Power Steering Pump Leaks
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
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Power Steering Pump Leaks
I have a '75 Roadster and the power steering pump leaks quite a bit. Every couple days I dump in more juice to keep the pump from squeeling. All of the hoses on the bottom have been replaced except the return hose...I can't see it and don't have a car hoist. Do you think it is either the return line or maybe the seals in the pump itself? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
It doesn't do us much good to just guess where your power steering fluid leak is coming from. You will need to wipe down the various areas on the pump and hoses in order to locate the source. If the pump driveshaft seal is leaking, the pulley might be flinging the fluid up and around the engine compartment. The other place could be the big o-ring that seals the sheet metal reservoir to the pump housing.
Jim
Jim
also it could be coming out of the control valve or the hydraulic piston. You need to clean everything and find the source. God bless, Sensei
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
The power steering control valve is under your car, and will bolt to the relay rod and the pitman arm. The two lines coming from your P/S pump will bolt to this, and it will have two lines coming out that goes to the cylinder.
kdf
kdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Here is the AIM sheet which shows the control valve to assist cylinder hoses.
Here is the AIM sheet which attempts to show the routing of the pump to control valve hoses. (It certainly could be a bit clearer!) If you look closely, it basically shows the two angles (small block versus big block) that the respective pressure hoses connect to the back of the pump as they route down to the control valve. The low pressure return line hose should route along side the pressure hose.
What is not readily apparent is that the reservoirs on the pumps in the BB and SB views are not vertical. When you install a pump onto a BB or a SB engine, the reservoir will be clocked inboard from the vertical (BB) versus clocked outboard (SB). The AIM doesn't give you either angle. So once you install the pump into its engine brackets, you then measure the angle from the vertical at the back of the pump to route the hoses.
Lastly, it is always a good idea (once you have made the installation) to observe the hoses as you rotate the steering wheel full lock to full lock. Make sure that the hoses aren't rubbing or hitting things as the linkage and road wheels move from side to side.
Jim
Here is the AIM sheet which attempts to show the routing of the pump to control valve hoses. (It certainly could be a bit clearer!) If you look closely, it basically shows the two angles (small block versus big block) that the respective pressure hoses connect to the back of the pump as they route down to the control valve. The low pressure return line hose should route along side the pressure hose.
What is not readily apparent is that the reservoirs on the pumps in the BB and SB views are not vertical. When you install a pump onto a BB or a SB engine, the reservoir will be clocked inboard from the vertical (BB) versus clocked outboard (SB). The AIM doesn't give you either angle. So once you install the pump into its engine brackets, you then measure the angle from the vertical at the back of the pump to route the hoses.
Lastly, it is always a good idea (once you have made the installation) to observe the hoses as you rotate the steering wheel full lock to full lock. Make sure that the hoses aren't rubbing or hitting things as the linkage and road wheels move from side to side.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Apr 18, 2007 at 08:11 AM.
