Leaking power steering

[Tomas]

Hi there,

small spots of power steering liquid start to appear on my parking.

Leaned under and noticed this:

Also, the steering it selves a bit "soft". It takes some time to the car to actually turn after I move the steering wheel.

It allows about 1/4 turn of the steering wheel before the wheels move.

No, it is not in the steering column and the steering UJ's. I changed that recently. Also, I can clearly see that the column is truing at the power box input, but not at the box output.

It is Defender 90, 300 Tdi from 1998. The box is 4 bolt power box.

I looked at the manuals - I know I can do a lot my selves (changed the swivels, pins, bearings, etc. on the axles already) but this one I'm not sure.

So, any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance,

Tomas

[Gromit]

I believe there are seal kits you can get to fix the leak. I had the same problem, along with play in the steering and a drop arm that wouldn't tighten properly so I just changed the box for a reconditioned one.

It's an easy job, other than the box itself is a bit heavy to manoeuver into position.

I make the mistake of opening the bleed screw on the box too far and created an ATF geyser when I started it.

Covered the front of the truck, driveway, tools and even the front of the house

See Les' post in the tech archive.

[white90]

Replace box the only sure fix.

seal kits are a PITA

[FridgeFreezer]

The usual answer is "they all do that", unless it's running out either live with it or get ready to buy a new one. I've never known anyone have worthwhile success with the seal kit.

[Les Henson]

Have you tried adding a small amount of brake fluid to the PAS system? If the leak isn't too bad then it quite often cures it - sometimes for a short while and sometimes for ages.

Les.

[Guest diesel_jim]

Have you tried adding a small amount of brake fluid to the PAS system? If the leak isn't too bad then it quite often cures it - sometimes for a short while and sometimes for ages.

Les.

How does that work Les?

I wonder if it's because the rubber seals react to the brake fluid, like paint does... and swell up.

careful though it doesn't rot them and get even worse suddenly.

[Spooner]

How does that work Les?

I wonder if it's because the rubber seals react to the brake fluid, like paint does... and swell up.

careful though it doesn't rot them and get even worse suddenly.

My Power Steering leak was about the same as that...as per Les's post, I just put a capfull of Brake Fluid in the reservior and since then it's been nice and dry. If it starts up again I will change the box out though...

[BogMonster]

The usual answer is "they all do that", unless it's running out either live with it or get ready to buy a new one. I've never known anyone have worthwhile success with the seal kit.

It is definitely something that you get the knack of, having watched people do it over the years with varying success. Tips I would suggest from observation include -

- change it when the leak starts don't leave it for ages as otherwise grit/dust trapped in the oil works its way into the seal and damages the seal track

- carefully sand down any roughness on the sector shaft with very fine sandpaper before fitting as otherwise you nick the lip of the seal and will probably end up with a worse leak afterwards.

- wrap the projecting part of the sector shaft with something like insulating tape to give a smooth surface to slide the seal down over, particularly if the shaft is a bit rusty

- clean, clean and clean some more (this is why doing it working the wrong way up with the box still in the vehicle isn't very successful...)

My last Discovery has oil p*sn out of the bottom seal when it was brand new, was resealed during the PDI and sold it with 61k miles on and no PAS leaks... same set of seals. If you take the old seal out and the seal track on the shaft is badly grooved or pitted then it is probably a waste of time even trying to re-seal it.

[Diff]

I posted this in September:

'My power steering bottom seal was leaking very badly 5 years ago. I put half a cup of brake fluid in the reservoir. The leak gradually got better until after about 3 weeks it stopped completely for 4 years. I changed the oil at some point in that period. Last year it started weeping again and I resigned myself to changing the seal so bought a seal kit, but I didn't get around to fitting it.

As the leak started getting worse again, and I was too busy to fit the seal kit, I put another dose of brake fluid in th reservoir about 4 months ago. No leaks since!

Can't guarantee it will work for everyone, but it worked for me.'

It is now November, still not leaking!

Regards,

Diff

[Les Henson]

It is now November, still not leaking!

You shouldn't have typed that Diff.

Brake fluid makes the seals swell up - therefore gripping the shaft even tighter If there is play in the shaft then adding brake fluid will make almost no difference at all or might stop the leak for just a short while.

Les

[steve c]

I have similar problem with my td5 power stering box, there is a regular drip coming out now, is it worth trying to fix it or should i just bite the bullet and replace box?