2006corvetteman

Can some please tell me if this is part of the break system or some thing else. I seemed to have a leak at the silver nut seen in the middle of the photo. It is directly in front of the crank pulley. Thank you.

Todds427

That is the rack & pinion steering unit, the leak is power steering fluid.

2006corvetteman

Thank you

weathermaker

It doesn't seem too bad. Does it have drips under the rack/cylinder? You could try tightening the nut slightly. Go ever so gently, and only a small amount, 1/8-1/16th turn. Don't force it. If there are no drips I would leave it alone.

2006corvetteman

I had the car idling in the driveway for about 20 min and when I moved it there was a puddle the length of the arm (about 3 feet long and a couple inches wide). After pulling into the garage and shutting down for 2 days, there were just a few drips under the nut.

I tried to tighten the nut, but I didn't have much leverage and couldn't get it to move. I will try again when I have more time.

Thanks.

Grand Sport Jim

You should have had a noticeable loss of fluid in your reservoir. I'd check the fluid level before torquing any nuts.

2006corvetteman

Thanks. I did check the level, and I'd say it is about 1/2 full. Not sure what the usual full level is and the lighting wasn't good enough to check any level markers on the stick.

By the way, I see how I spelled brake in my first post. I guess I should blame it on autocorrect

2006corvetteman

From initial observation, it appears the leak is only happening while the engine is running. I guess that is when the system is pressurized. I'll start it again and check for the leak then. Maybe that will provide a little more info.

cclive

That makes sense...the fluid is under high pressure, but only when the engine is running. That is a significant leak though, if you don't feel comfortable tightening it, then take it in. Get some power steering fluid though so that it doesn't leak too much and run the pump dry. The dipstick inside the cap will have a FULL COLD and a FULL HOT mark...there is a significant difference so don't overfill it.

2006corvetteman

I was kinda thinking the same. I'll get some fluid and top it off and maybe try to tighten the nut. Not sure why it would come loose to begin with

I'm about to put the car away for the winter, so i will probably just let it sit and take care of it in the spring when it goes to the shop for some other work.

2006corvetteman

Is it possible it could be leaking at the cylinder, where the silver and black pieces join together, and not at the nut? I know nothing about how that part works or is put together so just asking.