sgtdon
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- September 11, 2009
- Messages
- 136
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- N.W. Ohio
- City, State
- Toledo, Ohio area
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2015 Explorer Sport
As information to everyone. A new problem just occured with my 2004 Explorer XLT 4x4 V8.
The power steering high pressure (metal) line just rusted through and put all my fluid in a stores parking lot.
I parked the car at a stored about 25 miles away from my mechanics shop and it was fine. I made my purchase from a friend, came outside started my vehicle, and started to back up out of the parking area and I could hardly turn the wheel. I stopped the SUV and got out thinking it might be the main belt and smelled fluid. I looked under the SUV and seen fluid all over the ground under my car. I checked the power steering level and it was empty. So the thing must have broke when I pulled up or started my car because there was no trail of fluid coming into my parking spot.
I had it towed to my mechanics shop just down the road from where I live and they checked it over real quick to see what had happened.
PROBLEM: The protective covering around the metal high pressure line (so it does not wear from hitting other items under car)) holds water in it. The mechanic told me that the line was rusted REAL BAD which caused the line to break.
So check your power steering lines to see if the line cover is holding water/moisture or if your line is starting to rust so you do not get stranded for 2 hours waiting for AAA to come and tow you. What a mess /fluid everywhere!!!! Even inside the engine compartment and on the tires, both fronts.
Also Ford and other places do not keep this 2 piece (I believe) part in stock (at least not around here) so plan on a couple days to get it delivered. I broke down Last Friday about 3:30pm and the part will be in today about 2pm.
If there is anything new about this breakdown or other causes I will update post.
UPDATE-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well I just got back with my Explorer and I have to apologies to everyone. I misunderstood my mechanic. The insulation/covering that was around the power steering high pressure line was not factory. The owner before me must have put it on for some reason. My mechanic stated they did not come with insulation/covering on them and that the guy who put it on did not know anything and that is why my line rusted through because it helped hold the moisutre in. So sorry about not having the facts right.
The power steering high pressure (metal) line just rusted through and put all my fluid in a stores parking lot.
I parked the car at a stored about 25 miles away from my mechanics shop and it was fine. I made my purchase from a friend, came outside started my vehicle, and started to back up out of the parking area and I could hardly turn the wheel. I stopped the SUV and got out thinking it might be the main belt and smelled fluid. I looked under the SUV and seen fluid all over the ground under my car. I checked the power steering level and it was empty. So the thing must have broke when I pulled up or started my car because there was no trail of fluid coming into my parking spot.
I had it towed to my mechanics shop just down the road from where I live and they checked it over real quick to see what had happened.
PROBLEM: The protective covering around the metal high pressure line (so it does not wear from hitting other items under car)) holds water in it. The mechanic told me that the line was rusted REAL BAD which caused the line to break.
So check your power steering lines to see if the line cover is holding water/moisture or if your line is starting to rust so you do not get stranded for 2 hours waiting for AAA to come and tow you. What a mess /fluid everywhere!!!! Even inside the engine compartment and on the tires, both fronts.
Also Ford and other places do not keep this 2 piece (I believe) part in stock (at least not around here) so plan on a couple days to get it delivered. I broke down Last Friday about 3:30pm and the part will be in today about 2pm.
If there is anything new about this breakdown or other causes I will update post.
UPDATE-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well I just got back with my Explorer and I have to apologies to everyone. I misunderstood my mechanic. The insulation/covering that was around the power steering high pressure line was not factory. The owner before me must have put it on for some reason. My mechanic stated they did not come with insulation/covering on them and that the guy who put it on did not know anything and that is why my line rusted through because it helped hold the moisutre in. So sorry about not having the facts right.
