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Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this?


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dzer13
Novice

Oct 13, 2014, 4:29 PM

Post #1 of 11 (3410 views)
Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

2000 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.8 v6 GTP

power steering fluid was leaking heavily and a trail was noticeable behind the car as I got out and walked around behind it in my garage tonight. There is a pool of it under the driver side behind the front driver side wheel.

I started hearing the wining about 10 days ago. I went online and tried to find where to add fluid after that and found a few posts saying the general are. I looked and could not find it. I assumed my coolant overflow reservoir would need to be removed. I actually planned to work on that today when I got home. The steering got really hard today and I had to use 2 hands to turn the car.

When I saw the leak I honestly thought it was oil first, but did some research and I am certain it is pow steering fluid.

I took a picture of where I can see fluid dripping from and the drain trail to where I believe to be the actual leak. This site won't accept my new log in for some reason so I can't post the pic. I will keep trying.

The best I can describe the leak spot is at the end of a connection from a hard metal hose to a part that resembles the compression section of a fancy plunger. It has triangular ridges but is cylindrical in shape and length.

I am broke right now and everything is falling apart. I really need to find out if I can fix this myself, about how much it would cost and what I need to do it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Oct 13, 2014, 4:51 PM

Post #2 of 11 (3393 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

Does it look like it is leaking out of the end of this?



To add fluid is a pain in the butt because they stuck the reservoir between the engine and the firewall right below the alternator. You'll need a funnel and flashlight to add to it.







Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 13, 2014, 5:05 PM)


dzer13
Novice

Oct 13, 2014, 5:21 PM

Post #3 of 11 (3380 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

yes it looks like it is coming right out of the end


dzer13
Novice

Oct 13, 2014, 5:24 PM

Post #4 of 11 (3377 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

i finally found the reservoir for the fluid. I have a small container of pow steering fluid I'm pretty sure I can snake down there and get it in when i'm sure it won't all leak out again. Wish I had done that before.....


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Oct 13, 2014, 5:30 PM

Post #5 of 11 (3374 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

If it is truly leaking from the accordion bellow thing (which is called a steering rack boot), you are going to need to replace the entire powersteering rack as shown in that picture. What is happening is the shaft or rack that goes through the middle has seals on the ends. When the seals get hard or worn out they allow power steering fluid to leak out and fill up the rack boot.

It is possible to rebuilt the rack and install new seals, but your better off replacing the entire rack. The rack has to come out and really isn't something for a novice to tackle.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dzer13
Novice

Oct 13, 2014, 5:37 PM

Post #6 of 11 (3372 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

ouch. is there anything that i can do to make sure this is where the leak is coming from . maybe add some fluid and start the car and look underneath?

how much would repairing what you described cost me do you think?


Thank you so much for taking the time to help. It is so much appreciated !


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 13, 2014, 5:49 PM

Post #7 of 11 (3365 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

Well, you could clean the area off. Start the engine with power steering fluid in the reservoir. Have someone turn the steering wheel while you watch for leaks. Pay attention to hoses that go to the rack. If you don't see any leaks, cut the clamp that holds the boot to the rack. Slide the smaller clamp off that holds the end of the boot to the tie rod end. Pull the boot back and look in there. If fluid pours out when you remove the boot, pretty sure the seal is leaking.

Depends on the shop you take it to's labor rate. If their rate is $100/hour, your around the $1000 range.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 13, 2014, 5:51 PM)


dzer13
Novice

Oct 13, 2014, 5:56 PM

Post #8 of 11 (3359 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

Thank you so much for your professional responses and information. I'm at a loss right now and not sure what to do as far as fixing it (financially), but, I promise I will come back here and let you know what the outcome is.

Thank you again, sir, for your time and knowledge.

Sincerely,

Dan


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Oct 13, 2014, 5:58 PM

Post #9 of 11 (3358 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

Your welcome and hope you get your problem resolved soon. We'll keep the thread open for you.Smile





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


dzer13
Novice

Oct 14, 2014, 10:52 AM

Post #10 of 11 (3335 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

I got it towed this am and got an estimate. $1214.96 :(

They said I need to replace the entire power steering rack and both outer tie rod ends as well as the pressure line hose and that I would need an alignment done after. They estimated 6 hours of labor not including the alignment. Their labor charges are $94.70 p/hr.

They were very very nice and gave me the estimate for free. I was totally upfront with them and told them that I likely would not be able to give them any money until Friday but I needed my car if it was at all drivable.

The owner told me I should be able to drive it as is without doing anymore damage. He said it would be possible to blow a fluid pump if it is running dry but that the steering shouldn't get any worse or give out completely. He said to try to keep some fluid in it and add some Lucas pow steering additive with the fluid to try and make the steering better when I can or when I plan to drive it an extended distance.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do in the long run. I may have to eventually buy a new car, but financially that is not an option right now. It's a shame this happened. I have had the car for 90 days and I really really liked it. Everything else works great. I did change the fuel filter myself recently, but that was it.

Would you agree with what he said about me being able to drive around without causing more damage as long as I can handle the lack of power steering?

Thank you again so much for your help last night! So much appreciated!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Oct 14, 2014, 11:09 AM

Post #11 of 11 (3333 views)
Re: Pow Steering Fluid leak -can i fix this? Sign In

Quote from first post">>I started hearing the wining about 10 days ago.<<"


Oooops. That was a mistake and chances of pump going is much higher and that would be on top of all this. Does it pump/assist at all if you fill it even if leaking now?


Price seems a tad aggressive but can't say what was found and do not have a labor guide for the replacement but sounds like 6 hours is a lot to me.


Alignment should be a flat rate and in fixing this should not have anything else worn such that it can't be aligned not found checking it.


IDK - You could ask around for a better price but none will be free. Kinda stuck to do it,


T







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