HELP! Power steering leaking BAD!

[Db0y]

So I topped off all my fluids yesterday and to my surprise when I woke up to go to class today, there is a puddle on the driveway and my power steering pump is bone dry...
What do i do?!
It's my DD and my baby...

83' K5
chevy 350
700r4

 

[chulisohombre]

Either get a new pump or seals or lines. Have to put more fluid in and see where it's leaking out specifically.

 

[Db0y]

Either get a new pump or seals or lines. Have to put more fluid in and see where it's leaking out specifically.

The first picture is where it is leaking, so I don't know what I need to do, and replacing sounds pricey..

 

[Fordum]

If its leaking there by the rag joint, then its the input shaft seal on the steering sector.
Rockauto sells a complete rebuilt steering sector for about $100, but there is a $100 core charge, so you are probably better off buying locally.

You can buy that seal fairly cheap, but I would not advise it. Odds are other parts are worn.

BUT, and this is very important! What did you put in it?? It must be power steering or automatic transmission fluid.
Power steering is recommended, but atf will work.
The reason I ask, is I have seen people put in brake fluid. The results are usually like you describe.
A sudden leak.

If you put in brake fluid, you got more problems than just that one leak.

If you did not use brake fluid, then sooner or later you will have to replace or rebuild that steering sector.
But, there are a couple of things that might buy you a little time.

First, the power steering stop leak that they sell in parts houses is not a substitute for fixing worn out parts, but it might help for a little while.

Second, many times a shaft leak like that will only leak in a certain position. Friend of mine drove his car for over a year with no fluid loss by always being certain to park it with the steering wheel turned a certain way.

Either way, the first step is to pour in more fluid and see what happens.

 

[Db0y]

If its leaking there by the rag joint, then its the input shaft seal on the steering sector.
Rockauto sells a complete rebuilt steering sector for about $100, but there is a $100 core charge, so you are probably better off buying locally.

You can buy that seal fairly cheap, but I would not advise it. Odds are other parts are worn.

BUT, and this is very important! What did you put in it?? It must be power steering or automatic transmission fluid.
Power steering is recommended, but atf will work.
The reason I ask, is I have seen people put in brake fluid. The results are usually like you describe.
A sudden leak.

If you put in brake fluid, you got more problems than just that one leak.

If you did not use brake fluid, then sooner or later you will have to replace or rebuild that steering sector.
But, there are a couple of things that might buy you a little time.

First, the power steering stop leak that they sell in parts houses is not a substitute for fixing worn out parts, but it might help for a little while.

Second, many times a shaft leak like that will only leak in a certain position. Friend of mine drove his car for over a year with no fluid loss by always being certain to park it with the steering wheel turned a certain way.

Either way, the first step is to pour in more fluid and see what happens.

Yeah, I used Valvoline power steering fluid.
And I know you said you that you wouldn't advise it, but how much of a pain is it to replace that seal? Just curious because I'd rather do that while I save up for a rebuild kit. But I'll try playing with how I park it to see if that does the trick. Thanks for the advice!


Oh and your quote about men becoming humans made my laugh! Lol

 

[readymix]

It's pretty easy to replace just that seal. The tricky part in a full rebuild is properly setting the gear preload on the sector shaft

 

[Db0y]

It's pretty easy to replace just that seal. The tricky part in a full rebuild is properly setting the gear preload on the sector shaft

Alright. And sorry for the easy question, but do I have to take the whole pump off, or just the input shaft (?) to replace the seal?
I'm still new to all this...

 

[readymix]

Remove intermediate shaft, and change the seal

 

[Db0y]

Remove intermediate shaft, and change the seal

Alright, thanks!

 

[chulisohombre]

If it is a new just started leak I would try some Lucas power steering stop leak. It has helped on all of my vehicles that have a small leak. It will swell the seals slightly to recondition dry rotted seals and stop the leak. If its too bad you need to pull the steering shaft and take off the sector cap which is over that seal. You have to reset the preload correctly though or you will damage the bearings. I thing it is 9-12 inch pounds. The drag link has to come off to check it. Thatk30guy did a good bit of info on how to adjust the steering shaft and sector shaft with the actual numbers.

 

[ashman]

If you're new to working on stuff like that I'd try the junkyard first. I'd bet you could pick one up for around $30 that would get you by.

 

[Deuling]

Ord sells remans also if you save your pennies, but if you ever plan on doing crossover steering, I wouldn't buy a new one just to have to swap it later.