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The hose that runs from the power steering pump to the power steering unit has some type of clamp in the middle of it joining 2 pieces of hose. That is where the leak is, at that clamp. The hose from the reservoir to the pump is fine.The hose that runs from the power steering pump to the power steering unit has some type of clamp in the middle of it joining 2 pieces of hose. That is where the leak is, at that clamp. The hose from the reservoir to the pump is fine.
Re: I have a power steering fluid leak. It is the...
Dear friend:the coupling your referring to is a quick coupler and has two buttons on the side that needs to be pressed together,this coupler has a o ring on the inside that can be replaced,
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If fluid level is up and pump drive belt is not slipping it could be an early indication of either a pump issue or seals/valving issue in steering sector/steering rack.
If fluid looks like it has a metallic look to it like some paint finishes do- replacement of both units is in order.
If fluid looks clean, just dark and oxidized, look for loose or leaking hoses. Also check for possible mechanical interference with steering, loose colmn to dashboard, loose or binding flex coupling, or loose power steering rack, inner and outer tie rod bind, even ball joints or king pins that might be close to siezing.
set the front wheels in straight ahead position by driving vechicle a short distance on a flat surface. raise and support the vechicle safely on jack stands.place a drain pan below the steering gear. disconnect negative battery cable.disconnect fluid lines.cap the openings.mark the relationship of the pitman arm to the pitman shaft.remove pitman shaft nut and then remove the pitman arm from the pitman shaft using puller J - 6632. remove the steering gear to frame bolts and remove the gear assembly. TO INSTALL align the flat of the flexible coupling with the flat on the shaft push the coupling onto the shaft until the wormshaft bottoms against the end of the shaft.install the pinch bolt. make sure the bolt passes through the shaft undercut. tighten the pinch bolt to 75 ft lbs. place the steering gear into position guiding the coupling bolts into the proper holes in the shaft flange. install the steering gear to frame bolts and torque to 66 ft lbs.install the coupling flange nuts and washers. make sure the coupling alignment pins are centered in the flange slots. tighten the nuts to 20 ft lbs. maintain a coupling to flang dimension of 0.250 - 0.375 inches. install the pitman arm.install the hoses. you are done except bleeding power steering system. BLEEDING POWER STEERING. fill the the power steering pump reservoir to the proper level and let the fluid remain undisturbed for at least 2 minutes. start the engine and run it for only about 2 seconds.add fluid as necessary. keep doing this procedure until fluid level stop dropping. then raise the front of vechicle so the front wheels are off the ground.set the parking brake and block both rear wheels front and rear. manual transmission should be in neutral. automatic transmission should be in park. start the engine and run it at approximately 1500 rpm. turn the wheels off the ground to the right and left lightly, contacting the stops.add fluid as necessary. lower the vechicle and turn the wheels right and left on the ground.check the level and refill as necessary. if the fluid is extremely foamy, let the vechicle stand for a few minutes.with the engine off and repeat the procedure. if fluid looks foamy. once all done.dont drive vechicle on highway until normal steering is obtain.
To look for a fluid leak, first you should have the car washed thoroughly all around the steering rack and the pump, then inspect it from the underside with a good light looking at the hoses coming from the pump to the rack, the couplings and the crimped unions of the rubber and metal tubes for leaks.
If the leak comes from a coupling, that may be a bad Oring.
For the defective hoses, you can choose from buying new ones or have them repaired in specialized shops that have the tools to make the crimped unions.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
Fig. 1: Power steering gear installation1980 and Later
Fig. 2: Intermediate shaft-to-steering column upper joint connection. Remove the pinchbolt shown to disconnect. 1978 Bronco w/power steering shown
Fig. 3: Intermediate shaft-to-steering gear joint connection. Remove the pinchbolt shown to disconnect. 1978 Bronco w/power steering shown
Raise and support the front end on jackstands.
Place the wheels in the straight-ahead position.
Place a drain pan under the gear and disconnect the pressure and return lines. Cap the openings.
Remove the splash shield from the flex coupling.
Disconnect the flex coupling at the gear.
Matchmark and remove the pitman arm from the sector shaft.
Support the steering gear and remove the mounting bolts.
Remove the steering gear. It may be necessary to work it free of the flex coupling.
To install:
Place the splash shield on the steering gear lugs.
Slide the flex coupling into place on the steering shaft. Make sure the steering wheel spokes are still horizontal.
Center the steering gear input shaft with the indexing flat facing downward.
Slide the steering gear input shaft into the flex coupling and into place on the frame side rail. Install the flex coupling bolt and torque it to 30 ft. lbs.
Install the gear mounting bolts and torque them to the specifications shown in the Torque Chart at the end of this Section.
Make sure that the wheels are still straight ahead and install the pitman arm. Torque the nut to the specifications shown in the Torque Chart at the end of this Section.
Connect the pressure, then, the return lines. Torque the pressure line to 25 ft. lbs.
Snap the flex coupling shield into place.
Fill the steering reservoir.
Run the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock several times to expel air. Check for leaks.
Lock the steering column through the access hole in the steering column lower trim cover using the J 42640. Remove the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Resonator Replacement in Powertrain Management.Remove the intermediate shaft shield from the steering gear.Place a drain pan below the steering gear. Remove the pressure and the return hoses from the power steering gear. Cap or tape the ends of the hoses and the gear fittings in order to prevent dirt from entering the system.Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt. Draw alignment marks on the lower intermediate shaft coupling and the steering shaft. Remove the lower intermediate shaft coupling from the steering shaft. Remove the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement.Remove the steering gear mounting bolts and the washers from the frame. Remove the steering gear. Installation Procedure
Install the steering gear. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions. Install the power steering gear to the frame washers and the mounting bolts. Tighten Tighten the power steering gear to frame mounting bolts to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).Install the pitman arm. Refer to Pitman Arm Replacement.Install the lower intermediate shaft to the power steering gear. Ensure that the alignment marks line up. Install the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt. Tighten Tighten the lower intermediate shaft coupling bolt to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).Install the pressure and the return hoses to the power steering gear. TightenTighten the pressure hose to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) for the vehicle equipped with the 2.2L engines. Tighten the pressure hose to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.) for the vehicle equipped with the 4.3L engines. Tighten the return hose to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).Install the intermediate shaft shield to the power steering gear. Install the air cleaner assembly. Refer to Air Cleaner Outlet Resonator Replacement in Powertrain Management. Unlock the steering column by removing the J 42640 from the steering column lower steering column trim cover access hole. Bleed the power steering system. Refer to Bleeding Power Steering System in Steering / Service and Repair.
Tag the pressure and return lines so they may be reassembled in their original positions.
Disconnect the pressure and return lines from the steering gear. Plug the lines and ports in the gear to prevent the entry of dirt.
Remove the clamp bolts retaining the flexible coupling to the steering gear.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the nut from the sector shaft.
Remove the pitman arm from the sector shaft with a suitable pitman arm removal tool. Remove the tool from the pitman arm.
Support the steering gear and remove the steering gear retaining bolts.
Work the gear free of the flex coupling and remove the gear.
If the flex coupling did not come off with the gear, lift it off the shaft.
To install:
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position
During installation, position the steering gear input shaft as shown on 1992-98 vehicles
Center the steering gear input shaft with the indexing flat facing downward on 1989-91 vehicles. On 1992-98 vehicles, center the steering gear input shaft with the centerline of the 2 indexing flats at 4 o'clock.
Slide the steering gear input shaft into the flex coupling and into place on the frame side rail. Install the retaining bolts and tighten to 50-65 ft. lbs. (68-88 Nm).
Make sure the wheels are in the straight-ahead position. Install the pitman arm on the sector shaft and install the lockwasher and nut. Tighten the nut to 233-250 ft. lbs. (316-338 Nm).
Move the flex coupling into place on the steering gear input shaft. Install the retaining bolt and tighten to 20-30 ft. lbs. (27-41 Nm).
Connect the pressure and return lines to the steering gear and tighten the lines. Fill the reservoir and turn the steering wheel from stop-to-stop to distribute the fluid. Check the fluid level and add fluid, if necessary.
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel from left to right.
With the engine running, have someone turn the wheel back and forth. This will presurize the lines and you should see where ithe leak is comming from. Keep in mind you may have to clean the area around the hoses to get a clear sign of where the leak is occuring and don't rule out that the hose itself could be torn, usually at a bend or where the coupling and hose are crimped together.
If the leak is from the pump unit or steering rack, it will need to be replaced,
If the leak is from a connection hose or coupling it can likely be readily repaired or replaced.
V6, 2.7
The hose that runs from the power steering pump to the power steering unit has some type of clamp in the middle of it joining 2 pieces of hose. That is where the leak is, at that clamp. The hose from the reservoir to the pump is fine.
Engine - V6
Need to know if you have a 4cyl or V6.
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