I need help with a leaking power steering system.

[SweetGirl68]

Wanted to say "HI" to everyone here and also what to ask if anyone would be able to tell me how many hoses the power steering system has..

My 93 XLT, had a small leak that has now turned in to a big one, I am adding one bottle a day in the pump and for the most part it looks like the pump its self is not wet and I can not tell how many hoses the system has or for that matter which one is leaking all the fluid..

I did ask a shop bout fixing but with me being female, I would like to know any info that way if I did take it to a shop they did not charge me for things I do not need..

Thank you.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 91-94 section. The system is very basic. You have a power steering pump with a pressure line, and a return line, and a rack & pinion with a pressure, and a return line. Some models have a P/S cooler. The fluid travels in series from the pump to the rack & pinion, and back into the pump.

 

[SweetGirl68]

Thank you for responding to my post, so if I am to understand the leak could possibly be one of the hoses. As I do not see any fluid leaking from the pump.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Do you see any wet areas or sludge from old fluid stuck to hoses or fittings?

 

[shaggymane]

There's only two hoses unless you have the cooler. One pressure and one return line. The return line comes up to the bottom side and just has a light hose clamp on it. Could be that's where the leak is. The originals are the type that use pliers to move, squeeze them to loosen. replace it with one that screws to tighten

I think the cooler is usually close to the pump. It's one U shaped loop that has fins on it.

I just replaced the pressure line (27$ at AZ)on mine the *swivel* fitting where it screws into the pump was leaking, wouldn't tighten.

Take it to a car wash and wash the power steering pump area (only). Engine compartment and under side too. That'll help you be able to see.
The return line has a covering over part of it, which slides around. Make sure it isn't rubbing on the steering box

Hope this helps

 

[gmanpaint]

To find my leak (on my 94) I sprayed a can of engine degrease/cleaner on the lines and entire PS pump, including underneath it. I let it soak overnight, and used my garden hose to rinse it off. I then placed some cardboard under the front end, and waited.

Sure enough the leak had exposed itself and I was able to pinpoint exactly where it was. For my rig, it turned out to be the main seal in the pump. It leaked from underneath the pump.

My short term fix was to fill the pump reservoir with a bottle of Lucas stop leak. It swelled the seal back and stopped the leak.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You could add UV dye to the fluid, and check everything the next day with a UV light.

 

[SweetGirl68]

Wow, so useful info.. thank you all so much. The area that is wet it looks like is where the steering column is and I am not sure what else is in that area.. right now it is leaking a whole bottle of trans fluid as power steering fluid seems to run out faster.

Again thank you all for your help.

 

[92exp4x4]

If its leaking at the steering shaft, then you will most likely need the whole gear box. They are about $180 for a rebuilt unit. Clean the area and run it, turning the wheel back and forth. You should be able to find the leak fairly quickly especially if it leaks like you say. Auto zone carries a really good soap called super clean. Its in a purple bottle and its great stuff, use it concentrated and let it soak in for about 5-10mins, then hit it with a hose or pressure washer

There is a plastic collar/cover thing that clips to the lines and covers the rag joint (a rubber u-joint basically). Remove this, so you can clean there and help see the shaft seal area. Part of it cannot be removed with out first removing the steering shaft from the gearbox, unless you destroy the plastic cover.

These boxes are also bad about the seal going bad at the output shaft, where the pitman arm connects to the box.

Let us know what you find, good luck and Merry Christmas!

 

[boomer75_75]

i had the same problem and i was going to replace the power steering pump but my friend told me about this power steering fluid that clogs the leaks and stops it for good so i went to auto zone and bought a bottle of lucas power steering fluid for $10.00 and it did the job it's been 16 months and still no leaks!!!!

 

[SweetGirl68]

Thank you to everyone that has answered my question, the issue was a bad pressure hose that was leaking...

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!