Power steering gone bad ?

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 3:13 pm

For a while I've had a PS leak, and have just been managing the fluid levels. Things of late have gotten worse, and something's gonna need a replacing.

With fluid in the reservoir and at low speeds, I can make sharp left turns with minimal effort, making right turns it's almost like manual steer. At higher speeds, turning left still takes minimal effort, and turning right takes some effort, but it's not quite to the 'manual steer' point.

That being said... do you think there's something wrong with the pump ? The steering gear ? Something else ?

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 5:02 pm

How Bad is the leak? Dripping constantly, or just wet hoses? How often are you refilling?
What does the fluid look like? Clear or Milky?
Are you using an off brand of PS fluid or ATF+4 Mopar PS Fluid?

Is the Pump WHINING when you turn?

I'm still rocking the original PS pump and hoses..... at 212,000+
I had heavy steering until I replaced my rack last month, of course the new fluid helped also....

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 5:19 pm

03CDKJ wrote:

How Bad is the leak? Dripping constantly, or just wet hoses? How often are you refilling?
What does the fluid look like? Clear or Milky?
Are you using an off brand of PS fluid or ATF+4 Mopar PS Fluid?

Is the Pump WHINING when you turn?

I'm still rocking the original PS pump and hoses..... at 212,000+
I had heavy steering until I replaced my rack last month, of course the new fluid helped also....

The leak was fairly steady, but a couple of bottles of leak stop later slowed things down to a slight drip. Fluid was always atf4, and it almost seemed like if I put a bucket under the KJ i could reuse the fluid ( I never did, but it was always clear ).

Very little to no whining. I've only ever really noticed a whine when the fluid got really low.

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 5:50 pm

If your inner tie rod boots are dry..... I'd say hoses...
I would even get under the KJ, disconnect the inner boots (the big side of the boot) and pull it back and make sure inner tie rods are tight and not leaking from there first. (quick and easy) before you start with the hoses.... Steering hoses are EXPENSIVE!!!

That's all I got Rob, maybe some of the other guys can chime in....

Good luck buddy!
:JEEPIN:

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Jan 02, 2013 6:10 pm

Thanks Chris. I will check that out this weekend.

Power steering gone bad ?

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