Power steering leak

[Sith]

Howdy guys , have just developed a leak from the steering box itself ....just don't know where :? :?
Went up to the local shop after work to pick up my daughter and between home and there maybe 3km's lost half the resivoir 8O 8O

It's running along the chassis , down the tiedown loop onto the bash bar ......no leaks from hoses , no leaks ontop of the box at all .......the pinion section is dry and clean ......

It leaks that is obvious ......but where 8O and what is there to be done ? any idea's ?

thanx in advance

[one_iota]

Have you checked the pump and its associated hoses?
Leaks can travel along way.
Is the fluid aerated in the reservoir?

[Sith]

no the oil isn't airated and all the hoses are dry , and all clamps tight ....just had it running and got my wife to turn the wheels left to right and it ran out .....when the wheels are straight nothing .......turn the car off and just drips ......buggar right on Easter :roll:

[DeeJay]

With that kind of loss it's probably the input shaft seal, it won't run down on to the drop arm either. :cry:

[DaveS3]

Originally posted by one_iota
Is the fluid aerated in the reservoir?

So what causes this?

I have intermtant PS problems as my fluid heats and becomes aerated :?
Happened today badly.

[Sith]

from all the mech books i have read tonight airation is caused by the pump or lack of , hopefully it won't be a $million to fix :roll:
buggar :? :?

[DEFENDERZOOK]

<span style="color:blue">hey sith....what car...?
and what year.....?


send me an email and i will send a picture of a box.....this should help you
to find the leak......





until then....wash it down with degreaser and make it leak again so you
can find exactly where the leak is.....</span>

[Sith]

thnax mate will do today , don't have a dig camera so will have to wait for my sister to come over !

[one_iota]

Originally posted by DaveS3+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveS3)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-one_iota
Is the fluid aerated in the reservoir?

So what causes this?

I have intermtant PS problems as my fluid heats and becomes aerated :?
Happened today badly.[/b][/quote]

In my case the PS pump is in two parts sealed with a thin (what looks like) neoprene gasket bonded to one of the halves.

The gasket ruptured in one small place blowing out copious amounts of PS fluid and presumably also sucking in air as it cycled causing the fluid to aerate.

Intermittant operation of the PS was the symptom.

The gasket isn't replaceable so a new pump was required.

[incisor]

hmmmm, i have the very first symtoms of this i think... every now and then in the carpark the steering switches into hercules mode.... bugger... might have to buy some spinach...

[rick130]

Inc, fluid type can also have a bearing on this.
I've had it happen (at idle, or close to it) when I had some Fuchs Dex II ATF after I'd flushed the OE Texaco/Caltex PAS 14315 out. The steering at speed was also lighter/less feel.... :?
Changed that out for some Calstrol Transmax Z (full synth ) and is virtually the same feel and response as the Caltex PAS fluid, although I reckon the Caltex fluid was better at very low speeds and in very cold weather, the Castrol is better when very hot.

Our Patrol has always done it....... :roll:

[Ralf_the_RR]

I cured my power steering leak, by replacing the whole system with a manual steeering box.

Drastic measures, but it also cured the gross amount of steering slop (un-adjustable) that I had.

Yes, it's a lot heavier, but I have gotten used to it (although car parks are a pain).

[one_iota]

I neglected to add that my problem was sudden and not lingering 8O

However aeration and frothing suggests that air is being ingested by the system.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Originally posted by Sith
thnax mate will do today , don't have a dig camera so will have to wait for my sister to come over !


<span style="color:blue">no...just send me an email...not a pic.....so i can have your email address....
then i will send you something which may be helpful.....


you will find my email by clicking on the botton at the bottom of this post....</span>

[Sith]

I would like to thank DEFENDERZOOK
for the detailed repair guide for me :wink:

H ad a mate over late yesterday who helped me remove the box and strip it down ....the leak is right behind the circlip on the front of the box as well as a pinched seal on the shaft .
When i bled the box lots of micro gasket and gasket goo and assorted crap came out the oil also resembled brown water than red auto fluid 8O 8O 8O 8O .

Will be re-fitting it and new seals ect ect today so i can get to work tomorrow :roll:
The pump is only new , had a good look at it this morn and looks like it lived in a cardboard box untill just before i got the car .
So with that in mind , went inside and dug out all the reciepts and waddya know there is a BRAND NEW PAS pump on the dockets ......beauty !


so i would like to just say thanx to everyone for their input and once again a BIG thanx to Tony :wink:

[rovercare]

Originally posted by Ralf_the_RR
I cured my power steering leak, by replacing the whole system with a manual steeering box.

Drastic measures, but it also cured the gross amount of steering slop (un-adjustable) that I had.

Yes, it's a lot heavier, but I have gotten used to it (although car parks are a pain).

Shhhhh! i'd keep that a secret 8O .

mmmmm. life with no power steer, i'll give you a good tight box (yes i just read that outloud :roll: ) for FREE to put power steer back on!