Leaking Power Steering Fluid

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Apr 10, 2009 | 03:02 AM

senorswanky

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Leaking Power Steering Fluid

Hey Everyone,

I have a 1979 F-250 with a 460 and it's leaking power steering fluid pretty steadily. I know this because I have to fill the PS res about twice per month. I looked at it and there is a metal hose that is loose and fluid seems to be coming out there. It can't be tightened and it moves around like it is loose. Any ideas?? I am not mechanically inclined so this is why my question seems a little stupid. I'm using this truck to learn some mechanical work. I would really appreciate any advice/help I can get. Thanks.

Jeff

Apr 10, 2009 | 03:36 AM

Bgasrickshaw

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From: Duncan B.C.

That should be the pressure hose. It's the shorter of the 2 and goes directly to the steering box. The other one that goes down and runs along the front crossmember and back to the resevoir is the return hose. The pressure hose fitting is designed to swivel, so that is normal, but it shouldn't be flopping around or anything. If it's loose enough to leak you may need to replace it. But first, check around the plastic resevoir to see if it is cracked. Sometimes they get cracked by people over tightening the fitting in an attempt to make it stop moving. That could be the source of the leak. And also make sure you aren't just over filling it. They have a pretty narrow range between "full" and "add" If you over fill it, it will just blow the extra out the top and look like it's leaking.

Apr 10, 2009 | 03:46 AM

senorswanky

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Thanks a lot. I appreciate the detail and it makes perfect sense. I think I'm going to have to take it to a mechanic, but I'm definitely going to use your advice and see if I can at least find out what's going on. Thanks again.

Jeff

Apr 10, 2009 | 10:26 AM

tractoman

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From: Sonoma, CA

Not to hijack the thread but my SC with 460 also leaks but it's where the return hose connects to the pump. It's new PS hose, and I have two clamps on this thing and I cannot get it to stop weeping. Any tricks for this? I have redone this 2 or 3 times and cannot stop this leak.

Apr 10, 2009 | 11:52 AM

fmc400

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From: Austin, TX

tractoman - are you sure the hose fitting on the pump is not cracked?

Apr 10, 2009 | 12:39 PM

tractoman

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From: Sonoma, CA

I am not sure of that. You mean the little tube on the back of the pump could have a crack? It is a rebuilt pump, and it's not the plastic reservoir type. The old pump was in bad shape so I unfortunately has to put on a nicely repainted, poorly rebuilt pump.

Apr 10, 2009 | 12:49 PM

fmc400

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From: Austin, TX

That's what I meant - the reason I brought it up was because when I originally got my '79, it leaked really bad from the same spot. It turned out the hose fitting had been broken off, and the PO had expoxied it back on and it didn't take. I replaced the pump.