Power Steering Pump O Ring

[mekelly]

The original power steering pump on my 1994 Explorer is leaking fluid right where the large nut is connected to the pump (where the high pressure line is connected).

It looks like its a fixed nut and maybe the plastic is cracked, but I haven't taken had a chance to really look at it yet.

Is it a fixed nut or is there an O-Ring that could be leaking there?

If a fixed nut then sounds like I need a new pump. If an O-Ring, a much cheaper repair! Thoughts?

 

[natenkiki2004]

You can't replace the o-ring inside of the nut/flared tubing. You gotta replace the whole hose. I got mine to limp along by using hefty amounts of teflon tape along the threads and it still seeped but it didn't drip as before. Just replace the hose, you'll be happier and it's a great opportunity to flush the system.

Also, do yours sooner rather than later. ATF leaking down onto other rubber items is not good. Mine leaked for ages and when I went to replace the sway bar bushing... well... this is what the two factory bushings looked like side-by-side when I removed them. Guess which one was on the driver's side, under the power steering...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u...rer/Pictures/CameraZOOM-20140824142009037.jpg

 

[mekelly]

Thanks.

I'll try changing the hose, hopefully that will fix it!

When I looked underneath the pump with a mirror, the fluid was visible right where the large nut is attached to the pump itself. I didn't see fluid where the hose screws into the nut so not sure if the plastic is cracked where the nut is attached or the O-Ring is leaking.

But makes sense to try the hose first. If fixed, great. If not, I'll need to change the pump and would change the hose anyway.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/94xiy7ydqi6pok2/PSPump.jpg?dl=0

Thanks again.

 

[natenkiki2004]

Oh, I misunderstood. Try to look underneath some more. Here's what mine looked like:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20131110_121006.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/IMG_20131110_120942.jpg

You can see, the area around both nuts is clean, because the ATF cleaned it but you can also clearly see the ATF between the line and the nut that tightens the line. If you're 100% sure that area is bone dry and that it's the nut that goes on the pump, that might be a slippery slope.

I ended up changing out my whole pump because I broke off the return line nipple. The pump had to come out to replace the reservoir and it was only about $60 or so for a whole new reman pump. The plastic on the reservoir gets VERY brittle with age and I didn't want to mess with it any more. The two hoses were about $30 total so for $90, I have a worry-free system:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/464376/vehicles/1991 Explorer/Pictures/P1010388.JPG

 

[mekelly]

Thanks. In double checking, there is some fluid around the nut on the pressure line. Now I am thinking it is the O-Ring that's leaking.

Do you remember off-hand what size wrench you had to use to loosen that nut? The largest box wrench I have is 5/8 and it's just a little too small.

 

[BKennedy]

The nut that attaches the hose fitting to the reservoir is, I believe, 18mm. If you can replace just the O-ring on the fitting, please post the results. I have the same issue and was thinking of purchasing a new reservoir, until I noticed they don't come with the fitting already attached so it really would not solve the problem.

 

[mekelly]

Will do but I think I am just going to replace the hose. It comes with a new O-ring and it costs $16 at NAPA.

I'll update the thread when I do the work. I am in Atlanta and they're forecasting a couple of cold days around here (not nearly as cold as some parts of the country), so it will probably be later next week or after Thanksgiving.

 

[natenkiki2004]

I seem to recall buying a 11/16" crows foot to use on a torque wrench. It probably is MM but that's just what I measured. I'll go check in a bit. Seems to me though that the fittings on the pressure line are both different as is the fitting on the return line. 3 different sizes as I recall. Torque is pretty darn important on the swivel fitting going into the reservoir. It's meant to move with the suspension.

 

[tmwalsh]

The large nut on the side of the pump holds the spring loaded overpressure relief valve in place. It has an O-ring that can be replaced separately, from memory.
You can buy a 'reseal kit' from Ford for some pumps which will include multiple O-rings and seals. The one I had included a large LARGE O-ring that went around the diameter of the pump and allowed me to re-seal the reservoir. (which was the leak/seep point)
tom

 

[mekelly]

Ended up replacing the pressure hose and the pump for good measure. The nylon washer on the pressure hose was torn so probably could have gotten away with a cheaper repair but it was the original pump and for $47 it was an easy decision.

No more leaks!

 

[mekelly]

One other note that I hadn't seen emphasized much and is common sense but make sure to take the time to ensure the reinstalled pulley aligns with your other pulleys. It's very easy to be 'a little off' and cause all kinds of problems with your belt and bearings!

 

[mekelly]

Both power steering pump fittings (pressure and return) on the steering gear box have very slight leaks after I replaced them.

I did not use teflon tape but will take them back off and try again with tape. Neither hose came with an o-ring on that end and the ones I removed didn't have o-rings so I am assuming they're not required.

Does anybody know if teflon tape is called for?

 

[natenkiki2004]

Teflon tape isn't usually used to seal but rather to make it easy to remove the fitting later. It creates a barrier so the two threads can't rust/corrode together. I don't think it's required and I don't think I used any. There's a little teflon ring on the swivel nut and then inside, between the inner wall of the nut and the hard line itself is an o-ring. I'd imagine there should be an o-ring on the large nut that holds the reservoir on.

 

[mekelly]

The pressure hose had the teflon washer on the nut that screws into the pump and is not leaking (that's where the leak was on the original hose). The ends of both hoses that connect to the steering gear box did not have any o-rings on them (nor did the ones that I removed that I can tell). Both those connections have small leaks. They're seeping between the nut and the metal tubing end of the hose.

I will disconnect both connections and re-install them. Any idea about the torque settings for those fittings?

 

[Tbars4]

..I have been going thru this issue of PS leaks myself (all within 2 weeks argh) and with the truck nearing 300,000 mi. and the system OE..

..Started off I had a hose leak so I bought the seal (o ring kit for a few bucks) and wound up replacing both hoses...The fitting on the Hi pres hose was destroyed on the threads like it had been abused multiple times..

..This fix quickly led to the seal on the steering gear box above the pitman arm going out. I bought that kit and had a fun day of trying to get the pitman off and replaced the seal..

..Come to find out I have a leak at the big metal hi pres hose nut to the PS pump as I can not keep the metal nut tightened (locked in)within the plastic housing so I'm going to replace the OE pump too..I thought about replacing the rear plastic but figured that might lead to another issue and if I'm doing the much work and the cost savings is minimal, I might as well have a new steering pump with a warranty too.

I will disconnect both connections and re-install them. Any idea about the torque settings for those fittings?

..These are tapered fittings and you will be better just snugging them up a little tighter to resolve the small leak than taking them apart and trying again..

....Teflon tape I recommend Never using as it can cause more trouble. These fittings do not need teflon tape. Save yourself some future headaches and toss the teflon tape, head down to home depot and grab a little bottle of the teflon paste for future emergencies.

..A Teflon paste is a good thing to have around in lew of teflon tape for all kinds of leak emergencies (gas, oil, air, water, etc.) but for power steering repairs it is better to just fix the problem than put a band aid on it as it will leak again sooner or later...

 

[mekelly]

Thanks for the great reply. I'll try just tightening them up a little bit first and keep my fingers crossed!

I originally had the exact same leak and came to the same conclusion; for a little more money I'll just replace the original hoses and pump and have a much more reliable vehicle!

 

[Tbars4]

..No problem and did you fix the leak?

..For those looking for a bit more information, this thread may be of some help too..

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240227

 

[mekelly]

Fixed!

I took your advice and just tightened up both hose connections at the steering gear box. I wrenched it fairly hard and now have no leaks any more!

Thanks!

 

[Tbars4]

Glad to hear it was a cheap and easy fix..:biggthump