In a message dated 9/24/01 1:24:36 PM, steve_syncro@TECHIE.COM writes:

<< Is something in my power steering system about to die on me? >>

Steve,

I never worried very much about power steering maintenance on most cars I
have owned; parts were reasonably priced and easily replaced.  As you know,
this is not usually the case with the love-hate relationship one has with his
Syncro.

If your rack is dying a slow death, it is usually obvious from the ATF
dripping past the boots when the pressure seals have failed and from the
reservoir needing topped up.  I saw one extreme example of this (not a
Syncro) in which a clamped boot blew out like a tire.

We all know that cleanliness is next to godliness with hydraulics, so a
thorough purification of the system can work miracles.  When I was starting
to get that judder at extreme travel of the rack, I removed the reservoir and
cleaned it and its filter scrupulously.  Then, before I replaced it, I
flushed at least 6 quarts of ATF through the system.  I hung a temporary 1
gal. reservoir above the PS pump and had my son work the steering wheel from
lock to lock with the engine idling while I made sure that the reservoir was
not sucked dry.  Be forewarned, this all happens pretty fast.  It was so
painless and efficacious, I did it again a couple of years later.

In my case, I found the money and time well spent.

Rich