Help!!! Power Steering Problem

[s60rflyr]

Hey everyone, I am new to the forum but I need some major help!! My 1997 Explorer used to drive great! But I think I may have hurt something off road. (I fell in a hole with it). Although nothing at the time seemed to show signs of a problem, now a few days later I have numerous problems. 1. The truck is leaking but I can't exactly find out where from. It looks like somewhere over the front diff. But it is alot of fluid!! 2. When I turn the wheel, there are spots in both directions where it is REALLLLLY hard to turn past. I thought it was just mud but I washed it for hours and it is still doing it.

I thought the issue was the power steering, but it isn't leaking power steering fluid because the resiviour is still full. I am in college and can't afford to just take it to a shop...they wanted a $200 fee to look for the problem and assess it. Can anyone help PLEASE!!!

Every little bit helps!!

Thanks!!!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Thanks for becoming elite! You could remove the fill plug on the differential to check the fluid level. What color is the fluid? Red fluid would be coming from the power steering, and not from the differential.

 

[s60rflyr]

I checked the diff and it was perfect. The power steering fluid was like a dark engine oil color so I drained it and replaced it. The turning seems to have gone back to normal but it is still leaking really badly but none of the fluids I see are disappearing..

 

[StryctNy9e]

try to narrow it down on what kind of fluid it is leaking, almost sounds like power steering fluid, above the axle and hard to turn. Power steering fluid is basically transmission fluid if you did not know so check if it is red/pink. Also check all the fluids and there levels. clean the block and try to trace the origin of the drips. Let us know what you figure out.

 

[Blee1099]

If you went thru mud w/o extending your breather lines you may have filled the diffy, transfer case, transmission, etc with contaminants. Best way to determine where the leak is coming from is to wash off the underside with simple green or similar heavy cleaner and rinse off.. Then place the rig on some cardboard and see where the leaks come from. If its from the front it could be either the front differential or the power steering pump. With your steering issue, make sure your not turning the wheels with the engine off, cause you'll be spraying fluid out of the pressurized reservoir.

 

[s60rflyr]

I cleaned the entire truck off and sprayed simple green. There is a mixture of clear and red liquids. When I look underneath it looks like my rack may have given out but the liquid is above that in certain places. The problem is, the top off for the power steering doesn't go down. None of the fluids have gone down. If it is the rack, could it just be a seal or should I replace the whole rack?

Thanks everyone!! You are really a great help!!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Did you turn the steering wheel with the engine off? This will cause fluid to come out of the small hole on the power steering cap.

 

[s60rflyr]

I can't turn the wheel more than 1/8 of a turn or it locks and the whole front end is soaked, could turning it burst a line though?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The reservoir would be empty if a line broke.

 

[s60rflyr]

BACK IN SERVICE!!! The line from the pump to the rack split open causing the leak and there was mud and a stick in the rack not allowing the tie rods to move. I think it may have damaged it further as the steering is still a bit tight but for now, the leaking is gone.

 

[Blee1099]

Let me just warn you now, becareful of going mudding in areas that are otherwise off limits. Alot of the agencies here in Maryland are quick to impound vehicles for trespassing. I've seen and heard them impound vehicles for going off pavement in areas like construction sites, farms, etc.. Hate to see you get stuck with a tresspassing charge plus getting your vehicle impounded.

 

[s60rflyr]

Thanks for the heads up! I had no idea MD was that crazy about it! I try to stay in legal areas but I don't always. I live by Travis Pastrana and typically use his trails as I have a waiver signed and the trails are awesome!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! I'm surprised that the reservoir didn't run dry with such a bad leak.

 

[s60rflyr]

So I drove it for a week with no problems, then the steering got tighter than ever so I took it apart. The shaft that connects the steering column and the rack and pinion went up. I think it was wounded from the normal wear and tear then bent and eventually broke after off roading it. The part from ford is $400. I got it for 80 at a local auto salvage yard and now I am putting it and a rebuilt rack in it. GEEZE! a lot of work to do it all too! By the way, if anyone needs parts, there is a local guy here in MD that rebuilds them with a lifetime warranty and is really fairly priced! To get a rack anywhere else was 250 with a 200 dollar core charge. He charged me 126 and a 100 dollar core charge. Thank you everyone for the help! I will let you all know how it drives tomorrow when I get it running again!!!