I finally got my first steroid epidural today, to treat my ruptured L4-L5 disc in my lower back.The rack has been leaking for a year and a half or so, but I've put off changing it until my back is fixed. I bought a rebuilt rack, new pump and hoses. I ended up using a gallon of synthetic transmission fluid to keep the old unit topped off, and low and behold the rack has almost stopped leaking. It was leaking something awful last month, had to fill it up every day. This week it hasn't required filling, looks like I've got time to heal before I do. Many thanks to the gentleman who suggested synthetic (Spook?).

A get well wish. I put a new (reman) rack in mine about 4 years ago. ZF unit. Driven by the Saginaw pump on my LS power plant -- the steering has never felt better.

My mom suffered from disc issues for decades. One of the things I learned is that while the steroid injections helped give her relief, in the long run they contributed to bone loss in the vertebra which ultimately exacerbated her nerve/pain problems. Because of the bone loss, surgery to brace or fuse the vertebra was not possible. Near the end (last 1.5 years) her only option was massive opioid doses. So -- if you haven't, talk to your medical team about the long term implications of steroid use in your case. And another, closing, get well wish.
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82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek

Same thing happened to my boss. Long term steroid use to relieve one pain led to hip bone deterioration. However you and the doc choose to go forward from here, I hope it works well for you.
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Current rides: 2005 Volvo S80 2.5T, 2003 Volvo V70 2.4NA, 1973 Volvo 1800ES (getting ever closer to road worthiness)

Thanks, Michael, I'll talk to my doctor about that.