Disappearing Power Steering Fluid
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Disappearing Power Steering Fluid
I've been lead to believe this is a common problem with the LS power steering system. Recently (the last three months or so) I've begun to notice that I'm loosing Power Steering fluid. I did a search for leaks and I've also had my local shop do a pressure test. We are not seeing any indication of any leaks in the system. One person is saying that the fluid is getting over-pressurized and is escaping out of the cap. I don't see a lot of evidence of this, no heavy build up of residue around the cap.
My car is a 2004 C5 with modifications. I have approximately 52,000 miles on the car. I've started carrying a bottle of ATF fluid with me just incase I find the reservoir low.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
My car is a 2004 C5 with modifications. I have approximately 52,000 miles on the car. I've started carrying a bottle of ATF fluid with me just incase I find the reservoir low.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 377
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Texas
St. Jude Donor '13
How often do you need to add fluid? If you can't detect a leak, it is probably exiting the system in amounts too small to detect through the steering rack seals inside the dust covers. The steering rack is basically a hydraulic cylinder. All hydraulic cylinders eventually leak, if you see some heavy equipment on a project, you'll usually see a 5 gallon can of hydraulic fluid near-by. Check the steering rack and the lines leading to the pump, if you don't see any leakage just keep checking the fluid level periodically. I wouldn't worry too much.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
The pressure hose is a common enough point of failure but you'd see the oil leaking from it right through the rubber hose. If you don't see oil then check the boots at the ends of the rack and see if they've got oil in them. Eventually, they would get full enough they'd have to give and dump the fluid as you turned.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Some more information.
Checked the boots and the pressure tub no oil there either everything still dry.
New Theory, fluid has been escaping out the cap over the 50K miles that the car has been in service. When I added fluid I did not bleed the system. As I drove the air bled out and was replaced by the fluid I replaced.
I'm replacing the cap and have topped off the fluid and will then keep track and see what transpires.
Checked the boots and the pressure tub no oil there either everything still dry.
New Theory, fluid has been escaping out the cap over the 50K miles that the car has been in service. When I added fluid I did not bleed the system. As I drove the air bled out and was replaced by the fluid I replaced.
I'm replacing the cap and have topped off the fluid and will then keep track and see what transpires.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 2
From: Yes it's hot! Arizona
The pressure hose is a common enough point of failure but you'd see the oil leaking from it right through the rubber hose. If you don't see oil then check the boots at the ends of the rack and see if they've got oil in them. Eventually, they would get full enough they'd have to give and dump the fluid as you turned.
Happened to my friends car. Boots were full of oil.
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