Power Steering Pump Leaking

Turbo410 · 2025-01-13T14:22:07-0500

I had some front end work done about a year ago and in the process of replacing the steering box they replaced the power steering hoses. So I can’t remember if it was doing it when I first got it back but I know for the last 6 months or so I’ve been leaking power steering fluid after the car sits for a few days. I’m not 100% sure where it is coming for I just know the bottom of the reservoir is wet with fluid. I guess my questions are is there a rubber seal that could be missing of the back of the reservoir where the hose connects? Or is there another place where fluid could drip from?

basstrix · 2025-01-13T15:05:25-0500

There is a seal on the input shaft, an o-ring around the pump body that seals to the reservoir, a rubber gasket (I think it's rubber) between the fluid supply fitting and reservoir, the flare fitting to hose at the supply, and the hose clamp fitting at the return.

Check the housing for any dents....it used to be common for inexperienced mechanics to pry against the reservoir when tightening the PS belt. If it's the front seal, you should be able to see a fluid trail from the seal going downward.

Stanglover · 2025-01-13T19:27:12-0500

basstrix said:
There is a seal on the input shaft, an o-ring around the pump body that seals to the reservoir, a rubber gasket (I think it's rubber) between the fluid supply fitting and reservoir, the flare fitting to hose at the supply, and the hose clamp fitting at the return.

Check the housing for any dents....it used to be common for inexperienced mechanics to pry against the reservoir when tightening the PS belt. If it's the front seal, you should be able to see a fluid trail from the seal going downward.

The gasket between the reservoir and the inside surface used to be rubber and steel. The new replacement in the kits is just a paper piece of garbage which is almost guaranteed to leak. Use "The Right Stuff" on clean surfaces and good to go.
If it's leaking from there, it's a tare down job.

Bobby · 2025-01-14T08:09:02-0500

It could be leaking from your high pressure hose connection on your pump. Mine leaked inceasantly from that connection even though the hoses were relatively new. I found some conicle shaped copper washers on eBay and that allowed me to have a seal at that connection. It allowed me to tighten the flare connection just enough more to make a good seal. If it were leaking from the O-ring, it would get much worse as time goes on. Wipe your finger under the flare nut and if it comes out wet with fluid, then that's where your leak is. You can find these online at Autozone, Walmart, eBay or Amazon. Just search flare copper washer.

Turbo410 · 2025-01-14T14:24:32-0500

Bobby said:
It could be leaking from your high pressure hose connection on your pump. Mine leaked inceasantly from that connection even though the hoses were relatively new. I found some conicle shaped copper washers on eBay and that allowed me to have a seal at that connection. It allowed me to tighten the flare connection just enough more to make a good seal. If it were leaking from the O-ring, it would get much worse as time goes on. Wipe your finger under the flare nut and if it comes out wet with fluid, then that's where your leak is. You can find these online at Autozone, Walmart, eBay or Amazon. Just search flare copper washer.

So I do feel a little fluid from that spot. It’s hard to pin point where it’s exactly coming from because it runs down to the bottom of the reservoir and then drips onto a cross beam and runs down and drips on the floor. So I might try that copper washer. Another question would be what size is the nut because my 19mm flare wrench is too small and 22mm is too big. I think my 3/4 standard is to small as well. And should I be able to loosen and tighten it with out removing it? It’s a tight spot but it hard to get a good feel in if it will be a problem because none of the wrench’s fit the nut