Where would you begin to search for a power steering fluid leak.

Since I got the Clutch M/C fixed, the PS fluid has sprung.......sprung a leak

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Here's one thread I recalled seeing a while back - hopefully it'll help, especially if it's a 10-cent part:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-te ... gushing-out-1996-lt4.html

Lines can get kinda mushy if they get any oil on them.

Make sure to gets a 'crow's foot' wrench to replace the lines.

what is a "crows foot" wrench?

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Basically an open end wrench/socket

Get the flare nut style so it will wrap all the way around

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00994564000P?mv=rr

well, I'm not sure what I am fixing yet I know what tool to use.

Are we saying that the most common issue with this is the o-ring and the line itself?

I would bet the line itself.

They are exposed to all sorts of evil crap, and they just rot.

I have been there, done that, if you want help, lemme know. It's more annoying than hard. I have the necessary tools.

Do not get the hose type crows feet, they simply don't fit in the space available.

I have regular Line Wrenches, are these not able to be used?


And from what I am getting...the hoses are the culprits.

Seriously, it's like everything else, whenever you first encounter a problem with the these cars and you inquire about it....you'll get three or so replies right off the bat that just go in a certain direction. If you look at my Clutch Master Cylinder thread......it is a prime example of what I am describing.

Cynical folks like me brush off those comments, at first, only to discover in the long run that the problem traces right back to the first thing mentioned. When I finally got around to digging out that Clutch MC there was fluid inside the cabin running down toward the carpet.......just like you guys said it would be.

So what I am saying here is I'm listening (I've learned my lesson) so is it most likely to be those hoses?

Are you seeing fluid concentrated in a particular spot? Or is the level just going down without any other evidence? I also read about a case where the rack was leaking fluid into the bellows.

it's all along that front beam.......leaking when the car sits overnight

Unless the leaks in the boots, the lines will have to come off, either to replace the lines themselves or the other components.

Clean it off good, and sprinkle some flour on it to see where the leak is coming from.

Sure it's PS fluid and not engine oil?

BTW if you don't have a PS cooler, now would be a good time to put one in if you want.

^^ I am sure it is PS fluid....the oil leak is much darker LOL....... and the Auto Tranny spot is reddish and the coolant is watery with a green/rust tint with a sweet flavor.

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LOL

conjures up a certain image, huh?

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No chance in hell, John... There is zero space. You need to use the crows feet with 2' of extentions.

There are three hoses for 1984:

14048940 - PS Fluid Rsvr Hose
26002387 - Hose to rack from pump (unknown status)
14050021 - Hose to pump from rack (unknown status)

Ecklers has all three:

32403

32405

32406

You may want to call Jason at www.vette2vette.com, he may have some stuff... or even that dude in your area, the hose man.

I don't have any crows foot wrenches, yet I've replaced all my power steering lines, and the pump, and the rack, all at different times.


You only need one if you can't get the pressure line off from the rack.

My experience is the suction line with hose clamps is the first to go. PS fluid really softens the rubber. A leak in the suction line will seep when the car is off, but actually can pull air in when the car is running and cause foamy fluid.

The return line to the reservoir is under slight pressure and can also leak.

The reservoir on mine is a plastic mold and the parting line is right over the hose nipples (stupid!) so the hoses can leak or get cut there. I cleaned off the flashing with a knife for a smoother nipple. I don't like sharp nipples.

Foamy or overful fluid or bad driving can cause some fluid residue to blow out the top of the reservoir cap, but that doesn't usually amount to much.

My first step would be to clean off your grease monkey engine bay and drive it and see what gets wet.

Also don't get creative and try using a different type of hose for it. Buy the GM one or an equivalent. The PS fluid will eat right through rubber that's not designed for it.

Finally digging into this one.

The Drip is from that larger return hose. It looks like an upside down question mark and it attaches under the PS pump. That is where it is dripping from. It drips while the car is just sitting....drip drip drip. Then it runs all over the front beam and drips out from all areas of that beam.

I'm taking things off in order to get to that area to work on.

Agent 86 sent me a pdf but it is more about the rack and really weak on the hoses etc. I guess they feel that you should bring your own knowledge with simple things like PS pumps.....

and if you are keeping up with me, yes...I am working on the PS leak.....4x3 leak.........and Dana 36 short shaft bearing.....all at the same time.

That hose isn't too bad. Just make sure when you install the new one that you get the hose clamp to the pump in a position where you can get to it with a tool.

Aight...So here we are...what 11 months later almost??

I get the procrastination award without a doubt.

So here is what has transpired. I never did get to the leaky power steering...I just put a pan underneath to catch it......well the underside of the car is pretty much coated by now.

Then that smog pump went south. I pulled off the PS tank to get the Smog pump out and I guess I just kept digging. I pulled off the Alternator today and there was the PS pump. I started pulling the hoses and I noticed that I was down to just one more bolt holding the thing in....So.....

...While you are there.....

I figured if that high pressure hose was the one leaking I might as well get that replaced as well.

Holy Smokes...You'd think I was trying to storm the beaches at Omaha.....NONE of those line wrenches fit...I went to Kragen to buy an SAE set...but guess what size that fitting is that goes into the rack??? An 18mm is the ONLY Size that fits. And no kit comes with an 18mm line wrench.....No the SAE DID NOT FIT so don't start with me.

So getting the HP hose out of the pump itself...tow fittings a 3/4" with a 5/8" into it....why?? I dunno it just is...

So get this, one side of the hose has a 5/8" fitting and the other is an 18mm.....figure that one out sports fans.

When I went to Kragen I ordered the HP Hose...it'll be in Tomorrow...but since they cannot figure out the two other hoses, I'll be they get me the wrong HP hose.

Lemme ask you guys this. There are two hoses that go up to the fill tank.....WHAT is the larger diameter one called??.....for a better explanation...look at the bottom of your PS steering tank, there are two....the large one is what I am asking about. The small one is already purchased and ready to back in.

So that is my Sunday.

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Sorry Bogus, you gave the info and I ignored or forgot it

That is the suction line feeding the pump. No other way around it than to use the factory hose.

Usually when they leak, they let air get sucked into the pump when it's hot and pliable. That air chews up the pump. Then when you shut the car off it weeps.

Where do I get one?? Stealership?

AND since it is sitting on the Garage floor, should I put in a new (rebuilt)pump?

Only if the pump is suspect or groaning badly. Those reman pumps are a downgrade over a working original pump.

I think I had to get my suction hose at Corvette Central, most places didn't have it. I don't order from those places unless I have no other choice.

Aight, I'll check with them in the morning.

I ordered that High Pressure hose from Kragen, is there anything I need to be watching for on that one?

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Holy Smokes, $39 at J & D Vettes

So I took it all apart, and then let it slide for a month.

I was really busy, my 8 year olds Soccer team was in the play-offs and we won league Champs. I am the coach so I was really busy with my spare time being devoted to the team.

What was cool is, my 14 year old Son got tired of seeing the P/S pump, Alternator, P/S Res and Smog pump lying all over the garage floor.

He is so good with his hands

He yells at me that He is going to put it all back. I said OK, use these new craftsman Hose wrenches and put this hose here...etc....

Ya know what? That damn kid almost got the whole thing done in an afternoon. It's not often a person can look at something they didn't tear apart, and be able to successfully piece it together.

Understand, this is the type of kid that when He was five, you could give him a 1000 piece Lego kit, He'd take it up to his room and three hours later he'd come down and have the exact duplicate of what was on the cover.....never asking for bit of help during the process.

Anyway, we got it all put back together.

I think I over filled it when it was full of air. The first night, I think It must have overflowed or something because there was a lot of fluid on the ground. When I checked the Res, it was full of bubbles and the thing was groaning like it was empty, put that was due to all the air bleeding out of the system.

I thought due to the fluid that we didn't do something right and I was going to have to redo it all.

But then, the next few nights it was dry under there and the fluid level is perfect.

So maybe we got it right the first time.

All Three hoses, the entire system cleaned up is what we did.

Thanks for you Guru's help....

I'll state this for anyone experiencing this same thing.

It seemed to me that the only way to really address that upside down question mark looking hose....the only way to get to it was to take the pump off. So that is what I did. I figured that so many had trouble with the High pressure hose that....."While I was in there" ......I would take care of it as well.

I had to destroy that old hose to get it off.

I feel better now that I have three new "dry" hoses down there.

Good to hear

Nice of your son too

Of course you know who will want to borrow it later

Can be done without removing the pump, on an 85 at least, just working by feel. You have to be careful to position the hose clamps where you can get to them with everything bolted together.