What to Do for a Quick Fix Power Steering Seal Leak
Anyone with a bit of knowledge about automotive will be quick to recognize the alarming shrill and whine of a sick power steering system due to low level of the power fluid, this leads to a need for a quick fix power steering seal leak. Running your car with insufficient power fluid can cause a plethora of damages. The solution is to act quickly, seal the leak and fill the fluid to the required level. Often, it is quite difficult to tell what fluid is leaking from your car. The best indicators however are: the area where the leak is taking place, the color and smell of the fluid.
What makes power steering leak hard to diagnose is that, the pump is bolted to the mortar, a feed line, on some car models the cooler, power steering rack and /or on the gears. One of these components could be the culprit, hence hard to tell if it’s the power steering system or the engine components. Pay close attention to the color and smell of the leaking fluid. Follow these easy steps to fix a leak and make your driving safe and easier.
Locate a Safe Working Space
Prior to any work, locate and park your car in a safe area. If you want to have a quick fix power steering seal leak replacement, have access to a garage, it is usually ideal. Nonetheless, a flat, dry and stable ground will be a suitable spot you can use to fix power steering leak. If in a garage, drive the car on the ramps or jack the front part of the car into the air if you are on a flat surface. Jack stands are good as they offer more stability. Make sure to lock the wheels as you don’t want them moving when repairing the steering system.
Place a Paper Beneath the Suspected Area
In order to pin point the exact area where the fluid is coming from, place a clean paper on the floor along the driveway. Once you identify the point or location of the leak, you can now have a quick fix power steering seal leak session! If the leak is coming from the main pump, all you have to do is have a few twists on the nuts using a ratchet. The nuts usually loosen due to constant vibration.
Replace Cracked Hoses
Prior to any quick power steering seal leak repair, examine the hose pipes. The main cause of the leak may be a cracked pipe. If you notice this, you will have to replace them. Loosen the cramps that are used to secure the hose into position, attach the replacement one and tighten the cramps around the hose neck again. If the hose is of adequate length, you can cut the affected end and reuse the pipe instead of buying a new one.
Check Column Steering, Rack and Pinion for Damaged Seals
If you happen to be conducting a quick power steering seal leak replacement, be sure to check on all the other seals. Power steering fluid may leak through the rubber seals of the steering column, rack or the pinion. The rubber seals wear out due to constant pressure during driving. Be sure to check on these seals and replace them if deemed necessary. The seal replacement kit comes with the rubber seals of equivalent sizes used to repair the mentioned areas of the steering system.
Bleed the Lines
If you have changed the hose pipes, the seals and have filled the pump with power steering fluid, be sure to bleed the system to get rid of any air bubbles. The lid of the reservoir should be left open and have a person steer the car. This will help build pressure. The bubbles will escape through the reservoir tank slowly, wait until all the bubbles escape then tighten the lid well.
BOTTOM LINE
These are simple Do It Yourself quick fix power steering seal leak procedures which will help you perfectly repair power steering leak. It is easier to repair than to replace the whole system, which comes as a unit.
