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#1
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Power Steering / Steering Rack
Looking for anyone with experience related to power steering service. Have a small puddle under the car most days - appears to be ATF fluid so could be either tranny or steering. Checking under the car most fluid wetness is concentrated around the steering rack and the PS lines feeding it but can't figure out exactly where coming from. Is this a common problem? All line connections are tight. I've done the reservoir o-ring fix and have no visible signs of fluid around the reservoir. I do experience a slight 'shudder' in the PS at parking lot speeds. Reservoir fluid level doesn't seem to be dropping noticeably. Nothing seems to be coming from the tranny above the steering rack either. Thoughts anyone!?
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92 Pearl White Canadian, eh! |
#2
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I had the line from the pump to the rack go bad, leaked what seemed to be a lot of fluid, but resivoir never seemed to get really low. I've also heard of the return lines going bad as well.
part was over $100 fairly easy to replace though |
#3
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Check you lines...
like coca said. Given the heat stresses where they're located, it's a wonder they don't go more often. I had my return line go a few months back.
Have someone turn your wheels lock-to-lock while you look under the car. If it's the p/s hoses, you *should* see the most fluid flow when the steering reaches the ends of it's travel, don't get to close through, it could get you right in the face (don't ask me how I know ) |
#4
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The return lines are known to get extremely brittle. You may have a crack or pinhole.
Also, check the tranny cooler lines that run that route, somewhere (can't remember) in that vacinity.
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#5
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Quote:
hope that narrows it down for ya |
#6
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Take off the under cover and wipe everything, the hoses, down. Tie rags or paper towels around the joints and see what shows up. Best of luck.
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#7
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Quote:
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'93 Anniversary Edition SVX 122k - 3.7 FD 5MT Swap, ECUtune 1a1, Bontrager RSB, Mad Restoration underway! '20 Honda Ridgeline Custom Oil Caps, Battery Bars, Phenolic Spacers for sale here: http://www.x35design.com |
#8
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Great responses - thanks!
Thanks to all who've responded - makes a guy feel good that others are so willing to help! I'll try your suggestions and post my results for future reference.
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92 Pearl White Canadian, eh! |
#9
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Re: Great responses - thanks!
Quote:
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#10
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Long overdue update
Tried the rag trick - wrapped up all the power steering joints/lines in the area of the leak - nothing - they stayed clean! Turned out I needed the 'flex plate' replaced (connects crankshaft output to transmission?). It's seal was allowing transmission fluid past causing the collection of fluid around the steering rack which is below it. Anyway - no leaks anymore!
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92 Pearl White Canadian, eh! |
#11
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Glad you found the leak.
Is that seal is in the back of the engine or the front of the transmission?
Anyway I guess the tranny had to come out? |
#12
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I understood it to be in the front of the transmission (hence the leaking tranny fluid) and yes the tranny had to come out - again!
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92 Pearl White Canadian, eh! |
#13
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Was your leak on just one side of the rack, or all over it? I have fluid that surrounds the rubber boot area on only the driver's side.
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#14
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Actually, as I remember it, it pretty much covered the whole rack. I think it essentially came from above the middle of the rack, dripped onto the rack and then spread from there.
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92 Pearl White Canadian, eh! |
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