Power steering

[skatermania88]

Ok so my power steering leaks... somewhere. It's leaked forever and I just kept putting more in, but now I'm sick of messing with it. So I took it to the car wash and blew off all of the grime under the hood. Now I can see where it will start up again, but is there any really common places that I should keep an eye on or just watch the whole system?

 

[Creager]

The pressure line (the line that comes horizontally out on the side of the pump) has an o-ring on it RIGHT at the pump. This is the most common area to leak.

The Return line is rubber at the end (comes out vertically on the bottom of the pump), I’d imagine if you live in an area where salt is present on the road during the winter months, that is could be an issue.

The Steering gear has a couple seals on it. But it’s not very common for it to leak here.

You can put a special dye in the ATF so you can tell exactly where the leak is. 9/10 it’s from the 0-ring on the pressure line.

Power steering pumps will last forever aslong as you keep fluid in it. Once its dead, its a matter of days (actually, weeks) before it locks up your whole pulley system, leaving you stranded. It dies like a flaming cat, mucho smoke.

 

[Darrman]

There is also the shaft seal, if you are slinging fluid then its more than likely this one. I replaced mine, not too hard but it requires pulling the pump out.

 

[Josh]

The sector shaft seals can go. I just replaced mine with a rebuild set from Napa. Well the seal just blew out today again! :fire: This was seal #2. The firs time I did it, I messed up the seal. The second time it went about 3 weeks before the preasure seal blew out at the grocery store. Some kid is gonna need alot of kitty litter.