Power steering fluid leak?

Follow the high pressure and return lines to the rack. also, check the pump itself and check the rack and pinion too. If you don't find anything, they make a dye you can purchase. Install it, drive it, and check it with a black light.

I got in my car to pull out of a parking spot, and when I backed up I could not turn the wheel much. I looked on the ground in front of me, and there was power steering fluid in a big puddle. I know it is something to do with the power steering, but not sure if it is the pump itself, or a hose. I just bought the car 2 weeks ago, so I dont know when it was changed last.

Good afternoon,

You need to fill the fluid and start the car. Then have someone turn the wheel back and forth and watch for the fluid leak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-problems

Let me know what you find so I can help you with the repair.

Roy

Alright, I will do that. Headed to get power steering fluid now. I will be back to let you know what it is doing.

Sounds like a plan.

Roy

Okay,it is leaking from the hose toward the back of the pump, from what I can see. But it isn't making any noise. Where as earlier it was making the gurgling noise, when there was no fluid.

Okay, I attached the procedure for you for the hose.

Make sure you flush the system when you are done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/power-steering-fluid-flush

Roy

Good morning, my steering is squealing and kind of stiff. There is fluid on the ground. I am thinking my power steering is leaking somewhere?

Hi Javva,

Sounds like to me it is the power steering pump itself. Here is a step by step how to go through the system looking for leaks. Also, attached are the instructions on how to replace the pump.

I suspect the front seal on the pump has failed and the pump is squealing (maybe the belt because of the fluid on it) and it is still because the pump has failed.

Please let me know if you need anything else. Thanks

Alright, thank you! You have been a big help.

Hi. Thanks for the response. I wish I could do all that or even try to. I did just check the dipstick and there is plenty of power steering fluid So I don't know but that is all I can do. I guess I didn't mention that I am a senior , female, not that it means I couldn't do it if I had a place and the tools to but I don't.. so my big question is I am really scared to take it somewhere and getting ripped off badly when I don't know anything about it. Can you give me advice on that ? At least if I have an idea of the problems it isn't so bad. I hope you understand what I mean.

You are welcome.

always glad to help.

Roy

I totally understand. Unfortunately, without looking at it, it's hard to tell you exactly what it is. If it does require a new pump, it looks like the price ranges from $65.00 to $150.00. It should be about another $150.00 to $200.00 in labor.

However, I would suggest calling around to some friends or reaching to people in your community (like at Church or something) and asking if any of them know a reputable repair shop. Then ask that maybe they go with you or make a call on your behalf. When they come recommended, usually you can't go wrong, but there is no sure way to know they are only doing what is necessary.

Worst case scenario, just post what they are recommending here on this site and I will be happy to review it and see if it makes sense.

Please let me know if I can be of more assistance. Thanks

Hi, where are you? I wouldn't be lucky enough to have you in Saskatoon would I ? Lol. I was talking to someone and they said Good Year or KalTire is where they go. well I will see what happens this next week. thanks a lot to me.

Haha. Sorry. I’m in the states on the east coast, pretty far from there. However my grandparents were from Red Deer that’s not far from you. Small world.

Those franchise businesses are not a bad choice because they rely on return business because they don’t sell the cars or even the parts that go on them. They just service them. If they don’t treat people right then they go out of business because there is nothing else that forces people to go back to them.

Lol. not too far few hundred miles. Also RedDeer is in Alberta and I am in Saskatchewan..
That is too bad you aren't here. I used to drive semi and drove State side.We had another office in Spokane also.. Actually I have relatives in South bend Indiana. It is a holiday weekend here so I can't do anything until Tuesday.. Thank you do much for your help and advise I really appreciate it..
Have a nice afternoon...
Sincerely ,

Lydia L.

My power steering fluid is getting low within one week. I have already gotten the power steering pump replaced, new rack and pinion and high pressure power steering hose replaced. What could be the cause for the fluid to drop?

Welcome to 2CarPros.

The first thing I suggest is to place a piece of cardboard under it or something clean and let it sit over night. Then, check to see if there are any drops of fluid. That will give you an idea where to look. There has to be a leak. Any of the hose connections can be leaking.

Check around the reservoir to see if anything is wet. Since everything is new, that is one of my first guesses.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Hi... Good morning.... Well I still have not gotten my car fixed... Can't afford to yet..I
keep checking and making sure there is fluid in the steering thing....and there is. I
have added a little a couple times but it really isn't leaking.. I see what it is doing.
As soon as I start the car and just barely turn the steering wheel it gets really foamy
and then that is what over flows....A guy looked at the belt and said it looks fine to him
like it isn't cracked or anything..Still makes a horrid noise and is hard to turn at first then
it isn't to bad or noisy..So what is with the foamy stuff ??
Sincerely ,
Lydia L.

The foaming is air in the system. This means you have a leak somewhere allowing air in the system then when you turn the wheel the pump moves the air out. When it is hard to turn this is the air in the pump chambers rather then fluid. So when it forces that air out and replaces it with fluid your assist returns.

The leak could be between the pump and reservoir so you don’t see an external leak but it allows air in.

You are awesome! Still wish you were her ! So if it is the air and pump etc. how much would you estimate that to cost to get fixed? Am I harming it more if I drive it a little bit?

I appreciate the kind words. Looks like the new pump ranges from $75-$150 and the labor is about an hour so depending on the door rate, it should be around $250-300. They more than likely will charge a diagnostic charge as well because they want to figure it out on their own rather than taking your or my word for it so that will add a little to it but you will be in that ball park.

As for hurting anything, the pump aerating will not cause any issues. However, if it is leaking then the oil can cause the belt to slip (which is probably what your noise is) but it won't hurt any other steering components as long as you don't run out of fluid.

Let me know if you need anything else and I will be happy to help.

You are the best! Thank you so much again.. you have no idea how much I appreciate it!

You are welcome. Thanks for using 2CarPros. Tell a friend or two!

How much stop leak do I put in the reservoir and how long will it last?

Welcome to 2CarPros.

The amount is really based on the product. When you say stop leak, I think of radiator products. What product do you have and are there directions on the bottle?

As far as how long it will last, it may not even work. It is all based on what is causing the leak. Can you tell me where you see if leaking from?

Thanks,
Joe

Steering problem
2004 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 200k miles

power steering fluid has been leaking tried using power steering stop leak but did not work n would like to know how to repair or to replace hose?

if it is something you unsure of doing i would take it to a professional. if not you can purchase a repair manual for the job

ok thank you for your response very much appreciate it

Two weeks ago, my power steering started failing me (or so I thought) so I took the car to have it repaired. The mechanic told me that there was still a leak. The mechanic told me that it may have been leaking from the rack and pinon. I then had the rack and pinon fixed by a different mechanic. Now that same mechanic told me that the line was bad but he did not want to change it because he did not want me to be upset. Which actually irritated me. After he fixed the rack and pinon line, the car is still leaking. I do not understand. Where can this problem actually be coming from?

The best way to approach this is clean off all the old fluid, top off the fluid, get the vehicle up on a lift, start the engine and turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction until the steering wheel is against the steering stop and lightly press against that steering stop, which will raise the pressure. Then look for the very first drop of fluid.