re: Can I make it from Lafayette to BR with a power steering fluid leak (also rec a mechanic)

I used to work with a guy who had a left turn phobia. He had routes laid out to and from work that had right turns only.

Yes, but it's a fire hazard. Hydraulic fluid is flammable

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 Old time vehicles didn't have power steering, they had big steering wheel to get more leverage. 

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My first two cars didnt have power steering. Wasnt too bad really. Recently my car's power steering went out- HOLY CRAP it was hard to turn. I was sore the next day, no shite

I had a mustang and the engine blew up on the interstate. Had some 17x9 wheels on the front. Pushed the clutch in and it all died.

Holy crap did I think I was going to die. No power steering or brakes. Took all I had to make the turn on the exit. Huge arse tires on the front were hard as shite to turn.

And my car in highschool didn't have power anything, but this was worse.

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Just talked to Jason, said I probably need to have the whole rack replaced and that I’m looking at 600-700 total parts and labor. Not nearly as bad as I was expecting

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I was hoping that wouldn't be your situation but I am not surprised. Had the exact same issue on back in the 70s with a ford rack and pinion with power assist. The hydraulic arm on the right side developed a nick/rough spot and would cause a tear in the seal. I don't recall for certain if I had to replace the whole unit or was able to polish the arm or replace just the hydraulic portion but I think the cost of the whole unit plus labor was as cheap as trying to fix the problem otherwise.

600-700 doesn't seem horrid at all.

Lol no

You can make it anywhere you want to go, for as long as you want to go, with a power steering fluid leak.

the steering will just get real hard when its runs out, gets real noisy when it gets low.

PS fluid is transmission fluid so just keep a couple quarts with you for the trip.

AND GET IT FIXED ASAP its not a safe thing to do trying to drive it with fluid spilling out like that which could cause traction issues with your tires

big thanks to the guys at K&M, they were awesome. replaced the PS rack in one day, $679 before tax, $754 out the door. I had them check everything and told them to fix anything that needed fixing, but they said that belts looked good and heater wasn't worth fixing since im trading it in soon. they're honest and wont try and fix every little thing. highly recommend.