96 Accord LX Power Steering Issue
 

Power steering pump hasn't been working for a few days now. It's my daily commuter and I am wondering if I can still drive it without any problems occurring for me until I can get it fixed in a few days possibly a week ?

I did put fluid in it and it leaked all out somewhere underneath in a matter or a few hours. Im guessing it's more than just a bad hose. Top hose from reservoir towards the front and then down is good with no rips or holes at all.

Any help or input if it's alright to drive for a few more days would be great.

Thanks
Dusty

It's likely a corroded or damaged end fitting on hoses. You will need to elevate and inspect connections to/from steering rack.

I think driving is OK, but you should remove the PS Pump drive belt to avoid turning the pump w/o fluid to lubricate.

good luck

Thanks for the reply.

About how many connections to / from hoses are there going to be?

From standing over the reservoir I can see 2 or 3 connections before it goes out of sight and downward. The rubber hoses on the top from reservoir down seem to be good with no problems, but I'm sure there are more connections on the lower portion.

Any help is appreciated

Check the boots on the rack...if they are torn then you may have got dirt up
in the seal area and blowen the seal out...thats what happened to my 89 Volvo

Only two connections to/from the PS Pump and Reservoir; supply from PS Pump to steering rack and return from steering rack to PS coolant loop and back to reservoir.

There are two "cylinder pipes" on the steering rack which appear to be small diameter steel tubing. If these rust/pit they could be source of leak also.

good luck

Thanks for the replies. i'll be sure to check the rack and see about the boots as well as the lower hoses to and from the rack.

Hoping for an easy sloution.

Any diagrams out there for PS pump and hoses?

Just thought I'd throw it out there.

a leak that fast ,,, sounds like a leaking p/s rack ,,,,take the p/s belt off and drive like that

Took it to a garage today and they said rack and pinion was where the leak was.

Makes sense now why I couldn't keep any fluid in there.

I think I will take the power steering belt off and drive like that. At least until the winter weather in PA will allow for better weather to get it fixed.

Anyone know how much to get a rack and pinion fixed ? its a 96 Accord lx 4dr 2.2 Non V-Tec

It depends what is wrong, leaking seal, corroded tubing pipe, or corroded rack body. Used racks are readily available, inexpensive and replacement is not that big a job (easy for me to say, but I've only read the procedure, never done it). Check car-part.com for a used rack near you if you need one.

good luck

The Pull-A-Part in my area sells them for $45 and I recently got a quote to have it replaced just to see what this shop would say and they quoted $550

Good Luck