power steering help
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
power steering help
the other day i took my car out for a little drive. when i got home i pulled in the driveway, waited a while, and when i started the car back up i had no power steering. i pulled back out of the garage and popped the hood to find power steering fluid all under the hood,belt,chassis,etc..so i thought a high pressure line had cracked.so today i fired the car up to see what line had broke and i had no leaks.the reservoir is full and i am completely confused on what is going on. if anyone has experienced something to this nature or knows what might be going on with it, i would greatly appreciate it.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Let someone turn the steering wheel slowly while in park or neutral while you watch under the hood for leaks.if you have any leaks under a load it will show itself.turn the wheel all the way left then all the way right.let us know your results.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
You did not mention your C4 year and miles. Being that the car is unfortunatly getting old, I own an 88 so I know, and if the Rack & Pinion steering rack has never been changed, that might be a possible cause.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
The rack may have popped a seal....and it only leaks in a certain position. The problem didn't go away....clean it up and get a helper to turn the wheel with the car running while you watch.
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
the car is a '95 and has 15.500 miles and is all original. i had my wife steering the car while it was running and didn't see nothing. unless you think a seal in the rack went bad, what would it matter being under load?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
I once had a car with a similar problem.with the motor running I could not find the leak.I had someone turn the wheel slowly while I checked for the leak.I then saw the leak .it leaked in a certain position only.under a load you will get higher pressure and the leak should be visible.I also remembered someone told me that if the fluid leaks on a hot exhaust it could be flammable.
