrown in for good measure) since new (now 145K miles). Not one single problem with the p.s. yet!

Ok so our cars do not take ATF for the power steering sytem? Does your pump whine at all while dry steering?

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Striker

Originally Posted By: dailydriver

I've used either RP Max EZ, or Red Line in mine (with the occasional little purple bottle of the Lube Gard additive thrown in for good measure) since new (now 145K miles). Not one single problem with the p.s. yet!

Ok so our cars do not take ATF for the power steering sytem? Does your pump whine at all while dry steering?

The only time there is any noise at all (squeal-like sound) is at full, forced lock during "dry steering" (which you should not do anyway!!). BTW; Sam Strano has had Red Line p.s. fluid (as well as all of their other fluids) in his multiple national championship winning autocross, E/Street Prepared (with humongous, super glue sticky, 315/30-17 R compound tires ALL AROUND), 4th gen, LS1 f body (which also had upwards of 300K hard street miles on it as well), for the past 13 or so years, with NO problems before he sold it recently.

 

[postjeeprcr]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

Lucas PSF additive can slow down PS leaks and reduce PS noise somewhat, but you will eventually have to replace the PS rack and pump. Lubegard also quiets old PS pumps, but I don't think it is meant to slow down leaks. When you buy a new PS rack, I always buy new outer tierod ends so I can beat the heck out of the old ones to get them out. After you do all this, I recommend using synthetic PSF, or ATF if that is what your car uses.

Luckily on 4th Gen F Bodies the tie rod ends come off without having to beat them.

 

[Striker]

Originally Posted By: dailydriver

Originally Posted By: Striker

Originally Posted By: dailydriver

I've used either RP Max EZ, or Red Line in mine (with the occasional little purple bottle of the Lube Gard additive thrown in for good measure) since new (now 145K miles). Not one single problem with the p.s. yet!

Ok so our cars do not take ATF for the power steering sytem? Does your pump whine at all while dry steering?

The only time there is any noise at all (squeal-like sound) is at full, forced lock during "dry steering" (which you should not do anyway!!). BTW; Sam Strano has had Red Line p.s. fluid (as well as all of their other fluids) in his multiple national championship winning autocross, E/Street Prepared (with humongous, super glue sticky, 315/30-17 R compound tires ALL AROUND), 4th gen, LS1 f body (which also had upwards of 300K hard street miles on it as well), for the past 13 or so years, with NO problems before he sold it recently.

gotcha- so Red Line PS fluid works real well in our pumps I take it. I will definitely take a look at it but right now I am seeing a bit of "sweating" on one of the tie rod boots *not dripping* just sweating so to put the expensive RL fluid in it now makes very little sense. PS- Can I mix the RL fluid with the Lucas anti leak product?

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Striker

PS- Can I mix the RL fluid with the Lucas anti leak product?

That I do not know, and would call Dave at Red Line, and/or Lucas' tech line to make sure there is no additive/base 'clash' between the two products (I have NEVER used Lucas p.s. anti-leak). BUT, given the high percentage of group 5/POE in Red Line's base stock, it alone may be enough to stop/slow down a very slight rack/inner tie rod seal leak.