Power steering fluid leak - VP

[LoZzA199]

heyas

i have a VP 6 cyl.
power steering has been leaking for quite a while have not got round to fixing it. its hard to tell where it is actually coming from. it it damp around the pump but doesnt seem too much. on the bottom of the rack its dripping i guess cos it all runs down there. im hoping its just one of the high or low pressure hoses.

but i am told that if the leak is slow its the rack and if its fast its the pump?
this leak is very slow i top the reservoir up every 3 weeks or so.

so is there any common things i should look out for first before i go replacing any parts?

[Morton]

Yeah, in my experience the best way to track down a leak, is to thoroughly degrease the whole engine and underside, dry it off, then go for a good long spirited drive. When you get back, inspect key areas and see if you can identify where the oil is coming from. Shouldn't have moved too far in that time.

If it's the pump, a good secondhandy should get you by. If it's the rack, see how serious it is... if it's not too bad, then don't bother getting it fixed unless you have the money to spare or can change the rack yourself. Not worth fiddling with it for an old commodore, unless you really love your ride. Old cars leak - it's a fact

If you're lucky, it may only be a hose. I had a leak from my pump return hose. cheap and easy to fix yourself.

good luck

[immortality]

if it's the pump it might be leaking from the main O ring seal for the pump backing plate. i think you cna get seal kits quiet cheap from holden.

it it's the rack try tightning all the fitting first. as morton said, degrease and take for a drive should help to track it down

[Emackulation]

I have had a few issues with leaks on my powersteer over time. Ive experienced that the clamp on a hose was not tight enough, under pressure it leaked. Then I had a Pinion seal leak, which resulted in a whole new rack, also, I had a leak coming from the 2 lines from the rack leading back to the power steer pump, these 2 nuts re quite hard to get to if the cars on the ground, easiest with a hoist. Just keep in mid that power steer fluid is flammable from what i've been told so be careful and get it fixed asap.

[dijm8]

yeh ive also got the same problem ever since i had the car im not to worried about it its only a slow leak and i top it up every week so it dosent bother me.ive got better things to buy then to waste my money on a new rack :P

[cit51]

If you have the time and the patience, you can rebuilt the rack yourself.
Have a look here;

rebuild rack and pinion DIY?

The exploded view in there is handy and shows you all the seals you need to renew.
I forgot the little o-ring in the top of the pinion and sure enough it still leaked through there...
Fixed it now and it is not leaking anymore.

[Gillz]

ahhh vp steering leaks. on my vp, u name it, it's leaked from it. transmission too... I guess my car doesnt like to hold the dexron III.

[vn calais manual]

Old cars leak - it's a fact
good luck

true'r words were never spoken

[pow3rslave]

mine leaks from where the reservoir joins the pump. i took the res off, drained and dried it, built up round the nozzle of it with black gasket, then when that set i chucked it back in. held for a while but now it's leaking again, might try to dry off the inside of the pump too, and then put the res back in when the gasket stuffs wet.

[vp+10psi]

Ok boy and girls there is a few things you all need to know number one think you don’t do with power steering is you don’t use any sealer on joints unless you know what your doing if one tiny bit of sealer breaks away and lodges in the bypass valve your steering will go rock hard in a split second with no warning so just don’t do it unless you like kissing trees

The top tank on Vn-P/R Commos is easily removed first remove the Belt Pulley then very carefully remove the fluid return hose these hoses can get extremely brittle and you can break the tank in a blink of an eye now with the hose off remove the three small mounting bolts then lift the tank off

Now remove the old O-ring it will be stuck on the tank lug or in the pump housing now listen GO GET A NEW O/RING costs 50 cents at any auto or bearing shop try to get a silicon one if you can they last a lot longer

Clean the tank and pump housing fit the new O/Ring to the bottom the tank lightly lube the O/Ring and fit the tank back on now at this stage take a look at the three bolt holes I bet they don’t quite line up again don’t stress these tanks are prone to warp age just mark where the holes need to be and gently redrill the holes this will fix your leak the hole operation takes 40 minutes and the problem solved

[millaz88]

ok so if i redrill holes in the tank it will fix the leak??? i have replaced the o rings twice still leaks all over the joint ill give the redrill a go tomoro hopefully it fixes it