Hi all. I have the front end of my truck up on stands, no front wheels fitted, and wanted to check the operation of the steering damper.

http://picasaweb.google.com/SSSimonC...62190422621010

With engine off, I turned the steering full right, checked then full left, probably going from full right to full left in about 5 seconds.
When I was checking the steering damper for full left I noticed fluid had overflowed from the power steering reservoir and was dripping down.

Is this normal?

The PS fluid level seemed to be OK after I cleaned up the spill.

I'm thinking that with the power steering pump NOT operating, turning the steering that quickly somehow caused the overflow - and hoping that there isn't a problem in there.

 

You are100% right on here Simon. This is normal for our trucks.

 

I would check the fluid level again after you get back running and turn the wheels a few times. Don't want to get air in the system.

 

You might want to keep an eye on the cap. When I had to steer mine with the engine off, it blew the cap off and wouldn't stay on properly after that. I had to buy a new one.

 

Thanks all. The cap does seem a bit loose now. I didn't notice anything broken under the cap but will have another look just to be sure.

 

Not to highjack but speaking of our PS caps, was just wondering does our caps have a rubber contact gasket underneath when we put them on?? Or is this for venting of sorts. I never had a gasket on there.

 

I've never had a gasket on mine, they are notorious for being a POS. I've heard many Mustang with this type reservoir wrecked or flipped on road courses with the cap blown off.

 

Yeeesh. I can see another 50c mod coming. Tape the PS reservoir cap on with gaffer tape ensuring that the breather hole remains clear.

 

Yea, mine did the same thing and I snapped the lip on the reservoir, though it still seems to sit on there and doesn't come off I make dang sure to never turn the wheel without the engine running or prepare to clean up the mess.

Les Schwab's learned that lesson too when I scared the crap out of him telling him to not turn the wheel without the engine running. When he asked why I pointed behind the driver's side wheel well and the mess he made. I tried to catch him before he made a mess.

 

Anytime I turn the wheel and the truck was off (like doing a brake job) my cap seems to come off, I tried to bend the tabs back but I Guess I need a new cap. Glad to hear this, just happened to me again.

john

 

Checked my cap after the overflow. There is an O-ring seal in there and the tabs holding the cap down are still present. So no harm done other than the mess.

 

The lid doesn't have a gasket or rubber seal, it uses the plastic on the inside of the lid to seal against the inside of the reservoir neck.