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72 control valve leak
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
72 control valve leak
from the photo's, can someone tell me whats wrong with it, and how to fix?
do i have to remove it from the car to fix?
looking thru the suppliers, there seems to be 2 different kits, 1 with ball stud, and the other with 'o'rings. which do i need?
or do i just need to replace the boot?
the thin wire in second photo holds a rubber dust cap on.
it started all of a sudden, like with in a couple of weeks!
thanks
do i have to remove it from the car to fix?
looking thru the suppliers, there seems to be 2 different kits, 1 with ball stud, and the other with 'o'rings. which do i need?
or do i just need to replace the boot?
the thin wire in second photo holds a rubber dust cap on.
it started all of a sudden, like with in a couple of weeks!
thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Looks like a bunch of excess grease dripping down from the steering joint right above it. Clean off the grease and you'll be fine. Now, if you have other P/S fluid leaks from the control valve after you clean it up, it will be coming from the hoses...which you can replace without messing with the control valve...or the valve gaskets/seals. In the latter case, you will need to remove the control valve and do a fairly simple rebuild (low buck fix) or replace it [with foreign junk]. I think you know which I would do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
If you're referring to the grease:
Looks like it was simply over greased.
I'd wipe it down as described previously and see what happens.
It's possible your ball stud valve boot split and if so you'll need to replace it sooner or later as it keeps the grease on the ball and dirt out of the joint.
Also possible that the metal strap that holds the valve boot in place is simply broken.
If you're referring to the couple of pink fluid drips in the second photo then you'll need to post better photo of your issue. If the steering is smooth then no need to replace the ball stud etc. and go with the seal kit.
Looks like it was simply over greased.
I'd wipe it down as described previously and see what happens.
It's possible your ball stud valve boot split and if so you'll need to replace it sooner or later as it keeps the grease on the ball and dirt out of the joint.
Also possible that the metal strap that holds the valve boot in place is simply broken.
If you're referring to the couple of pink fluid drips in the second photo then you'll need to post better photo of your issue. If the steering is smooth then no need to replace the ball stud etc. and go with the seal kit.
Last edited by Hammerhead Fred; Jan 23, 2011 at 11:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
if by 'zerk' fitting you mean the grease nipple, then no, i have not greased that.
the steering is smooth, all tho slight play in the wheel, less than 1" side to side.
will wipe it down to see if i can pin point where it's coming from better.
thanks
the steering is smooth, all tho slight play in the wheel, less than 1" side to side.
will wipe it down to see if i can pin point where it's coming from better.
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
It is possible that you have the lip seal and possibly an "o" ring leaking in side. The lip seal seals the piston chamber from the pivot ball side, so if the seal leaks to the ball it would push out the grease as well as some steering fluid also. The link that speedreed8 posted is real good, check it out and you will see the lip seal I'm talking about. looks like you need a rebuild there.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
If it's only grease, the rubber boot that's supposed to hold it in has likely torn from use, not too big a deal. If it's grease mixed with power steering fluid (if it starts dripping) it's rebuild time.