# Rack and pinion replaced on 2002 Ford Taurus but still leaks **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford, taurus\ **Created:** [August 7, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion-replaced-on-2002-ford-taurus-but-still-leaks/94363 "2016-08-07T23:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Millie33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@Millie33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Millie33)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2016, 11:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion-replaced-on-2002-ford-taurus-but-still-leaks/94363/1 "2016-08-07T23:07:37Z")
My 2002 Ford Taurus has 73,000 miles and was in good shape except for a small leak under driver’s side. Has a new rack and pinion replaced one week ago. Have now noticed small leakage again. Also, when the steering wheel is turned it makes a clicking sound…almost like winding a clock. I paid $575 for the replacement and an alignment. Why would it begin leaking again. This is a very comfortable car and has been maintained. ---
**Author:** ![kurtwm1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/13edae/32.png) [@kurtwm1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kurtwm1)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2016, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion-replaced-on-2002-ford-taurus-but-still-leaks/94363/2 "2016-08-08T00:47:00Z")
CV joints. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2016, 12:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion-replaced-on-2002-ford-taurus-but-still-leaks/94363/3 "2016-08-08T00:56:09Z")
Making a clicking sound when the wheel is turned isn’t specific enough. Does that mean while you’re making a tight turn? If so then it is likely a CV joint. And the leak might be as simple as a distorted O-ring. Ford used a white plastic O-ring at the rack and pinion hoses that required heating in a cup of water in a micro wave and once heated immediately stretching it over a tapered punch, then oiling prior to assembly. That connection was often a pain in the neck. Those O-ring connections would be directly below the brake pedal. Of course any leak of the R&P would possibly drip there. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion-replaced-on-2002-ford-taurus-but-still-leaks/94363/4 "2016-08-08T01:36:24Z")
Did you have the shop diagnose the source of the leak or diagnose it yourself and tell them what to change? Clicking while turning is a common dry CV joint symptom, and the grease can leak out if its boot has a rip, which is often between the folds and hard to find. ---
**Author:** ![Millie33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@Millie33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Millie33)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rack-and-pinion-replaced-on-2002-ford-taurus-but-still-leaks/94363/5 "2016-08-08T01:56:28Z")
The mechanic shop diagnosed it, a very reputable business. I did tell them what I had observed the car doing however. I was somewhat surprised that it still clicks when turning left or right and continues to leak. I am returning it tomorrow so they can look at it again. Thanks for your reply.