Power Steering Leaking

Well folks here's the issue... I noticed my power steering fluid was low... So I buy some Dextron III and I fill 'er up to the middle of the "hot" section. And now after the car sits overnight or a few hours there'll be a spot on the ground where the fluid is leaking again. I checked underneath, and the front portion of the right frame rail was soaked with fluid. Is there any definate way to tell if this is from the P/S pump itself or the rack and pinion?


Sean

Well folks here's the issue... I noticed my power steering fluid was low... So I buy some Dextron III and I fill 'er up to the middle of the "hot" section. And now after the car sits overnight or a few hours there'll be a spot on the ground where the fluid is leaking again. I checked underneath, and the front portion of the right frame rail was soaked with fluid. Is there any definate way to tell if this is from the P/S pump itself or the rack and pinion?


Sean
Check the dust cover on that side of the rack. The seals will go out eventually on these things and it is hard to tell where it is leaking from. Mine is leaking from both sides, just haven't felt like replacing the rack yet. Mine has fluid on the same spot as yours.

The only way to tell for sure is to clean up the whole area where the leak seems to be coming from then have someone turn the wheels lock to lock e few times while you look for any signs of a leak.

The only way to tell for sure is to clean up the whole area where the leak seems to be coming from then have someone turn the wheels lock to lock e few times while you look for any signs of a leak.
I should have said to clean it myself. I had to spray degreaser all over and then hit it with a pressure washer just to see where the new fluid was coming from. It was very hard to see just where it was leaking from until I did clean it. I first thought it was leaking from the pump or lines because of where it was dripping. Best to reach up from the bottom side to get all of that old fluid off the unibody rail and tops of the A-arms. Clean the dust covers on the end of the rack as well. I think a new rack from auto-zone was under $180.00. I have been told it was not a hard job, you will just have to have an allignment after you change it out.

If I have a spare moment this weekend I'll have a better look at where it is coming from. Thanks for the replies guys.

my powersteering on my SV21 was spewing out oil (going through about 500mL every 3 days) so I went to a wreckers and got a second hand one with the high pressure hose and replaced it myself for AU$45 (the mechanic quoted me AU $350).

my problem now is that when I refitted the pump I didnt seat it with the belt tight enough so now it squeals at full lock. I tried to adjust it but the head on the adjuster bolt has rounded and I cant get the spanner to grip.

does anyone know the size of the power steering pump adjuster bolt in an SV21?? I'm thinking of hacking the other one and slipping it out and replacing it but I'm not sure of the bolt size.

Well we're going to bring it into the shop on Wed. to have it checked out. No doing something like this myself. Leave it to a pro.