Or know of symptons associated with a failing steering rack? Is the procedure to replace one hard? Should I have an Indie perform the operation?

 

if ur power steering fluid is going down fast, like full 1 day almost gone the next, your rack is cracked/leaking yes it is hard to replace as its at the back of the engine (at least on older ones) and you need to remove a lot of stuff to get to it, and in parts alone the rack can be $1500+, however, there is a $12 solution that i did thats working pretty well so far lol, go to your local autoparts store (such as NAPA) and see if they have LUCAS steering sealer, it will condition/seal the rack and pinions in 1 or 2 bottles and all u do is add it straight in with ur fluid 1 bottle at a time (so u need to do it when ur steering fluid is low)

 

No, I'm not losing fluid....at least not like that. I have seapage which I plan to replace one of my hoses but that's it.
I had a grinding noise before whenver I would turn the vehicle but over the weekend I flushed the PS fluid with new Pentosin Synthetic ATF (green can) and that fixed the grinding noises. HOwever, I still have weird thumping noises whenever starting from a stop or sometimes on reverse. Have had this problems for 5 years now....i figured it must be the rack or ps pump.

 

well grinding or humming is when the ps is low, and from what i understand the rack is kind of like a big seal and shouldnt be causing a thumping....ive never heard anyone describe it as a thumping come to think of it lol so it might very well be the pump...sorry i couldnt have more insight

 

thanks, I think I may try changing the PS pump down the road....so far I'm pleased that my ps flush took away the grinding noises....we'll see if it comes back.