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Power Steering Pump REbuild Problem

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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:23 PM
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Default Power Steering Pump REbuild Problem

I rebuilt the power steering pump. Or should I say resealed since it was working fine, but leaking badly.

Works just fine and all of the leaking is gone except for some leaking from the shaft seal. I am getting a slight "spray" of fluid that you can see on the upper control arm flap. I think the leak is dripping down on the inside of the pulley and the the pulley sprays it out.

There were no knicks or any noticeable scrapes on the machined part of the shaft and the new seal looked good. I am wondering if I should have used some kind of sealer on the machined part to keep it from leaking.

Before I take it back off and replace the seal, anyone have any ideas on how to get a better seal on the shaft?
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:26 PM
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Did the shaft itself look nice and smooth? The new seal won't help and won't last long if the shaft is grooved or pitted.
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Old Feb 25, 2007 | 02:29 PM
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Yes, the shaft is nice and smooth.

Hate to admit it, but the shaft wasn't leaking before I fixed it The kit had such a nice new loolkng seal, that I just had to replace it.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
Yes, the shaft is nice and smooth.

Hate to admit it, but the shaft wasn't leaking before I fixed it The kit had such a nice new loolkng seal, that I just had to replace it.
Truly aggravating when that happens. How badly is it leaking? Might be worth seeing if it seats over time.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
Hate to admit it, but the shaft wasn't leaking before I fixed it The kit had such a nice new loolkng seal, that I just had to replace it.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 12:24 PM
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I pulled mine apart because it was leaking between the pump and resevoir, replaced that seal and now it's leaking out of the back where the high pressure line goes into the pump. I haven't even gotten the car running either and it's already leaking, so I'm going to take it back apart and see if I can figure out what's going on.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
... anyone have any ideas on how to get a better seal on the shaft?
One possibility-

You may have damaged the new seal when you pressed it in.

Concentrate the force on the solid outer edge of the seal next time and don't over do it... stay away from the center where it rides on the shaft.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
Truly aggravating when that happens. How badly is it leaking? Might be worth seeing if it seats over time.
It is leaking badly enough where I won't drive it. Just don't wan't the PS fluid all over the front of my engine.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Big2Bird
Yea...I know...what a dumb azz I am.
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom454
One possibility-

You may have damaged the new seal when you pressed it in.

Concentrate the force on the solid outer edge of the seal next time and don't over do it... stay away from the center where it rides on the shaft.
I pressed it flush to the top of the shaft using a flat piece of metal. The I pressed it just slightly into the shaft using a socket that just fit inside of the shaft.

Perhaps I should not have pressed it into the shaft. Would pressing it flush to the shaft be enough?
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Old Feb 27, 2007 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by C3 4ME
I pulled mine apart because it was leaking between the pump and resevoir, replaced that seal and now it's leaking out of the back where the high pressure line goes into the pump. I haven't even gotten the car running either and it's already leaking, so I'm going to take it back apart and see if I can figure out what's going on.

I got my kit at Autozone for 12 bucks. It had all the right orings and seals, and rubber washers. There is a flat rubber washer/seal that goes between the resevoir and pump for the 2 mounting bolts and 1 for the pressure line fitting. If you did not put in that rubber/washer seal in, it will leak like.
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Old Feb 28, 2007 | 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by SmokinBBC
I pressed it flush to the top of the shaft (ed: housing) using a flat piece of metal. The I pressed it just slightly into the shaft (ed: housing) using a socket that just fit inside of the shaft (ed: housing).

Perhaps I should not have pressed it into the shaft (ed: housing). Would pressing it flush to the shaft (ed: housing) be enough?
If there is a lip on the inside of the housing, it's usually there to provide a "stop" for the seal. In most cases, the seal should be driven until it bottoms on the inside lip. This is probably what you did. It should have been okay.

However-

The socket may have put pressure on the "soft" part of the seal, bending it inward... that would cause the ID to decrease slightly and the seal face to go offset, enough to leak. It depends on which end of the socket- the drive end is probably square cut, the nut/bolt end is probably tapered- most are. Even though the OD of the socket may be correct, the taper would move the pressure point inward toward the shaft centerline.... damaging the seal.

I have done this MANY times on various applications, and realizing what I have done, I don't even bother to continue... I just pop the seal out & get another one.
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Old Feb 28, 2007 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom454
If there is a lip on the inside of the housing, it's usually there to provide a "stop" for the seal. In most cases, the seal should be driven until it bottoms on the inside lip. This is probably what you did. It should have been okay.

However-

The socket may have put pressure on the "soft" part of the seal, bending it inward... that would cause the ID to decrease slightly and the seal face to go offset, enough to leak. It depends on which end of the socket- the drive end is probably square cut, the nut/bolt end is probably tapered- most are. Even though the OD of the socket may be correct, the taper would move the pressure point inward toward the shaft centerline.... damaging the seal.

I have done this MANY times on various applications, and realizing what I have done, I don't even bother to continue... I just pop the seal out & get another one.
When I pull it back off I'll have to check if I damaged the seal. I sure did something wrong.

Thanks for the help.
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