2008 Honda Accord 2.4 AT | Power steering fluid leak gets worse when turning, rack already replaced
Hi everyone,
I have a May 2008 Honda Accord 2.4 i-VTEC Automatic in Pune, India, and I'm trying to diagnose a recurring power steering fluid leak.
The steering rack was replaced previously with a used/reconditioned rack. I paid around ₹15,000 for it, so it was definitely not a brand-new Honda rack. After the replacement, the steering worked fine for some time, but the fluid leak has now returned.
Here are the symptoms I've noticed:
- When the engine is OFF, I can fill the power steering reservoir and the fluid stays there.
- Once I start the engine, the power steering pump starts working and the fluid begins leaking.
- The leak becomes much worse when I turn the steering left and right, especially during city driving where there is a lot of steering input.
- On the highway, where I'm mostly driving straight, the leakage seems considerably less.
- There is also a whining/weird noise from around the power steering pump/steering system, especially when the fluid level gets low.
- Currently using car by refueling the steering oil now and then.
- I have not yet been able to identify the exact point where the fluid is coming from.
Honda's official service centre previously indicated that replacing the steering rack can cost close to ₹1 lakh, which I would really like to avoid if the actual problem is something repairable such as a seal, O-ring, hose, fitting, pump or rack seal.
So my questions are:
- Based on these symptoms, does this sound more like a steering rack seal, power steering pump, high-pressure hose/fitting, or something else?
- Is there a proper way to pressure-test the system and identify the exact leak source before replacing anything?
- Has anyone with an 8th-gen Accord had a similar problem and successfully repaired/resealed the rack instead of replacing the entire unit?
- Since I'm in Pune, does anyone know a trustworthy independent mechanic who is experienced with older Hondas/Accords and can diagnose/rebuild the hydraulic steering system instead of immediately recommending a complete rack replacement?
I'm mainly looking for advice from people who have dealt with this issue before. I don't mind spending money on a proper repair, I just don't want to replace a ₹1 lakh component if a much smaller part is actually causing the leak.