Power Steering leak....help!

[cloudsearthangel]

I have a 95 windstar with bout 120,000 miles on it it has had a pwoer steering leak since we bought it.it leaks underneath on left side behind the tire though i know that it leakin from some where else and just drain there me and my son changed the high pressure hose so i have looked underneath but still can't determined where it's coming from i would like to fix this prob my self or at least know fer sure where it's coming from if i have to take it in.....any suggestions would be a big help thanks.christina

[wiswind]

It may be leaking from the seals on the steering rack.
You can find some great information for free at www.autozone.com
If you look under the vehicle specific repair guides, you will find a repair guide for the 95-98 windstar.
There will be some diagrams which will show the parts break down for the steering system.
You can also do a search within this windstar room on "steering rack" and see what other people have done.
I have not had the problem that you describe.
However, I do know that the correct fluid to use in your power steering system is a "Type F" automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
Do NOT use "power steering fluid" from the auto parts store.

[cloudsearthangel]

Originally Posted by wiswind

It may be leaking from the seals on the steering rack.
You can find some great information for free at www.autozone.com
If you look under the vehicle specific repair guides, you will find a repair guide for the 95-98 windstar.
There will be some diagrams which will show the parts break down for the steering system.
You can also do a search within this windstar room on "steering rack" and see what other people have done.
I have not had the problem that you describe.
However, I do know that the correct fluid to use in your power steering system is a "Type F" automatic transmission fluid (ATF).
Do NOT use "power steering fluid" from the auto parts store.

thank u so much for ur help....i have not been putting type f in but dexron III mercon....i assumed because it had for fords on it that it was the rite type....could this of caused damage to the seals?

[wiswind]

My guess is that you are OK....later years used Mercon in the power steering.
You should use Mercon ATF in your '95 transmission.
You certainly don't want to put the wrong type ATF in the transmission, but I am guessing that you are just fine with the power steering.

This should not be taken as a recommendation that one use Mercon in place of the "Type F" ATF that FORD specifies for the power steering in the '95 & '96 windstar.
Just that you most likely have not hurt anything by doing so.