Stearing leak

[tercle]

I have had to top off the power steering fluid a lot lately.
The other day, I had to peg the steering wheel all the way to the left to back into a space in a parking structure, and I found a big puddle of Dexron just below the outer end of the left rubber boot.
So, what are the repair and replace options?
These Tercel wagons have been my first power steering cars, so I know zero about power steering

[xirdneh]

when mine went i replaced the whole unit
taking one apart and trying to fix it did not seem to be worth it
but if you do
make a video
please

[Gottolovem]

As stated above replace the entire rack.
I have a good one for a fair price if you can't find one.

[Petros]

I have not tried it, but it seems just replacing a seal should not be that big a deal. but if it means completey taking it apart than I too would reconsider.

you might try the power steering stop leak adaptive, worth a try. It softens and swells the seal to stop leaks, worked on our buick, but it was just forming a wet spot on the boot, not an active leak. but a lot easyer and cheaper than swaping out a rack.

[tercle]

How do you go about disconnecting and reconnecting the hydraulic lines?
Do they have fittings like flexible brake lines?

[tercle]

Flare nut wrenches?
And are all the Tercel wagon steering units interchangeable?
Or is the 4x4 type different than the FWD type?

[xirdneh]

i have removed parts from all types of tercels with the same front end look, they all had same kind of fenders and hood.
the steering racks, axles, front wheel Hubs, inner/outer tie rod ends, sway bars and its bushings all looked the same to me. there is a difference, between some cars, in the knuckle that goes between steering rack and end of steering column.
ball joint and control arms are the same.
2wd front shocks are 1" shorter in over all length than 4wd, they can be used on 4wd but front end alignment will be needed.

[Petros]

I am fairly certain the steering racks are the same on all second gen Tercels, I think I have even swapped them from 2wd to 4wd cars before.

[tercle]

Do you have to pull the steering column to separate the steering coupler from the box ?
And what tools can you use to separate it ?

I have pickle forks and a makeshift 17mm flare nut wrench. Big screwdrivers and hammers and penetrating oil.
Is that enough ? Do you have to lift the engine or anything ?

[xirdneh]

you do not have to mess with the steering column
i have read here that some members got the rack out without removing crossmember under engine
i tried but ended up removing crossmember and pulling engine up a bit
extra work but made it easy to get out and re-install

undoing hoses was no problem with basic wrenches

[marlinh]

Once you pull the bolt out at the bottom of the coupler, you loosen the nut and bolt above it. The coupler then 'slides' up the steering shaft. Sometimes you have to encourage it with gentle taps with a hammer. I have pulled the rack out without removing the crossmember. It is easier if you lift the engine a bit.

If the engine had lots of oil leaks the rack bushing on the drivers side is usually swelled up with oil damage and can be a bear to reinstall the bracket.

[ARCHINSTL]

Once you pull the bolt out at the bottom of the coupler, you loosen the nut and bolt above it. The coupler then 'slides' up the steering shaft. Sometimes you have to encourage it with gentle taps with a hammer. I have pulled the rack out without removing the crossmember. It is easier if you lift the engine a bit.

If the engine had lots of oil leaks the rack bushing on the drivers side is usually swelled up with oil damage and can be a bear to reinstall the bracket.

See:
https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=6519
and
https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php? ... ing#p16379
AND (skip down a bit to see the pix):
https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php? ... ack#p51050
Tom M.

[tercle]

I pulled a steering rack from a donor car today.
I have been searching in a FSM and the online FSM, and I can't find the torque specifications for the two clamps that attach the rack to the crossmember.
Seems like it was a lot - well over 100 ft-lbs.
At least to remove it it felt like it was.

[ARCHINSTL]

43 ft-lbs. Page SR-14 of the FSM for MS and same for PS (page SR-36).
Tom M.

[dlb]

I pulled a steering rack from a donor car today.
I have been searching in a FSM and the online FSM, and I can't find the torque specifications for the two clamps that attach the rack to the crossmember.
Seems like it was a lot - well over 100 ft-lbs.
At least to remove it it felt like it was.

BETTER START HITTING THE GYM BRO



haha jk. i love that one.