Power steering leak, what a pain.

[Drewcool2]

Just bought my Talon and realized it was leaking power steering fluid. After looking for the leak for a little while, I finally found it to be leaking at one of the connections where the power steering line connects to the steering rack on the driver side. The line runs from one side of the steering rack to the other, and uses a flare seal.

My first question is, is there supposed to be an O-ring on the flare seal to connect the line to the steering rack? I tried 7 different ways of sealing it including, no O-ring to multiple O-rings and it continues to leak.
Does anyone have any tricks to stop this from leaking here? I'm starting to think the flare may even be cracked. If that is the case, is there any way I could repair it reliably, or is there a place I can pick up a brand new hose besides a dealership?

Once I get all this back together, my steering rack is going to be empty of fluid. Is it ok just to start the car with a full reservoir, and let it build up fluid everywhere? Or do I have to fill it and bleed it somehow.

Sorry for the long post.
Thanks for any input anyone may have. I'll appreciate it

 

[iLLt3ck]

There is a very good possibility that the flare may have cracked, is it possible for you to get a picture of the area where it is leaking form? The hose going to the top with the single 17mm bolt or the other hose going to the front of the ps pump that is held on by two 10mm bolts?

Is the part circled where you are having trouble with? If so notice the crush washer inbetween.

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[giester2]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
agreed


It is okay to just fill the pump reservoir with fluid and let that fill the rack. The rack probably still has some fluid in it (it can be difficult to get all the fluid out...trust me). Do make sure though that the pump does not run dry, it needs a constant supply of fluid to avoid damage, and when you turn the engine over the fluid will disappear quickly.

You will have to bleed the system after everything is put back together. Most power steering systems are self bleeding to a certain degree but to help it along what you will need to do is:

1. Make sure the system is sealed ( no leaks from any where)
2. Fill reservoir with fluid
3. Start car and slowing turn the steering wheel left and right
A. start over center (like you are going straight ahead) and turn the wheel a quarter turn to the left than to the right and then come back to center
B. now turn it half turn to the left and the right
C. Do this until you reach the stops on both stops (do not hold it at the stops though, could cause pump damage)
4. Turn the engine off check your fluid level and pop open your favorite beverage
5. Drink your beverage the check the fluid in reservoir to make sure there are not any visible air bubbles and that the fluid does not look milky.

If all looks well, you are done. Top of the fluid if need be and go driving

This sounds like a lot to do just to get air out but you are trying to prevent by going slow is the possibilty of breaking a big air bubble up into a whole bunch of itty bitty ones. It is easier to bleed big bubbles than small bubbles.

Hope this helps

 

[Drewcool2]

Thanks for the bleeding info. Here's 2 pics showing where its leaking, exactly. It is not a line on the power steering pump. It is a line that runs from one side of the power steering rack to the other. The leak is on the driver side.
Anyone have hints to repair this, even if it is the flare?
Thanks,

 

[giester2]

If I am viewing the picture correctly, you are saying that it is leaking between the nut and the pipe? It looks like that may be a turn Tube (Runs from one side of the rack to another). If this is the case either replace the rack or the turn tube (fluid tube, they have several different names). For some manufacturers you can buy this line at the dealer, if it is not available, buy a used rack for the turn tube (there are two on the rack, a long one and a short one). I will tell you this..it is not common (very unusual) for the rack to leak there. Many times the fluid is running down from somewhere else and it gathers there to drip. Check your pressure and return line for wetness where it screws into the rack.

Good Luck

 

[Drewcool2]

Yea, it leeks between the nut and the pipe. I'll stop at the dealership and see if they can sell me the line.
Thanks