Power steering leak

[Springbuck]

Today when I drove back from work I heard a noise coming from the engine and I noticed the steering was getting kinda notchy. the closer I got to the house the more difficult it became to turn. So when I got home I opened the hood and saw the power steering fluid reservoir was empty, which was strange as I had checked it this weekend and it was still fine, but I filled it and started the car and turned the wheel to se what it does. The fluid almost empties faster than I can fill it and the "leak" (or flood seems a better word) seems to be coming from the steering rack itself. I will have to lift the car to say for sure, but it is leaking under the driver side by the rack itself not from the power steering pump. Anyone want to venture a guess as to what it can be?

[Sponsor]

[viney266]

Check the power steering fluid lines!

[WD40]

There's a fitting on the rack, directly above the rear motor mount.
I'll bet that's where it's coming from.

How to fix it?

[whynotthinkwhynot]

There are both lines and plugs in the rack and going to the rack. I'd check the one going to the rack first. You might get lucky and its just a loose fitting, but more than likely it's the feed line from the pump. If the damage looks like age damage and not anything else, you might want to replace BOTH the supply and return lines so that you don't have to do it again in a few months. I doubt if there's a price advantage except for the fluid costs. Also.. it is a Ford, check your manual to see what's recommended for the fluid. Most Fords use ATF (not Mercon) which is basically the same thing as P-steering fluid (unless you drive a Honda/Toyt) but has red dye and will save you $1 per quart.

Good luck, those can be hard to get off.. I hope it's just loose !!!

[Springbuck]

Well, they foud it. The power steering return line has a "zip tie" used to route the return line and hold it in place. This was broken "or missing" and the cacle had chaffed on something untill it chaffed through and all the fluids leaked out. The replaced the return line, flushed it and bled it to get the air out. Seems to run OK now. Luckily I am still under warrenty. According to our SVT supplements the power steering fluid is actually Mercon ATF.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

Interesting... I always thought ATF was one type of fluid and Mercon 2, 3, 4, & 5 were another. I know ATF is thicker and some older Ford transmissions won't work if you put Mercon in because my dad did that once, I think, he doesn't always know exactly what he's saying.

Thanks for coming back and telling us what happened