Power Steering - 1987 Milano

[michael_santarella@xxxxxxxxxx]

     Time to fix the power steering system on my 1987 Milano Platinum; wife 
     refuses to drive vehicle without it. First some background, I 
     purchased the vehicle with the power steering belt removed; assumed 
     the rack went bad, leaked all of the fluid, and killed the pump. At a 
     salvage yard I came across a crashed Milano of the same year with 50K 
     miles on it. I swiped the power steering pump, ABS pump, and ABS 
     "master cylinder" for $130. I heard a few people mention that they 
     only replaced the rack bushings rather than replacing the rack. The 
     bushings are apparently only sold in Europe. Is this procedure done 
     with the rack still on the vehicle? Speaking to Ed at DiFatta Bros. he 
     mentioned that the racks go bad because the shafts slide in the 
     aluminum housings without bushings; i.e. aluminum housing wears and 
     rack leaks. When you buy a factory rebuilt rack the housing is 
     machined and new bronze bushings are installed. Is this correct? If 
     so, how does just replacing the seals solve the problem or are you 
     just buying time? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
     
     Michael Santarella

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