A/C and rack and pinion issues

rcpaul · 07-30-2010, 12:51 AM

I have a 95 Accord lx and I was driving for quite a while with the AC on and the passenger side carpet got soaked with water. What would have caused that? Is there possibly leaking from the evaporator?

I have a ripped boot or bellow on the driver side of the steering rack. On the part of the shaft that is inside the boot there is grease, should that be there? If it shouldn't does that mean my rack has leaking seals? To replace the boot I have to remove the tie rod correct? and how do I get the boot clamps off?

TomQuick · 07-30-2010, 06:45 AM

The A/C probably has a plugged up drain tube. You might be able to get to it from the bottom and clear it out with compressed air, not certain as I've never had to do this with the Accord, but our Caravan does that all the time. Sometimes when it rains hard we get a crap load of water in it too.

With the steering rack, I believer there is supposed to be grease there, it lubricates the inner joint end. Buy a new inner end for it. They're a bit of a pain in the arse to change too. You'll have to just cut the clamp that's on there, and if your anywhere near as lucky as me, the new clamp won't go on no matter how hard you try. I wound up using a piece of wire (single stranded stuff) wrapped it around the boot twice, and twisted it tight, then bend the end over. As long as it's tight enough to keep the boot from popping off, it should be good.

rcpaul · 07-30-2010, 08:04 AM

My car did see some dirt road time during the past two days so it makes sense that it could have got clogged.

brsteinbach · 07-30-2010, 09:09 AM

This may be your problem with the a/c.

rcpaul · 08-02-2010, 01:30 AM

The A/C drain was plugged, thanks for posting that video because I initially thought the orange tube was the drain for the A/C.

I still haven't changed the boot but it should go ok as long as I can manage to cut the old clamps, I plan on doing it in the morning after I get some sleep.

TomQuick · 08-02-2010, 07:00 AM

Use a Dremel tool with a cut off wheel (use the fiberglass reinforced one) will cut through those clamps like a hot knife through butter

rcpaul · 08-03-2010, 03:33 PM

I got the boot replaced. Cutting threw the clamps took a little while but it wasn't the hardest part. I had a really difficult time getting the large end of the boot on to the rack. I spent a couple hours trying to slide it on. Eventually I resorted to cutting a plastic cap from an aerosol can to use to spread the boot open more. I just had to slide the piece out and cut it to get it off afterward.

TomQuick · 08-03-2010, 10:11 PM

I didn't have much trouble getting the boot on, but getting that rubber air line attached to it was a problem, and THEN . . . that stupid fucking clamp wouldn't fit, no way, no how. I even had my buddy the mechanic come down and try, and he confirmed that I'm not a moron, the clamp was just to small. I wound up using some wire to seal it up. I hate doing it that way, but he assured me it would be fine, and it's been over a year now. I check it every time I do an oil change, and if it starts to look rusty, I'll replace it, but so far so good.

07-30-2010, 12:51 AM	#1
rcpaul CB7tuner Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UT Posts: 49	A/C and rack and pinion issues I have a 95 Accord lx and I was driving for quite a while with the AC on and the passenger side carpet got soaked with water. What would have caused that? Is there possibly leaking from the evaporator? I have a ripped boot or bellow on the driver side of the steering rack. On the part of the shaft that is inside the boot there is grease, should that be there? If it shouldn't does that mean my rack has leaking seals? To replace the boot I have to remove the tie rod correct? and how do I get the boot clamps off?

07-30-2010, 06:45 AM	#2
TomQuick CB7tuner Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mid hudson valley of New York Posts: 128	The A/C probably has a plugged up drain tube. You might be able to get to it from the bottom and clear it out with compressed air, not certain as I've never had to do this with the Accord, but our Caravan does that all the time. Sometimes when it rains hard we get a crap load of water in it too. With the steering rack, I believer there is supposed to be grease there, it lubricates the inner joint end. Buy a new inner end for it. They're a bit of a pain in the arse to change too. You'll have to just cut the clamp that's on there, and if your anywhere near as lucky as me, the new clamp won't go on no matter how hard you try. I wound up using a piece of wire (single stranded stuff) wrapped it around the boot twice, and twisted it tight, then bend the end over. As long as it's tight enough to keep the boot from popping off, it should be good. Last edited by TomQuick; 07-30-2010 at 06:47 AM.

07-30-2010, 09:09 AM	#4
brsteinbach CB7tuner Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 527	This may be your problem with the a/c. __________________ MRT Daily Dumped

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07-30-2010, 08:04 AM	#3
rcpaul CB7tuner Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UT Posts: 49	My car did see some dirt road time during the past two days so it makes sense that it could have got clogged.

08-02-2010, 01:30 AM	#5
rcpaul CB7tuner Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UT Posts: 49	The A/C drain was plugged, thanks for posting that video because I initially thought the orange tube was the drain for the A/C. I still haven't changed the boot but it should go ok as long as I can manage to cut the old clamps, I plan on doing it in the morning after I get some sleep.

08-02-2010, 07:00 AM	#6
TomQuick CB7tuner Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mid hudson valley of New York Posts: 128	Use a Dremel tool with a cut off wheel (use the fiberglass reinforced one) will cut through those clamps like a hot knife through butter

08-03-2010, 03:33 PM	#7
rcpaul CB7tuner Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UT Posts: 49	I got the boot replaced. Cutting threw the clamps took a little while but it wasn't the hardest part. I had a really difficult time getting the large end of the boot on to the rack. I spent a couple hours trying to slide it on. Eventually I resorted to cutting a plastic cap from an aerosol can to use to spread the boot open more. I just had to slide the piece out and cut it to get it off afterward.

08-03-2010, 10:11 PM	#8
TomQuick CB7tuner Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mid hudson valley of New York Posts: 128	I didn't have much trouble getting the boot on, but getting that rubber air line attached to it was a problem, and THEN . . . that stupid fucking clamp wouldn't fit, no way, no how. I even had my buddy the mechanic come down and try, and he confirmed that I'm not a moron, the clamp was just to small. I wound up using some wire to seal it up. I hate doing it that way, but he assured me it would be fine, and it's been over a year now. I check it every time I do an oil change, and if it starts to look rusty, I'll replace it, but so far so good.