I had to change the strut mounts on my 1996 NA 850 wagon. I finished that yesterday, then took the car in to the local Sears for an alignment. They called back to say they couldn't align the car because the rack was leaking and wouldn't hold the alignment. The rack is in fact leaking, but I'm thinking that before I blow a gasket over that I'll try adding some of the stop leak products that have previously been recommended here. The steering doesn't make noise, and requires an additional half pint or less every few months. But I'm curious about the idea that the car can't be aligned because the rack leaks. True?

 

Could be true.

If it is leaking but there is no play between the rack and pinion or elsewhere, then the alignment will hold.

If there is play between the rack and pinion causing fluid to leak out of the rack seals, then aligning it will be a waste of money.

 

+1

A leak by itself isn't any cause for play in the system. Worn components are. Getting an alignment done on a leaking system is only a bad idea if you are going to replace the rack to cure the leak as the replacement will necessitate getting another alignment.