A few days ago I had a big PS fluid leak. Turned out the return line had been sliced a bit. I had to drive it for a couple days before I could get around to fixing it. The steering is still stiff and the pump whines. Is this an indicator that I need to replace the pump?
View 4 RepliesYesterday while cruising around, my right front tire hit a bumpy rock, it was quite a tough hit, but the car kept cruising well. I parked it one minute later and inspected it, nothing seemed wrong. After 2 hours i came back and looked under it. no oil was dripping or anything, still run well for 10 minutes. then, the steering started to ROAR.
Basically, the car was dripping and no power steering oil was left. I didn't do a full inspection yet. I brought the car yesterday on a tow truck and today is Sunday so no mechanics are open in my country.
I took this picture which represents where all the oil is dripping from. also there's a video [URL] .....
I'll be taking the car for inspection tomorrow, but i want to hear from other MK4 owners if they know where the oil might be dripping from. Ican't state if the dripping happened due to hitting the damn rock...do you think it's related?
Well my car is crapping out lately,
I put a new steering rack in my mk4 1.8t jetta about a week before I parked it for winter. I went out to the garage yesterday and noticed a pool of PS fluid on the ground, I located one very small leak from the bottom banjo bolt on the rack (needs new crush washers, Was in a rush and didn't have time to pick new ones up :bang head: ).
But the part that confuses me is there is a puddle on/under the passenger side subframe, the rack boot appears to be dry, and I don't believe the new rack is faulty, they are supposed to be all tested and approved before reaching the buyer. and when I turn the car on I can't see a leak anywhere even with the wheel off and a decent view of the rack.
I was driving home the other day when i heard a groaning when turning. i stopped to check the power steering fluid at O'PepZone and it was really low. i bought some fluid poured it in while the car was running. it foamed a bit from all the air but then the PSF started emptying out of the reservoir underneath the car.
By the time i got home it was groaning and basically empty of PSF again. when i crawled under the car, i saw a lot of fluid on the passenger (right ) side of the car by the subframe and a little bit by the driver (left) side of the car. the leaks seem to be from the ends of the rack and pinion. no detectable leaks by the hose/hard line connections.
Other than the leak(s), the steering has felt very good. no play to speak of and no weird sounds either.
This makes me wonder if i somehow damaged the seals when i installed my PSS9 coilovers....
The steering fluid pump reservoir has a leak ive been told by my trusted mechanic. The first bout of cold below freezing weather, the steering fluid drains out and I have to refill it. After refilling, I'll have to fill it again in a few days sometimes lasts a few weeks. Might not have the car for much longer. How to cope with this rather than get a (expensive I was told) new steering pump.
View 2 RepliesSo I was late getting ready to go somewhere and knew that my coolant was low and asked my dad to fill it up for me and he accidentally put the coolant in my power steering pump. I don't think it will really effect it.
View 9 RepliesI've lost all power steering about a week ago. I checked all the lines the return is bring fluid up from the pump and the res is flowing into the pump.
A) should I replace pump?
B) look into other things that could be causing the issue?
I drive a 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4x4. I lifted it with a Rubicon Express 3.5" lift and had some drive line vibrations. So, I decided to purchase a slip yoke eliminator and use a rebuilt front drive shaft for the rear. I also starting having steering issues. The pump was leaking and the gear box was shot. Other than it leaking PS fluid all of the time, it wasn't a huge issue and was steering perfectly fine. I had a friend install the SYE, new steering pump and gear box in the same day.
When I drove away, there was a slight rumble from the rebuilt drive shaft and my steering was all screwed up. I could barely turn into a parking space. U-turns were completely out of the question. I assumed the issue was that the new gear box was off center and have been waiting for my friend to have the time to redo the job.
In the mean time, I decided to investigate the rumbling drive shaft on my own. So I removed the front driveshaft and swapped it with the rear. Problem solved! The rumble is gone! I am going to rebuild a different drive shaft for the rear and in the meantime, drive without a front driveshaft. Interestingly, my steering issue has completely disappeared. I can now do tight u-turns and park without a single issue. What the heck is causing the issue?
I have a really small leak coming from the lower end of my power steering hose, it's super small, I was wondering if I could fix this by wiping it down really well and dry, and then layering it with plasti-dip. I think the leak is small/slow enough for me to get in a few good layers. Would this be an okay fix, or would the plasti-dip separate fast?
View 2 RepliesProud owner here of a '96 3.0L RWD Aerostar Utility Van with about 138k miles, and leaking power steering fluid. At this point I'm replacing fluid from zero every time I have to drive it which is about once a week. I've located the leak and it seems to be coming from the pump/reservoir around the pressure hose. The hose is loose as in i can move it around a bit, but from what I've read, this is normal and the hose is supposed to be like that. I figure that at this mileage, with so much air going through the pump, all the crazy squealing and whining it does even when full, at this point it probably makes sense to replace the whole pump while I'm in there, as opposed to just doing the reservoir. Anyway, I'm planning to do this in a couple of weeks, and have some questions...
1) The pump - I've read on this forum that the best way to go on brand of the pump is Motorcraft.
2) Hoses - I'd like to replace the hoses coming out of the pump while I have this thing all taken apart, but I'm not exactly sure what parts to get. I know one is the pressure and one is the return, but there are variations of each based on the research I've done. The parts on the Napa site have different descriptions like "with switch port", "without switch port" "56in hose" "26in hose", and so on. Which ones I need, specifically the ones connecting directly to the pump? I havent been able to find anything in my research online, in Haynes, or Chiltons manuals.
3) Washers - Whether or not I replace the hoses, should I replace the washers at the connection point? Chilton's seems to recommend replacing them. Will they come with the new pump?
My local auto parts shop has the pulley remover/installer for me to rent so I've already got that squared away. I'm pretty sure I've covered all of my bases otherwise.
I am trying to use a ford pump to power a Hydro-boost off a diesel pickup, took everything off same truck. Started it up, ran ok for 5 mins & PS pump fluid boils. No PS box in the system, just the Hydro. Seems like the fluid is not getting out of the pump & circulating either. I figure a blocked pump discharge or blockage in the Hydro. I can shoot air backwards thru the hydro, too hot to touch the pressure side. I had the outlet nut off the pump, could I have blocked the discharge when I put it back?
View 6 RepliesI know I have a leak in my power steering fluid return. I bought the big expensive green jug and top it off when I need to. The past few days, when I start up my car and turn around in the driveway, there's a groan when I turn the wheel in either direction.
View 3 RepliesI have a lexus rx 330. Pump started making noise and low on fluid. We replaced all the belts and new pump. After installing new pump it was leaking from fill cup cap when driving also making a lot of noise on cold start. Mechanic said new pump was bad so we put in another one. Car ran fine as soon as we put it in and bleed good. Following morning again a lot of noise on cold start and noise goes away about 10 minutes but again small amount of fluid leaking from cap on fill cup. I replaced the rubber ring on cap to get a tight seal but again nothing.
View 6 RepliesAcross Internet is lot of examples of using pump, usually drill pump or vacuum. It seam to me that drill pump would work good for that job. Pump that attach to battery have limited amount of power and vacuum pump is manual. Look like a excellent device for transmission fluid change. Clearly no drain screw at pan. I do not think I'm fan of disconnecting return line and live empty tranny.
For example here : [URL] .....
My Camry 2011 (55k miles) had complaints of power steering fluid leak and needs rack and pinion assembly replacement.
I have powertran warranty only, so this one is not covered and when asked for the dealership for estimate, they said it would cost around 1700$.
Can i get this replacement done at local shop, if so will there be any problem to my powertran warranty ?
I have a leak coming from the top of my reservoir from the under the cap for some reason. I bought a new cap and it seem to stop for a day and now it leaking out from under the cap again. What is the reason it would be coming out of there. Am I going to have to replace the reservoir??
View 1 Replies2004 XG350 with the Sigma engine, 133,xxx miles.
In the picture I attached, the large silver bolt is leaking. Its a slow leak: yesterday morning I wiped it off, and then we I got home from work there was a bead of power steering fluid, but not enough to drip.
What is the best way to fix this? Is it as simple as tightening it?
1994 Plymouth Sundance Duster (4 door, automatic transmission) with 97K miles.The power steering fluid leaks every now and then, and sometimes I have to fill it twice in a week. There is some fluid leaked onto the ground.1. What possible causes could these be? (How to diagnose the problems?) and how much might it cost to repair? 2. I need to drive the car ~2,000 miles from Chicago to LA in August. What major checks do I need to do before the roadtrip to ensure a worry-free ride? (I need to fix the A/C for sure). Also, is this car able to haul a U-Haul trailer (5' x 8' in size) with household goods worth a small studio apartment?
View 6 RepliesI am having a heck of a time finding this coolant leak. It drips off the power steering pump. I replaced the upper radiator hose and the heater "y" hose that goes to the bottom of the Degas bottle. I recently replaced the lower radiator hose as well. So the truck runs normal. When the system is under pressure I do not see any leaks. But after the engine is completely cold it starts leaking a small puddle of coolant. Its appears to be coming from the power steering pump. But I am sure its something above or near it. This is on my 2005 Excursion with a 6.0. Can the water pump be going bad and leaking this direction. I would expect a water pump to leak straight down the middle of the engine. What to look for? The thermostat seal stays dry. but it has to be in that area. What is really messing with me is. When it is hot and pressured up It does not seem to leak. Only after it has been sitting for hours and cools off..........What the heck!
View 14 RepliesI had been driving around with gallons of ATF in my trunk for a year until I recently had the power steering pump changed on my 1996 Toyota Camry (which spent many winters sitting outside up in Canada), and now the leak seems worse. I brought it to my mechanic who wants $800 to change a leaky rack & pinion and a hose. But I am but a poor, unfortunate grad student and so I have no more money to put on this old, yet beloved car! So he suggested I put in a combination of ATF and brake fluid, which might slow down the leak. What say you? Will I ruin my newly acquired power steering pump or make matters worse?
View 6 RepliesMy '95 Avalon with 120K miles drive & handles like a Lexus. Had the power steering pump replaced 18month ago. Still has a small leak of power steering fluid. Which lines are likely to leak and how much should it cost to correct this in Colorado?
View 1 Replies