I just purchased a 1994 4x4 explorer and it is leaking power steering fluid. What part could be leaking and how do I go about replacing that part? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

J

 

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I suggest you clean it real good with some engine cleaner so you can find the leak. On my '91 it has a seal leak and it looks like it's gonna be a fairly difficult job involving getting new bolts and possibly an alignment. What I did was put some Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak in it. I was needing to add fluid about every two days. After the first bottle of Lucas it got down to about once a month. After about half of the second bottle it hardly leaks at all. It took several weeks for the stuff to work. Meanwhile I bought the new seal but it'll be a while before I put it in.

If you have a hose leak at the connector I think I read you have to replace whole hose because the seals are not replacable seperately, but I may be wrong.

 

My experience with leaky Ford power steering is that:

1) If it's not leaking now, it will
2) If you try to replace it yourself, you are in for hours of frustration, after which, whatever you didn't replace will then apply rule #1
3) Do the whole system at once & save yourself many, many future headaches, along with, in the long run, some money

My first leak was in the return line. Replaced the return line.
Second leak was at the pump, from the pressure line. Not easy or cheap, so I fed it stop leak.
Third leak was from the rack & pinion unit. Also not easy or cheap, so I fed it more stop leak.

Ultimately, both lines, the rack & the pump needed replacing. Since it had other issues at the time, I traded it for a newer one.

Seriously, unless you have experience doing this, or a LOT of patience, take it to a shop & let them have the headaches. It's not going to be cheap, but if you have to replace one part, and you don't replace the rest of it, including all the fluid, you're just going to end up having to do it later. Doing one piece at a time, you can also end up having to replace the same part more than once.

 

I have a 91 and a 94 Explorer. Both had issues with the PS pump. They are brutal. The best advice I can provide is similar to "ulysses". Remove the pump, check for cracks and leaks, clean the pump, replace the hoses (about $75 in parts) and run Lucas through. Neither of mine leak anymore but they are still more noisy than I'd like. Over time with Lucas they settle down a bit.

A PS pump from a wrecker may be worth the trouble for $20.00. It will likely be better than the one you already have (cleaner too!).

I agree with "jonm61" with regard to Ford PS pumps. They are all problems waiting to happen.