Power steering leak. Any culprits?

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Jul 21, 15 10:06 pm

I have quite a leak but the Hoses seem good, there is steering fluid around the actual steering box, but i cant see where it's coming from.
Any usual suspects?

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Tue Jul 21, 15 10:15 pm

Check the seal behind the pulley on the shaft, the unions where the HP hose and return hose connect, crack or split in the reservoir case. Has it been over filled?
And finally, when driving do you constantly have to use full lock, this causes a build up of pressure in the system ( you can hear it from inside the car ), watch the pipes attached to the pump when the steering is on full lock and you'll see them twitch. This can cause an over flow depending on the amount of fluid in the reservoir.
Are both hoses correctly seated in the steering box?

John · Post by **John** » Tue Jul 21, 15 10:21 pm

The seals in the connector on top of the box that takes both the high and the low pressure hoses Miles?

There are o rings under the flat part that can leak making it very hard to see where it`s coming from.

Anton has such seals, easy job but if you do it be carefull to put it back on correctly adjusted as it slides up and down or your steering will be very notchy.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Jul 21, 15 10:36 pm

Blimey, thanks chaps. Not a five minute fix then

Don't recall ever overfilling the reservoir. Needs checking after the Nats I guess.

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Tue Jul 21, 15 11:05 pm

MilesnMiles wrote: Don't recall ever overfilling the reservoir.

Can be easily done Miles, depends on knowledge of how to check the level correctly, most reservoir dipsticks are marked for checking the level hot and cold, but not all of them are.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jul 22, 15 8:56 am

Hey Rebel, that would be correct...if I had a dipstick and lid! Mine disappeared down the road some while although I never overfill as I know from experience where the level should be.
I have a rubber bung in mine which doesn't leak.
It's just occurred to me though, does the original cap have an air breather on it? I have I inadvertently presssuried the system with my home made cap?
Just a thought.

mad machs · Post by **mad machs** » Wed Jul 22, 15 9:41 am

Changed two PS boxes for Commander Powell, not a bad job to do, interesting to note that both times the bolts were loose to the point of being finger tight!

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Wed Jul 22, 15 11:47 am

MilesnMiles wrote:It's just occurred to me though, does the original cap have an air breather on it? I have I inadvertently presssuried the system with my home made cap?
Just a thought.

I'm not 100% certain whether they have a breather or not Miles, I can't check either as I no longer have power steering in the Charger, hopefully someone with more knowledge will know.
Dunc might have a PS cap kicking about somewhere,

If that's what's causing the leak, I would think that the outside of the filler neck would be soaked in fluid as well though. Might be an idea to clean the outside of it ( if it's grubby ), go for a drive and check it when you get back

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jul 22, 15 12:22 pm

The leak is definitely from the main body. Reservoir is fine and hose connections look good. It appears to be leaking from behind two main bolts that face upwards from the main body.

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Wed Jul 22, 15 1:04 pm

Two main bolts on the steering box?
Might just be the "O" rings behind them, worth unbolting them ( engine NOT running ), to see what's going on behind / under them

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jul 22, 15 3:13 pm

Ok cheers, just checked some leak fix stuff in for now. Running out of time!

John · Post by **John** » Wed Jul 22, 15 6:30 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:The leak is definitely from the main body. Reservoir is fine and hose connections look good. It appears to be leaking from behind two main bolts that face upwards from the main body.

Refer to my first post Miles

latil · Post by **latil** » Wed Jul 22, 15 6:52 pm

Re the reservoir cap,mine is clearly stamped "vented"

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Jul 22, 15 7:21 pm

Ah, vented .
I shall create a vent,thanks Steve.
John, I see what you mean now. Sounds like a job to do when no impending events are planned.

JustinMFox · Post by **JustinMFox** » Tue Jul 28, 15 5:29 pm

I have a leak too that's coming from the top of the cap, the fluid is actually low though which is strange, my cap says vented but I can't see any obvious vents on it ?