TwinTur13oRx7

Well I noticed my new RX7 I got 1990 GXL that its leaking some fluid. now I found a lil bit to be coming from the oil pan no biggie on that its not even that bad just a few drops. Now the main leak thats like 2-3 table spoons seems to be coming from the drivers side boot dealy that looks like this
it does have power steering and the boot itself is cracked and ripped open. If this is the source of the leak how much $$$ am I looking at to fix it? I searched for this but considering I dont exactly know what that aprt is called iam kidna screwed :[

woot1524

I think those are the CV boots, on the steering rack I might be wring but wait for reted or the other guys to chime in.

VietFC

that cv shaft boot is just to keep the joint lubricated. If it rips, it will only spill that jelly-like stuff out. really nasty stuff, but your PS fluid shouldn't be leaking from that point. PS fluid doesn't even get to that boot. Most likely, something is dripping from above onto that crossmember with the steering rack and dripping off of that. Mine's doing the same thing.

TwinTur13oRx7

hhmmmm then I wonder where this leak is coming from and also do I need to replace the boot asap? or can it go a month or 2?

VietFC

it'd be best to change it so that it doesn't sieze up. As for the leak, it can be a lotta things. Mainly thinks that are around the front cover. OMP or oil cooler lines and such. Gotta clean it up and see

gnome311

I had to replace both oil stock oil cooler lines on my 88na at about 135k. They started out as a small drip and then got horribly worse. You might want to check to see if it is these.

TwinTur13oRx7

it seems like it MUST be right abouve that boot cause it seems to drip down onto the boot. Hhmmm I thin kI see a solution let it keep dripping and it will keep the CV joint lubed :/

WAYNE88N/A

Unless the S5's are different, that is not a CV joint on your power steering rack. The boot is designed to keep dirt & debris from getting into the rack gear and hydraulic servo valve, which would give you seizing problems. You do have a fluid leak, it is probably coming from that servo valve, whose internal seals get worn with age. I drove mine with the boot ripped for four years or so, I've turned mine into a manual steer, though, using the existing power rack. If you're going to keep it power, you'll need to rebuild your servo valve (inside the silver "gearbox" looking thingy), which requires the removal of the rack assy (not that hard to do). You could replace the boot (requires tie-rod end removal), but the leak will still fill it...

TwinTur13oRx7

so it possibly could be stuff leaking from the joint?

WAYNE88N/A

Like I said, unless the S5's are different, there is no joint there- that boot covers the rack (the long "bar" with teeth on it that engages with the end of the servo valve). The rack just goes in & out, just like a normal "rack & pinion" type assy...

Tiers

K seen this on several fc's(and a matter of fact just fixed it on my 86, and it is most likely a leak from the oil cooler lines which are directly above that boot. AS a matter of fact it could just be the fitting where it screws into engine off the oil lines as it can wiggle loose from driving vibrations if the lines themselves look good. A bit of oil leaks from the fitting/engine mount position rolls down the little fitting before the black lines and drips onto that boot looking like a big leak or bad power steering rack.

So what am I saying? check the lines and tighten up that fitting and see what happens. )

WAYNE88N/A

Sure, any scenario is possible, the only way to verify which oil is leaking into the boot is to take a "sample".

I guess mine could have been the cooler lines at first (causing the boot to swell and rupture like they do), because the boot had some type of oil in it for as long as I remember, at least 5 years, and I didn't put the stainless RB cooler lines on until 2 or 3 years ago, so you could very well be right about the source.

As you can tell from my above post, I have learned this rack well, having had to completely tear it down and rebuild all the internal components, bearings, & seals after I had problems with it seizing up on me. Now everything is basically packed with grease, and it is a true "manual" rack now, with absolutely no dampening associated with a power rack (or fluid, for that matter)...