Power Steering Problems

HI- I've got a 1984 Accord with just above 68,000 miles on it (I know, it's like a brand new antique!) but I've been having a terrible time with the power steering. At some point it seems like someone put standard US PS fluid in it and ruined the seals on the steering rack; it leaks a whole reservoir in about twenty minutes. I've tried all sorts of rehab on it, but none of the commercial products seemed to work so I am currently going without the benefit of power steering now. It's such a light car that it's not that big of a deal unless you're at very low speeds- it takes a little muscle to crank the wheel around but not too bad- my wife can do it, even!

In short, though: am I living dangerously by driving it like a rack and pinion car, or should I bite the bullet and replace the steering rack? And if your advice is the latter, how HARD is it to do on an older Accord? I'm reasonably competent with a toolbox, but I've never had to do anything to a power steering rack before!