Power Steering Possible Leak Location?
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Power Steering Possible Leak Location?
I've pretty much got all the leaks taken care of, the only problem I'm having at present is a tiny (1-2 drops at best) power steering leak. I took care of the major problem, which was a bad sensor, but now I'm stumped as to where this last tiny problem is coming from.
While I was changing out the water pump, I noticed that one of the connections to the PS pump rotated freely. I made sure the connection was tight, and it was, but the fact that it swivels bothers me. I can't find any sign of leakage at that point (or any other, unfortunately, or I'd know what to fix), but I was wondering if anyone could let me know if this connection turns for them as well, or if it's a potential problem site. Thanks.
Picture below:
While I was changing out the water pump, I noticed that one of the connections to the PS pump rotated freely. I made sure the connection was tight, and it was, but the fact that it swivels bothers me. I can't find any sign of leakage at that point (or any other, unfortunately, or I'd know what to fix), but I was wondering if anyone could let me know if this connection turns for them as well, or if it's a potential problem site. Thanks.
Picture below:
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Hmmm...
I've gone through and checked every connection on the PS system I can find, tightened them all, wiped them all clean and they seem to still be clean after I've observed the 'drip'. Unfortunately, there's so much stuff in the way that you really can't tell where the drip is coming from after it runs off of a dozen different things.
I've gone through and checked every connection on the PS system I can find, tightened them all, wiped them all clean and they seem to still be clean after I've observed the 'drip'. Unfortunately, there's so much stuff in the way that you really can't tell where the drip is coming from after it runs off of a dozen different things.
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From: Orland USA
Cephus:
Jack up the front end, Put jackstands under it to hold it up but not to interfere with the turning of the tires. Start the van and have somebody turn the wheels back and forth. All the way to the right and hold for a few sec then all the way to the left, hold.
Repet until you fin the leak or give up <BG>.
Jay
Jack up the front end, Put jackstands under it to hold it up but not to interfere with the turning of the tires. Start the van and have somebody turn the wheels back and forth. All the way to the right and hold for a few sec then all the way to the left, hold.
Repet until you fin the leak or give up <BG>.
Jay
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Originally Posted by Cephus
While I was changing out the water pump, I noticed that one of the connections to the PS pump rotated freely. I made sure the connection was tight, and it was, but the fact that it swivels bothers me. I can't find any sign of leakage at that point (or any other, unfortunately, or I'd know what to fix), but I was wondering if anyone could let me know if this connection turns for them as well, or if it's a potential problem site. Thanks.
Jan Richter
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
It also needs to swivel because of engine vibration and the small shimmy the engine encounters when it is being cranked.
I had to replace this hose pictured on my 96 because that joint leaked and just for the record I want to make sure thats the PS return hose right?
The pressure line is the one that enters the rack from the very bottom in the middle?
I had to replace this hose pictured on my 96 because that joint leaked and just for the record I want to make sure thats the PS return hose right?
The pressure line is the one that enters the rack from the very bottom in the middle?
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Where are you observing this drip, up high in the system, low by the rack or on the ground under the van? Such a slow leak sounds like it could be seepage past the threads. Can you verify the replaced sensor is drip free? Other possibilities would include seepage into the bellows from a rack end seal leak, seepage from the steering box input shaft or leakage from the steering rack return lines. If yours has a P/S cooler, you might check the lines going to that as a possible source.
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
My rack drips very little from the thin steel hose coming out of the bottom of the rack in the middle.
I never touched it since its not such a big deal but I assume that hose utilizes compression fittings and if they're not tight enough they will leak. Also as Aero says it could be seepage through the threads or between the compression ring and the sealing bolt which your only choice there is to tighten the nut and hope it seals. Or replace the bolt and fitting.
I never touched it since its not such a big deal but I assume that hose utilizes compression fittings and if they're not tight enough they will leak. Also as Aero says it could be seepage through the threads or between the compression ring and the sealing bolt which your only choice there is to tighten the nut and hope it seals. Or replace the bolt and fitting.
Last edited by krankshaft; Jul 8, 2005 at 07:43 PM.
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I had a leak on a brand new steering pump. Looked everywhere couldn't figure it out. The fluid reservoir is slipped onto the body of the pump and sealed with an o-ring. Leak actually got better over time, but it was because so much grime built up at the point of the leak it sealed itself off. I discovered that it was coming from the palstic reservoir by doing what you did.
I wiped everything down and then checked the seal, the high press fitting, and the return hose. No sign of a leak. But the very bottom of the reservoir had oil on it. I figured it's got to be b/t reservior and pump body. If you put to much force on the reservoir it can become egg shaped and leak. Finally changed out the pump. I disassembled the old one and could see where it had been leaking directly on the bottom, at one very small location on the circumference of the reservoir. You could try changing just the oring, but for $30 I just bought a new one with a good warranty. Old leaker only had 90 days. No more leak.
I wiped everything down and then checked the seal, the high press fitting, and the return hose. No sign of a leak. But the very bottom of the reservoir had oil on it. I figured it's got to be b/t reservior and pump body. If you put to much force on the reservoir it can become egg shaped and leak. Finally changed out the pump. I disassembled the old one and could see where it had been leaking directly on the bottom, at one very small location on the circumference of the reservoir. You could try changing just the oring, but for $30 I just bought a new one with a good warranty. Old leaker only had 90 days. No more leak.
Last edited by Stavid; Jul 8, 2005 at 07:55 PM. Reason: typos
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Originally Posted by aerocolorado
Where are you observing this drip, up high in the system, low by the rack or on the ground under the van? Such a slow leak sounds like it could be seepage past the threads. Can you verify the replaced sensor is drip free? Other possibilities would include seepage into the bellows from a rack end seal leak, seepage from the steering box input shaft or leakage from the steering rack return lines. If yours has a P/S cooler, you might check the lines going to that as a possible source.
The sensor is perfectly drip free, I cleaned the entire line and it's still spotless. In order to drip from the sensor, it would need to run down the line and it's completely clean. Same with the other lines to the steering gear, everything is clean and tightened to spec.
It's not really a big deal, I'm just planning on repaving the driveway one of these days and would prefer not dripping fluids all over the nice new asphalt.
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From: northern mn
Cephus
On my 93 3.0 the on that has a hose clamp on the back of the pump was leaking and it would run down the hose and drip off of the rack when I finally found it and tightend it up it was all better.
On my 93 3.0 the on that has a hose clamp on the back of the pump was leaking and it would run down the hose and drip off of the rack when I finally found it and tightend it up it was all better.
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Originally Posted by yendor
Cephus
On my 93 3.0 the on that has a hose clamp on the back of the pump was leaking and it would run down the hose and drip off of the rack when I finally found it and tightend it up it was all better.
On my 93 3.0 the on that has a hose clamp on the back of the pump was leaking and it would run down the hose and drip off of the rack when I finally found it and tightend it up it was all better.
