NEED HELP What seal would you call this??

G_Brumble85

Original poster
Member
Sep 21, 2018
3
Oologah,OK
Hello GMT Nation!!
Been searching the interweb pretty extensively but keep coming up with no real answer. Seems you cats are the best group that actually gets their vehicle repairs/questions answered so I'mma see if I can get the correct response.
**This for a 2002 Trailblazer EXT LT**
1st of all, my power steering pump pulley snapped off last week (knew I had a leak but I can live without power steering) & I purchased one from a salvage the next day. Fill 'er up with fluid & realize it was coming right back out. Check my steering gear and see its the culprit. Go get one from the salvage & since it's raining decided to clean it up and inspect. While wiping it down, notice this seal is probably no bueno. So my questions are:
1) what would you call this seal/o ring?(and which is it lol)
2) are these pressure cracks or just from casting?
Appreciate any and all information I get back. Thanks for reading & look forward to hearing back from the GMT Nation!!!
 

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Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
That just looks like the casting imprints if you ask me. IMO it's better to just get a reman rack rather than pull one from a yard. Always a gamble with those, and they might be already on their way to a future leak or other issue. They sell kits though that include all the seals found in the rack, for a rebuild. I have seen that seal before, but have no P/N for it. I just know they had a couple in the seals pack I had a few years ago.
 

G_Brumble85

Original poster
Member
Sep 21, 2018
3
Oologah,OK
Thanks for the info. To be honest if I'd known this was something I could've rebuilt I would've just done that. Kinda figured it was casting lines but just wanted to cover my ass on that part. I agree about getting parts like this from a salvage but I actually know the vehicle this came from (girlfriends TB that was rear ended) & for $40 really couldn't pass it up.
Have a little wheel turning in the ol noggin that I might rebuild the leaking one & hold onto it for future problems. Been told these '02 can only take another '02 rack. Know if that holds true or maybe someone was just blowing smoke?
Again, thanks for the info. Picking up a seal kit in the morning and gonna get knuckle deep in her :wink:
 
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Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
Well at least you know the vehicle it came from, that's way more reassuring for sure.
The 2002 was the only year our platform had 14mm tie rods, everything afterwards was 16mm. That being said, you can swap a 16mm rack and pinion in your rig just fine, but you'd need to use the steering knuckles from a 2003+ GMT360 in order to fit the 16mm tie rods.

https://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=90803
 
Last edited:

G_Brumble85

Original poster
Member
Sep 21, 2018
3
Oologah,OK
Uhhhh, I have 16mm.....knew the EXT had beefier suspension but figured it was to handle to longer/taller vehicle dimensions
 
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Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
Uhhhh, I have 16mm.....knew the EXT had beefier suspension but figured it was to handle to longer/taller vehicle dimensions
Shoot, well whataya know. I just learned the '02 EXT's had 16mm's too. So in your case, you can use any year rack & pinion.
 

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