Hi All,
I've had enough with PS fluid under the 99 Lesabre Custom. I discovered the fluid is coming from where the steering linkage meets the rack. In this model I think this is the magnasteer device. I do not suspect an internal leak at this time.

Is it possible to fix the leak without removing/replacing the rack. Perhaps by replacing a seal around the pinion?
If not possible please recommend a good re-manufactured rack.

Thanks in advance,
RW

Replaced the original rack with a remanufactured one from O'Reilly. The rack did not inspire confidence being crudely sprayed with black paint and no country of origin sticker (but I can assume..). It did work though for a month and then began leaking worse than the original and in the same spot. I estimate it leaked 4 ounces a day which is a huge percentage of the total capacity. My parking space looks like I changed the oil without a pan. I contacted O'Reilly who ordered another one (warrantee) which looked much better. No cheap black paint spayed haphazardly. The new one came with replacement o-rings and instructions. It has been a week and no leaks. Need to get the Magnasteer recalibrated but I’m happy for now.
Don't attempt this job without a lift. The first replacement took a full day and the second took 5 hours so I'm getting better.

Followup - I spilled so much PS fluid in this area that I suspect it damaged the speed sensor because the speedometer started bouncing erratically. These cost about $20 on ebay and are easy to replace. Maybe this will fix it. I'll let you know.

Rusty Wrench
Looks like I need to swap out a rack and pinion myself. Just curious how you went about doing it in 5 hours. Did you remove the exhaust ?? The last time i did this, I took the sway bar loose and lowered the front subframe enough to get the rack out the drivers side wheel well. It took me considerably longer than 5 hrs.

I used a lift which made it all possible. No need to remove exhaust. Disconnect the rack from the steering column and tie-rods then put a jack under subframe and loosen back subframe bolts (nearest driver) to let it down maybe 1 inch or 2. Leave the front bolts in or loosen them a bit. For support/safety I put a transmission jack under the tranny which worked fine but later learned it crushed my cheapo tranny pan seal. Replaced seal the night my wife left me. Lesson from this; don't buy cheap "spongy" seals and maybe put jack under frame. Also don't treat little lady like college roomy.) Anyway it is much easier to get at the bolts that hold the rack to the subframe once it is lowered. After bolts are removed, turn the rack so that it slides out thru driver wheel well. If you have Magna-Steer there will be a small electrical connector to disconnect. There is also a way to program magna-steer but I did not have a computer so it didn't happen. Another tip; loosen bolts on the passenger side by bolt head on the bottom side of subframe because the nut (on other end of bolt) is welded to frame or to rack. A shop manual would be a better source of info.
I've done this job twice (thanks to O-Re_ill_ys) and the first time was an all day+ event. You can do it if you have a lift, torque wrench, some instructions and patience. Also money for an alignment but take some measurement before you remove the tie-rods.

A lift made it all possible. No need to remove exhaust. Lower subframe is a must. First disconnect rack from steering column and tie-rods. (Take measurements first for alignment). Put a tranny jack under subframe for support and safety. Loosen back subframe bolts (closest to passenger compartment). Loosen front bolts a bit then lower frame an inch or two. Lowered frame make it easier to get at bolts holding rack to frame.
Tip - Loosen passenger side rack bolts from the bottom since top is just a nut welded to frame and it won't budge.
Tip - if you have magna-steer there will be a electrical connector to disconnect. Also there is a way to program magna-steer but I did not do this since a computer was not available.
Tip - Putting jack under tranny crushed by cheapo pan seal seal. I later replaced the seal the night my wife left me. Lesson learned: don't buy cheap "foamy" seals, don't put support for everything on tranny pan, and don't treat wife like college roomy.

Anyway you can do it with a lift, instructions, torque wrench, and time.
Good Luck,
RW