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SweetDoug
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| Posted: Dec 19 2012 at 10:00pm | IP Logged
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Yup.
I am slack-jawed.
My mechanic got a quote for $2200 bucks for a new one from a dealer in Toronto.
I don't need the diamond encrusted, gold plated one, just the crappy old box that get's sprayed with dirt and stuff.
The steering box is leaking. It's gone from a drip that takes 4-6 weeks 2 years ago, to having to fill the PS fluid reservoir in about 1-2 weeks.
I thought it was time to fix.
Yikes-A-Doodle.
This is a scam. I called another dealer and they quoted me $1100 for a new one.
The parts guy figured I should be able to replace the seal or something.
Does anyone have any experience with this problem? What were the fixes? Can you replace the seals?
Nobody in the Toronto area has any wrecked Frontiers. (2003 2.5 litre, XLS extended cab.) Any leads on used parts would be great. I'm sure I can pick one up from down south and ship it for a little less than $2200, considering I bought the thing in Texas for under 10 grand 5 years ago!
Any help on this would be appreciated.
It's a great truck, but I'm kind of stuck wondering if it's worth fixing.
Thanks guys,
SweetDoug
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Boomer
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| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 6:11am | IP Logged
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Havbe you tried adding some seal swelling PS fluid? I think most Frontys use ATF but at this point, what the heck? Prestone makes a PS Stop Leak.
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2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4
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2003 Saturn L-300 sedan
2013 VW Passat TDI
State College, PA
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lakota
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| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 9:52am | IP Logged
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..
The steering box Probably has worn particles of metal in it that can eat the seals. If boomer’s idea doesn’t work you might try adding a Thixotropic gear oil.
Check the link and google Thixotropic Gear oil
http://vehiclesofvictory.com/2010/11/10/thixotropic-grease-a -great-solution-in-some-instances/
Good Luck.. Don S..
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PLEASE >>> A SIG similar to mine can be VERY HELPFUL to all the members!
'99 4x4 3.3 Frontier Se KC Auto, 48,000 miles
'76 4x4 401 Wagoneer QT
'04 FWD 1.8 Sentra '08 FWD 2.4 Camry LE
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SweetDoug
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| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 10:35am | IP Logged
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Yup, tried the PS seal sweller stuff. Worked for about a year, but the drip came back. Never heard of the thicksotrop fix.
Will look at this too.
Found a unit at Canadaparts.ca for $360.
Should be able to get seals for this unit and fix it that way too. Going to dealership that has them for sale for 1100 instead of 2200 today to speak with parts manager about this.
Will get back to you fellers.
SweetDoug
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frontierguy
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| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 6:50pm | IP Logged
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The problem is not so much with the seal as it is with the
shaft, it becomes rusted and pitted, unable to maintain a
good sealing surface. Lucas makes excellent products also.
Just plain brake fluid added will also swell the seals.
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SweetDoug
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| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 8:04am | IP Logged
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Newbie question,
You say adding brake fluid to the PS fluid will swell the seal. Your little note at the side says you're a master mechanic.
I'm know nothing about the real sneaky fixes and such on vehicles. I've added the seal swell stuff from over the counter and it worked for a bit. Brake fluid obviously won't harm the PS assembly (now that I think about it, why is there any difference between brake and PS fluid?) so how much would I add?
Also, I woke up this morning and now wonder if it wasn't the hoses and such going into the steering box itself and not the box, that was leaking, but from the reply you gave me, it sounds like it's pretty much the box all the time.
I have to trust my mechanic had a good look. I'd hate to drop 4-500 bucks when it was only a hose that needed tightening. I've had bs like that before. (You need a new manifold when it was only the abestoes seals joining the manifold and the muffler on an old toyota celica, when I was a kid. Lernt that one good.)
SweetDougt
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SweetDoug
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| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 8:07am | IP Logged
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Also!
'Shaft becomes rusted and pitted".
I've often wondered why all this stuff, is exposed under my truck (or any for that matter.) would it help in general if I just slapped a big sheet metal cover over all the area to stop all the crap spraying up on it? (Toronto boy here. Salt. Sand. Snow.)
And it was a truck from Texas! It was 5 years old when I bought it and it looked like it rolled off a showroom floor!
Not so much, now…
SweetDoug
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Boomer
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| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
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Be careful with your sheet metal idea or you can affect the cooling of the engine in a harmful way. Best to stick with metal protectors provided by the manufacturer or a good aftermarket provider.
Am\nd you may be right about the hoses leaking. My wife's Saturn started leaking PS fluid at the reservoir about three years ago. Verdict: a new reservoir. Not much money but turned out the hose clamp holding the hose to the bottom had loosened. It mimicked a cracked reservoir when the resorvoir was fine.
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2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4
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2003 Saturn L-300 sedan
2013 VW Passat TDI
State College, PA
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frontierguy
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| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 7:56pm | IP Logged
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The brake fluid at best is just a temporary fix when people
have no money for repairs, you only need to add 3-4 ozs.
Did you try cleaning it off and then running the engine and
turning the wheel back and forth to see were the fluid is
coming from? These vehicles are also known for the lines
rusting out that run along the bottom of the radiator
support. It is best to clean the area off with brake
cleaner or power washer and recheck for the source of the
leak.PS we like to be referred to as "technician" not
mechanic. Thanks.
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'10 Altima SL
Traded 08 Frontier for 16 Frontier SV CC Long box, quite an upgrade. I do miss the 6 speed and Dynomax ex.
Nissan Technician 25 + years
2011 John Deere X720SE
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Boomer
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| Posted: Dec 22 2012 at 6:37am | IP Logged
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Frontierguy, if you are a Charles Bronson fan, "mechanic" has a whole different connotation!!
Merry Christmas, by the way, and a Happy New Year. Thank you for sharing your expertise on this board as it is always most welcome!!
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2007 Nissan Frontier SE 4X4
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2003 Saturn L-300 sedan
2013 VW Passat TDI
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Nissan Frontier Forums : Problems / Technical
Topic: Steering Box Leaking $2200 to Fix?! Help!
