Power steering leaking

[Jason94sport]

My power steering seems to be leaking. It's all wet around the bottom of the pump & all the parts below it. Is it the power steering pump that needs to be replaced, or the power steering gear, or all of it? Do I need a new pully?
What type of replacement should I get? A Ford unit or something aftermarket?
How hard is this to replace?

Thanks

 

[DeRocha]

You need to clean the area so you can see where/what is actually leaking. The pump forces High pressure fluid (via high pressure hose) throw the Steering gear and back into the pump (via the low pressure return hose). It could be simple like a loose or bad hose... Once you clean it up and then find the source an appropriate solution can be had.

 

[Jason94sport]

Assuming it's not the hoses. What's more likely to go bad the pump or steering gear?

 

[410Fortune]

Leak = most likely either hoses or O rings.

The pumps wear out for sure, so do the steering boxes, but a leak where you described it is likely just a hose or threaded hose fitting.

 

[Loggerhead]

Jason, I would almost bet that it's the high pressure hose seal where it connects to the pump housing. It's a special seal and made of a material something like nylon. Clean the area around the seal and dry it real good with brakleen or carb cleaner. You will probabaly have to drive it a short distance or either turn the wheel back and forth with the engine running. Either way, check it within a short time from underneath the vehicle and it should start seeping again. I couldn't get the replacement part to seal and ended up installing an o-ring on mine...if this is your leak, it's a relatively easy fix.

 

[marragtop]

I agree in that it sounds liike a hose leaking. Usually if the pump leaks, it will leak out the front seal. Doesn't sound like that's your problem.

 

[Jason94sport]

I'll check it out this weekend sometime.

Thanks

 

[roaldd]

hey man, i had the same problem with my explorer and all i did was tighten up the bolts on the housing and the leak stopped. also, it took me a while to get around to it so i kept a extra bottle of fluid in the engine compartment. keep in mind that it is automatic transmission fluid, not powersteering fluid.

 

[BrooklynBay]

If you could get a hold of a radiator pressure tester with a universal adapter (it looks like an ice cream cone with a flat bottom, with grooves on the sides) you could pressure test the system. They do this on cooling systems. Autozone has this as a loaner tool, or you could get one from Stant, but would be kind of expensive to use only one time (about $70). It does have a couple of uses, so it would be nice to own. I have one. It has a pressure gauge, and a handle that you use to pump up air pressure in the system. If there is a leak, it will start to push out the fluid when the pressure reaches a few pounds. I've also had leaking power steering pressure switches, so check this as well.

 

[Jason94sport]

It's not leaking bad just seeping. I don't see any difference in fluid level. I haven't had the time to look at it, it's on the back burner for now.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Sometimes fluid leaks out of the pressure bleed hole on the P/S cap. If the reservoir looks wet, check to see if there is fluid on the top of the cap.

 

[Creager]

Sometimes fluid leaks out of the pressure bleed hole on the P/S cap. If the reservoir looks wet, check to see if there is fluid on the top of the cap.

thats how the system normally backflushes any excess ATF in the system... You can manipulate this by dry steering from lock to lock, it will force any excess ATF out through the cap.

I haven't had the time to look at it, it's on the back burner for now.

Not the best idea, why, well just went through this =) Its more then likley the O ring on the pressure line where it connects to the pump (which is pretty much what everyone else is saying), i can almost bet money on it. I'd fix it ASAP, because its NO fun when that pump LOCKS up and you are stranded X miles from home. And its MUCH easier to replace the o-ring then it is the pump. Its made of Teflon.

The seals could be bad on the gear, but since ATF is all over the hoses and gear, im sure its the pressure line o-ring.

Aslong as you have power steering, the pump is working. These things either work or they dont, no in between. When it is 'inbetween' you will feel the power steering give out for a second like if you have 'super man' steering. Explorers without power steering isnt that bad to drive, your arms will thank you for it. Just dont let the pump go so dry it LOCKS up. haha

 

[BrooklynBay]

The older P/S caps didn't have that drain hole, only the newer ones. Motormite's Help caps now only come with a hole. They previously came either with, or without one.

 

[Jason94sport]

I'm not driving it & I'm going away so I'll look at it when I can.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have alot to look for it seems...

 

[Creager]

The older P/S caps didn't have that drain hole, only the newer ones. Motormite's Help caps now only come with a hole. They previously came either with, or without one.

Yeah mine doesnt have a hole either, it actually just pops off when the pump does that.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I once added some Lucas stop leak that expands when the pump starts. It started to shoot out of the hole on the cap. I put a screw in the hole to stop it. It popped the cap off when I was driving. I had a spare one, but I was pretty surprised that this could actually happen.

 

[exploderlepracy]

yea carefull with the lucas could be nasty, spray into your fan and blast it everywhere but the transmission fix is wicked stuff!!!

 

[Eaglekeeper61]

Power steering leak

I have a 1991 Explorer XLT 4x4, I had to replace the hoses and the power steering pump to solve my leak problem. My pump was leaking at the front seal and the hoses had deteriorated to the point of leaking. Remember, hoses do deteriorate over time due to oils, heat, fluids wear and tear etc. It was fairly simple to change the hoses and pump at the same time, just 2 extra connections to make.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Which engine do you have on your 91? Which company did you choose for the hoses, and pump? Was it a rebuilt, or remanufactured unit?

 

[Eaglekeeper61]

Thanks for the welcome!!! Bought a reman unit and new hoses from O'Reily's auto parts, about 6 months ago, I dont remember what brand either were. I am seriously thinking about replacing as many hoses and lines as possible/practical with AN fittings. As for the engine, it is the stock 4.0L with stock everything, for now....