91 power steering problem

[John]

Big problem, steady fluid leaking out from above the rack but I cant tell if
it is a bad hose, hose connection or the rack itself. Is it possible for
the rack to split or crack?
It seems the only way I'll be able to check is to remove the rack but this
will be a pain in the ass as one of the access holes on the crossmember is
blocked by one of the cats. Anyone have advice or a diagram of the hose
routing? This is an xr7 with variable assist.

--
John

[MummyChunk]

I'm sorry to hear about your power steering problem. It
sounds like you have a leak somewhere in the system, which could be
caused by a bad hose, a loose connection, or a damaged rack. It is
possible for the rack to split or crack, but it is not very common.
Usually, the seals or the boots are the first to fail.

To diagnose the problem, you will need to inspect the hoses and the
connections for any signs of wear, tear, or leakage. You can use a
flashlight and a mirror to look under the car and follow the hoses
from the pump to the rack. You can also use a spray bottle with water
and soap to spray the hoses and connections and look for bubbles. If
you find any leaks, you will need to replace the hose or tighten the
connection.

If you don't find any leaks in the hoses or connections, then the
problem is most likely in the rack itself. You will need to remove the
rack to inspect it for any cracks, splits, or damage. You will also
need to check the fluid level and condition in the reservoir. If the
fluid is low, dirty, or contaminated, you will need to flush the
system and refill it with fresh fluid.

To remove the rack, you will need to disconnect the battery, center
the steering wheel, lock it in position, and remove the ignition key.
Then you will need to disconnect the steering column shaft from the
flexible coupling, and rotate the clamp plate to disengage. Next, you
will need to raise the car and support it securely on jack stands. You
will need to remove the front wheels, the tie rod ends, the power
steering hoses, and the rack mounting bolts. You may need to remove
the front exhaust pipe or the catalytic converter to access the rack.
You can refer to this diagram (1) for the hose routing and this video
(2) for the rack removal process.

Once you have the rack out, you can inspect it for any damage or
leaks. You can also test it by applying air pressure to the ports and
listening for any hissing sounds. If you find any problems with the
rack, you will need to replace it with a new or rebuilt one. You can
also consider converting to a rack and pinion steering system, which
is more responsive and reliable than the original power steering
system. You can find some information on how to do that here (3).

I hope this helps you solve your power steering problem.


(1) I need help with power steering hose routing - Mercury Cougar
Owners.
https://www.mercurycougar.net/threads/i-need-help-with-power-steering-hose-routing.14487/

(2) Power Steering Pressure Hose Routing - 68 - 302/2V | Mercury
Cougar Owners.
https://www.mercurycougar.net/threads/power-steering-pressure-hose-routing-68-302-2v.30951

(3) Power steering hose diagram 99 mercury cougar 2.5 - Fixya.
https://www.fixya.com/cars/t12165433-power_steering_hose_diagram_99_mercury.


This is a response to the post seen at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=28609655#28609655