steering rack

[kraked]

Hi people
In my 02 dakota, i think the steering rack was getting bad, having "tight" spots when turning.(acted like no p/s at times, then p/s,then no p/s). So anyways, i tried the lucas additive in it which claims to fix these tight spots and it did.I used the turkey baster method to add two bottles into the mix(first bottle only fixed it for a day or two).So all was good, but now it's getting colder outside and since the lucas is thicker than the atf+4(dodge stuff) that it originally had in it, i can hear the pump starving for oil at start-ups.So now i need another magic solution which is thin enough for winter temperatures.Any recommendations?

 

[Colt45ws]

Well, now that youve put some clean fluid in it I would try just switching it out for some fresh atf+4.

 

[moribundman]

Lubing a rack is always a good idea.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Lubing a rack is always a good idea.


And double-checking the mounting studs as well!

 

[kraked]

so u think the lucas stuff worked because it was new & clean , not because of its ingredients &/or consistancy ?

 

[artificialist]

I'm not sure about that 100%.

Lucas has extra seal swellers, and if the internal rack seals have shrunk, pressurized hydraulic oil will bypass them, and you will be left with no assistance.

On the other hand, many cars I have worked with needed the PSF replaced, because the old stuff turned into foam, and therefore would not transfer power effectively.

Hopefully you have the second situation, not the first.

 

[kraked]

hmmm.... I think i remember looking in the resovoir once and thinking it was full of air bubbles or foamy on top. I cant remember when though, before or after lucas(hopefully before,not just purging).I guess i'll try the refill. The Mopar atf+4 is good quality, isn't it ? I see the amsoil atf at [censored] tire but it's twice the price ($12/q). And then there's a couple more brands there too i think. (valvoline & q-state ??)
Thanks

 

[kraked]

...OR..
i think i have enough dexron 3 laying around.
Be ok ? even though it calls for +4, or for the re-fill experiment at least?

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: kraked
...OR..
i think i have enough dexron 3 laying around.
Be ok ? even though it calls for +4, or for the re-fill experiment at least?

I wouldn't put DexIII in there, because Mopar+4 requires better cold flow and oxidation resistance than Dexron III.

Of course, if you really want to go all out, Amsoil universal ATF is an excellent choice there.

 

[kraked]

ok thanks again. Dex 3 it is then................just kidding, although depending on how much of it i have,i might try it for a short time to make sure new lube is gonna do the job, instead of possibly wasting synthetic, and to get it used it up at the same time.

 

[Ken2]

Flush, flush, and flush again to get all the Lucas stuff out. Refill with good ATF and add Auto-Rx according to the directions for power steering units. After the Auto-Rx cleaning and rejuvenation of the seals, flush and refill with new ATF and add a Magnefine or SPXFiltran filter on the return line. The Auto-Rx cleaning action will remove any varnish or gunk that is keeping parts of the rack from getting proper lubrication. If it is still bad, it is really bad--budget for a replacement.

 

[kraked]

sounds smart, but also sounds like torture, lol.

 

[kraked]

any other varnish flushing additive stuff around that is available at the big stores, that would be worth putting in with dex 3 for about a few days or so ? (sunday tomorrow...only the cwappy tires,wallyworlds ,etc. are open).