Leaking Power Steering Fluid
 

Need some help....if anyone has had a leaky power steering fluid...please give me first places to start looking...Thanks Ahead

1993 300D 2.5L

front seal is a good suspect. Time to rebuild!

My '83 380sec was leaking alot. I put a $4.00 can of "Steer-X" from wall-mart in and now it doesn't leak a drop. Also, the gasket on the resivoir cap sometimes leaks as well. Thats easily available for about $1.50. My savings $600.00+. Its worth a try!

Usually seems to leak from the power steering hoses. Often that drips down on the driver side motor mount causing premature failure.
Mine is leaking and need replacement.


**edit**
well, wish you guys would put vehicle type in sig line or thread. I see you have a 124 after looking at your profile, so above info prolly won't apply.
I know it's important to have that Iceman, brewed to perfection stuff, but why not update sig line to include vehicle type.....:rolleyes:

Can't you just renew the front seal, if that's all that's leaking?

Well, look at the pump and check the hoses. If you can't tell where it is leaking from, clean the engine compartment with degreaser and get everything clean again. Then you should be able to find out where it is leaking from. As others mentioned, a) front seal, b) hoses.

EDIT....for whatever reason I thought he was talking about a 83...LOL

Thanks
 

Thanks for all the helpful starting points...going to begin my search this week

Seal kit
 

You can get a new seal kit for $20, but I hear it's a BIG job. I've been told by one guy who sells parts, "don't do it". A lot of gears in there, very time consuming to do that. They recommended getting a seal fixing fluid (NOT the kind that expands the rubber), like Valvoline's stuff they sell at Wal Mart. I put it in about a week ago, and am monitoring the situation. I don't know how long it will take to completely work. By the way, you don't MIX it in, it's already pre-mixed, you get rid of all your old fluid, and use this stuff exclusively.

So far it seems my leak has slowed, I'm hoping in another week or so it will have completely stopped, but will have to wait and see. They said if it doesn't work, then get the new seal kit. Seems like the one that is leaking, is the one at the bottom of the power steering box. I'm sure I'll have to take it to a mechanic to get to it, they need some pry thing to take off some attachment in order to get that bottom seal. And if they can do that, I THINK they don't have to take the box out, but not sure.

1991 300d, 90k

Thanks
 

Thanks for all the replies...

I did a power steering pump front seal just yesterday.
Took one hour tops, that included a good cleaning of the outside of the pump.

Took pump out of car.
Removed pulley.
Pried out seal.
Pounded in new seal.
Re-install pulley.
Re-installed pump.
Filled with fresh fluid.

I had already done the filter and fluid change recently so this was just a seal job.

Xenawolf, is your power steering system still leak free? Just want to know the long term effect of steer-x.

All,

Just noticed my pump was leaking - fluid was hanging on the bottom of the pump - didn't really look like the shaft seal. There are four brass plugs, including one of the bottom ... plus the four bolts holding the two pieces together - couldn't tell anything from those. Hose fittings were sound and dry.

Will try the sealing fluid first, then will replace the main shaft seal - doesn't look like any of the other places are prone to leaking ... does anyone have any other experiences related?

Thanks!

I found my pump was leaking from the front seal as well, and replaced just the seal, but added a little bit of one of the PS fluids with seal repair stuff in it just to help a little more if another seal was getting there.

The easy way I located that it was the front seal was just to look at the hood, or hood pad.
If the front seal has been leaking for much time at all, you'll see a line across the underside of the hood, along the inside of the fender, and slung over the various hoses, all in line with the rear edge of the PS pulley.

Loose Hose Clamp(s)?
 

I had to replace mine over the summer. Minor leakage was occuring that ran down the hose and dripped off a foot away from leaking clamp causing problem...check the leak source closely.

Good luck!

I found a low milage PS pump & bracket & alt bracket at a bone yard for $40. Turns out the PO had fudged the alt & PS pump adjuster & I needed the brackets. I still have the old pump & may rebuild it someday.
So, always check adjusters on used MB's.
Change the PS filter when doing this work. Most MB's (IMHO) have never had a new PS filter!

Just looked after driving to work - nothing on NEW hood pad, yet, but I had cleaned it all last night.

There was fluid on the back edge of the PS pulley ... will check bottom tonight after another 30 miles or so to see what it is doing ...

Is there any real danger in using a product like this? If it doesn't appear to help, I will pull pump and replace shaft seal, but if it won't hurt, and might help without damaging anything ...

Options look like: Preston, Gunk, Gold, Lucas, STP ... any others?

Thanks!

Well, drove about 100 miles today - checked and .... yep ... fluid in a nice crisp line across my nice new hood pad!

So, guess I'll try some "sealant" tomorrow and go from there .... just ordered the ps kit from Phil.

Would be nice to have a period where my car wasn't blowing up!

If the leak is coming from the supply side hose, will a sealant fix that? I know in general that hoses should simply be replaced. But that hose costs $80.

No.

Power steering fluid leaks come from the following in order of their frequency. At least my order, some may disagree

pump front seal
high pressure hose
low pressure return hose
steering gear box pinion seal
steering box top seal.

So clean the engine power steering components.
and run the engine looking for the following tail signs.


For the font seal. Look around the front of the pump especially the rear of the pulley. It will sling the fluid up to the hood pad and down to the side of the engine compartment.

For the high pressure hose either a crack/cut in the hose or the fittings at each end will start to leak. The hoses can also start to weep. If it's where the fitting is screwed into the pump or steering box it may just need tightening.

For the low pressure hose. Usually just at the ends, try tightening the clamps. Or the hose can weep and is just getting old.

Steering box. Usually on the bottom where the drive shaft ( pinion shaft) comes out of the box. At times they can leak on the top plate where the steering wheel linkage goes into the box.

For the pump you can rebuild it. It is not a VERY difficult job, a job but doable. Just make sure you take the pump apart keeping the pieces in order and orientation. Take digital photos. If it falls apart, reassemble the unit based upon wear marks. If it falls apart you will know what I mean when looking at the pieces. The internal vanes that pump the fluid will all fall out if not careful. You can look at the wear on the various pieces and determine the assembly order.
The front seal can be done without pulling it apart and is a easy job.

Dave

PS when I say easy, I assume you have some experience working on cars. Not an ASE mechanic but just a normal tinkerer.

You can have a hydraulic shop rebuild the hose for $15-25.

Dave