Power Steering Rack Bolt Leak

Tractionless · 01-11-2021, 11:09 AM

Is there a replaceable seal under this bolt (pic) that is on the rear driver side of the power steering rack? Mine is weeping fluid.

The bolt doesn't seem to tighten. I don't see the area listed on Nissan parts fiche nor can I find a section of the service manual addressing the rack.

Thanks for any insight you can lend!!

JARblue · 01-11-2021, 11:36 AM

Unfortunately, it appears to be fairly common. There is no adjustment for the nut. I eventually had my steering rack replaced under warranty.

Something leaking at the steering rack

Rusty · 01-11-2021, 03:15 PM

That's the adjustment for the free play in the rack. You turned it.

sirnixalot · 01-11-2021, 03:23 PM

I have had luck with this stuff on that plug/bolt on another project car in the past. Keep in mind you'll probably have to drain the PS fluid and brake clean the threads in the rack as well as the plug/bolt.

https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...asket-sealant/

Rusty · 01-11-2021, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirnixalot

I have had luck with this stuff on that plug/bolt on another project car in the past. Keep in mind you'll probably have to drain the PS fluid and brake clean the threads in the rack as well as the plug/bolt.

https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...asket-sealant/

Read post 3 please.

abm89 · 01-11-2021, 09:19 PM

I have the same problem. It's not that bad so I just left it alone.

If it dies, it dies.

Tractionless · 01-17-2021, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

That's the adjustment for the free play in the rack. You turned it.

Yep zero ill effect noted. Read of others turning it multiple times and it reviving a worn rack feeling, IE tightens feedback. That wasn't my intent, rather to see if it was loose thus causing the weep. The only negative to turning it that I've read is the wheel not re-centering which it still does.

My solution was to wrap it with a few layers of oil absorbent mat.

Rusty · 01-17-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tractionless

Yep zero ill effect noted. Read of others turning it multiple times and it reviving a worn rack feeling, IE tightens feedback. That wasn't my intent, rather to see if it was loose thus causing the weep. The only negative to turning it that I've read is the wheel not re-centering which it still does.

My solution was to wrap it with a few layers of oil absorbent mat.

I don't know about Nissan's. But on some racks that I have messed with. There is an o-ring behind it. Others had sealant.

Tractionless · 01-18-2021, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I don't know about Nissan's. But on some racks that I have messed with. There is an o-ring behind it. Others had sealant.

10-4 that's what I was initially looking for. Glad i didn't mess up the rack setting, whoops.

NecioVato · 12-05-2024, 09:42 AM

Not to revive an old thread but from what I gather from this thread as well as researching it:
1. This seems to be a 'common issue' and it doesn't hurt the car having it leak - just monitor the PS resevior.
2. Don't mess with the bolt where the leak is happening
3. Typically it is a replace the item vs a repair type of situation.

So wondering - does anyone know what is actually leaking and if one was to look to replace it - what would you do/replace? And if anyone has - how difficult would it be to replace out the piece? I do have a leak and been leaking for a few months now - I know its a 'not a huge deal' but hate the fact that it is leaking - so wondering what would it take to replace it etc? As for like difficulty etc if one has most tools and a quick jack?

Thanks in advance - and sorry for reviving this but thought I would ask bc I couldn't find anyone on replacing it and honestly - this group is so savy when it comes to DIY repairs on the Z - figured I would start here.

WESAM_HiTMAN · 04-21-2025, 10:53 PM

The same here stared to notice the grease coming out of the bolt for the second time now first time was long ago.
There is nothing about this in FSM on how to fix or tighten it by how much ?
Shouldn’t there be a torque spec for this bolt?

Tractionless · 04-26-2025, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESAM_HiTMAN

The same here stared to notice the grease coming out of the bolt for the second time now first time was long ago.
There is nothing about this in FSM on how to fix or tighten it by how much ?
Shouldn’t there be a torque spec for this bolt?

My solution was to wrap it with a few layers of oil absorbent mat.

NecioVato · 04-27-2025, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESAM_HiTMAN

The same here stared to notice the grease coming out of the bolt for the second time now first time was long ago.
There is nothing about this in FSM on how to fix or tighten it by how much ?
Shouldn’t there be a torque spec for this bolt?

I think there are several threads on this - but this thread seemed to address some of the concerns; pretty much not a lot one can do with it etc.

01-11-2021, 11:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 44 Posts: 36,450 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684441	Unfortunately, it appears to be fairly common. There is no adjustment for the nut. I eventually had my steering rack replaced under warranty. Something leaking at the steering rack Optimiser likes this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \|

01-11-2021, 03:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rusty Ronin Samurai - Assassin Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 69 Posts: 35,465 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684438	That's the adjustment for the free play in the rack. You turned it. JARblue and Spooler like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

01-11-2021, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
sirnixalot Track Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Cayman Islands Posts: 685 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 57455	I have had luck with this stuff on that plug/bolt on another project car in the past. Keep in mind you'll probably have to drain the PS fluid and brake clean the threads in the rack as well as the plug/bolt. https://www.permatex.com/products/ga...asket-sealant/ __________________ 2010 Sport - LS3 swap loading 2012 Frontier - BTWTuning VK56DE swap

01-11-2021, 09:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
abm89 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,387 Drives: 11 370Z \| 24 EL450 Rep Power: 64764	I have the same problem. It's not that bad so I just left it alone. If it dies, it dies. Optimiser and justin_boy like this. __________________ Complete Parts List: https://github.com/abm89/ztouge-build

12-05-2024, 09:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
NecioVato Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 328 Drives: 2017 Black Nismo Z Rep Power: 19787	Not to revive an old thread but from what I gather from this thread as well as researching it: 1. This seems to be a 'common issue' and it doesn't hurt the car having it leak - just monitor the PS resevior. 2. Don't mess with the bolt where the leak is happening 3. Typically it is a replace the item vs a repair type of situation. So wondering - does anyone know what is actually leaking and if one was to look to replace it - what would you do/replace? And if anyone has - how difficult would it be to replace out the piece? I do have a leak and been leaking for a few months now - I know its a 'not a huge deal' but hate the fact that it is leaking - so wondering what would it take to replace it etc? As for like difficulty etc if one has most tools and a quick jack? Thanks in advance - and sorry for reviving this but thought I would ask bc I couldn't find anyone on replacing it and honestly - this group is so savy when it comes to DIY repairs on the Z - figured I would start here. WESAM_HiTMAN and filip00 like this.

04-21-2025, 10:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
WESAM_HiTMAN Base Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 1 Drives: 20 370Z Gray 7AT Rep Power: 5	The same here stared to notice the grease coming out of the bolt for the second time now first time was long ago. There is nothing about this in FSM on how to fix or tighten it by how much ? Shouldn’t there be a torque spec for this bolt? NecioVato likes this.

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