Power steering leak

[jpinvictus]

So, got my new vr4 to replace my totaled stealth, charged the a/c, hop in and start driving. Boom, no power steering. At first I thought the shop did something stupid and crushed a power steering line when they checked for a/c leaks, but now that I've found the leak I'm guessing it's more coincidence. Though if any of you think otherwise from the pictures, that'd be interesting :rolleyes:

But onto the main question.: I'm only a hobby-mechanic, don't really do anything intense. I'm slowly learning more and tackling bigger jobs on these cars, from the pictures/video, does this look like an easy fix? Is it just tightening that nut, or does it look like th e o-ring is bad? Whatever the case, what would me fixing it entail? Hopefully not a new rack, as this one is new.

It seems that the leak is at the nut where the pressure tube connects to the valve housing.



https://vimeo.com/161564471

And if that video doesn't load

vimeo.com/161564471

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160405/81794d2fadce901700e206334ed69db1.jpg



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[R/T93]

That fitting is metal to metal, its a tube/flare fitting. It may seal up just tightening it or the flare may be damaged and it wont seal anymore. Snug it up with a flare nut wrench and see what happens.

It looks like its threaded all the way in though :/ Would require possible retubing or maybe the threads are bad, youll have to find out.

[DocWalt]

Make sure the nut is tight, but I'm betting on a faulty o-ring.

[R/T93]

Yeah what he says!

[jpinvictus]

Well guess I'll be trying that tomorrow! If it doesn't work, would replacing the o-ring require retubing, or are those separate fixes?
What would those entail, if you don't mind elaborating.

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[jpinvictus]

Also, what is that entire part called? I know where it connects is the " valve housing ", but what's the whole part? The oil pump? Gear box? The manual makes it seem like the gear box.

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[DocWalt]

The name of that part is the gearbox. You should be OK with just replacing the o-ring, if not you MAY need a new tube. It's been 7 years or so since I swapped racks, but I remember the o-ring being a fairly standard size.

[jpinvictus]

So I'll just use a flare nut wrench, disconnect the hose, size the o-ring, and replace, and see if that works? All there is to it?

Also, should I be bleeding my power steering lines because of this? Any other things I should know?

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[DocWalt]

Yep, just take it apart, get a new o-ring, lube up the o-ring with some power steering fluid and install, then torque it back up.

Yes, you'll need to bleed the lines. With the car off (and at least the front end in the air) turn the wheel back and forth lock-to-lock ~25 times, then repeat with the car running but in the air. Should be good to go from that point.

[jpinvictus]

Awesome! So, there's not a specific torque rating I need to worry about, right? Just tighten it down?

And there's nothing I need to loosen or open when bleeding? Should I leave the cap off the resevoir?

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[DocWalt]

Awesome! So, there's not a specific torque rating I need to worry about, right? Just tighten it down?

And there's nothing I need to loosen or open when bleeding? Should I leave the cap off the resevoir?

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There's a torque figure, but you'd be VERY hard pressed to get a crow's foot wrench and a torque wrench anywhere near that fitting. I'd personally go a bit tighter than "snug" with a wrench, but it's definitely a feel thing.

I'd leave the cap off because you're going to need to add fluid. Maybe put a rag over it if you're worried about spillage.

[gawdzinner]

is it possible for you to snap a picture of the flare end and the o-ring before you reassemble? I suspect I have to replace the same o-ring in my car.

[jpinvictus]

I'll take a picture of what I can, sure!

I'm not messing around with sizing it though haha. It may be overpriced, but I ordered the $4.00 replacement from 3sx, it's an oem ring.

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[gawdzinner]

It may be overpriced, but I ordered the $4.00 replacement from 3sx, it's an oem ring.

lol, I would do the same!