hello my s80 is broke for about the 5th time this year. anyways. the steering rack is leaking all the fluid all over the place right by drivers front wheel.

How labor intense is replacing the steering rack ?
how many hours would shop charge for this
any details on what to loo

im assuming i will need an allignment afterwards.

should i do this on my own or just have a shop do it ?

should i go to vandsautodismantlers for a used one ?

where should i look for leaks once its lifted.

 

It is most likely leaking from the boot for the inner tie rod.
If you do it I would set aside atleast half to a full day.
A shop will charge about 3 to 4 hours or so.
You can try a used one if you want. But also know that there is 2 different types and if you have the electrical one it will also need to go to the Dealer afterwords for software.

 

if this were the case can you just replace boots etc. ? only used one i found was 300 and it was for one without variable assist. i heard 99 is only year they made it so im sure if i buy new they will be rediculous because of that.

 

NO there is seals under the boots that go bad.
Yes racks very expensive. But you can buy a non-assist and have the dealer download the software to disable the assist.

 

so tech i figured out the problem, decided to get it in the air and fill it with fluid to see where its comin from. the nut on the silver line going into the steering rack was literally pissing fluid..... it was finger tight so i tightened it(not very easy at all to do) and it stopped the leak. I have a feeling the last shop may have been up to something. either way its all fixed now thanks for the help as usual.

 

Glad all is good now.