Power Steering Fluid Leaks
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Steering Wheel and Column Description and Operation |
| 2 | Verify that power steering fluid leaks are present. Is the power steering system leaking? | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Inspect the power steering system fittings. Are the fittings leaking? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the power steering hoses. Are the hoses leaking? | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering sensors. Are the sensors leaking? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering pump, shaft seal, and the remote power steering fluid reservoir for leaks. Is the power steering pump, shaft seal, or the remote power steering fluid reservoir leaking? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the steering gear for leaks. Is the steering gear leaking? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Tighten the fittings. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 9 | Replace the power steering hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Inlet Hose Replacement Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Outlet Hose Replacement Power Steering Gear Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Gear Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 10 | Replace the power steering sensors. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 11 | Replace the power steering pump, shaft seal, or remote power steering fluid reservoir. Refer to the appropriate procedures: Power Steering Pump Replacement Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Replacement Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 12 | Replace the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | |
| 13 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System General Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - Power Steering System |
| 2 | Verify that a rattle, clunk or shudder noise is present. Is a rattle, clunk or shudder noise present? | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Inspect the power steering hoses for proper routing and clearance. Is the routing or clearance of the power steering hoses incorrect? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Inspect the engine drive belt for excessive wear. Refer to Drive Belt Falls Off and Excessive Wear Diagnosis . Is the drive belt cracked or excessively worn? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Inspect the power steering pump pulley for damage. Is the power steering pump pulley damaged? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Inspect the power steering pump for the proper installation. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Is the power steering pump installation incorrect? | Go to Step 13 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Inspect the steering gear for the proper installation. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement . Is the power steering gear installation incorrect? | Go to Step 14 | Go to Step 8 |
| 8 | Inspect the suspension. Is the suspension worn? | Go to Step 15 | Go to Step 9 |
| 9 | Inspect the intermediate shaft. Is the intermediate shaft worn? | Go to Step 16 | Go to Step 3 |
| 10 | Adjust or replace the hoses. Refer to the appropriate procedure(s): Power Steering Cooler Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Inlet Hose Replacement Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Outlet Hose Replacement Power Steering Gear Inlet Pipe/Hose Replacement Power Steering Gear Outlet Pipe/Hose Replacement Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 11 | Replace the engine drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 12 | Replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pump Pulley Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 13 | Install the power steering pump correctly. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 14 | Install the steering gear correctly. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 15 | Replace the worn suspension components. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 16 | Replace the intermediate shaft. Refer to Intermediate Steering Shaft Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 17 | |
| 17 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|
| 1 | Did you review the Power Steering System Description and perform the necessary inspections? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Steering Wheel and Column Description and Operation |
| 2 | Verify that a whine or growl noise is present. Is a whine or growl noise present? | Go to Step 3 | System OK |
| 3 | Inspect the power steering fluid for the following indications of contamination: Milky fluid - water Brown Fluid - burnt Debris in fluid - plastic or dirt Is the fluid free of contamination? | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Flush the power steering system. Refer to Power Steering System Flushing . Did you complete the procedure? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 | Using the J 39570 Chassis Ear, inspect the power steering gear for a whine or growl noise. Is the noise present at the power steering gear? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 6 |
| 6 | Using the J 39570 , inspect the power steering pump for a whine or growl noise. Is the noise present at the power steering pump? | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 7 |
| 7 | Using the J 39570 , inspect the power steering hoses for a whine or growl noise. Is the noise present at the power steering hoses? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 2 |
| 8 | Replace the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 11 | |
| 9 | Replace the power steering pump. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement . Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 11 | |
| 10 | Adjust the routing of the power steering hoses. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 11 | |
| 11 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
| CAUTION | When adding fluid or making a complete fluid change, always use the proper power steering fluid. Failure to use the proper fluid will cause hose and seal damage and fluid leaks. |
- Clean the area surrounding the reservoir cap.
- Remove the reservoir cap.
- Inspect the power steering pump fluid level at regular intervals. Use the appropriate procedure below. Add fluid when required. Refer to «Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations (USA and Canada)»(ref-365291-S01330376382010070600000) . Fluid Is Hot Run the engine until the fluid reaches about 80°C (170°F). Turn the engine OFF. Remove the reservoir cap. Inspect the fluid level on the capstick. Ensure that the fluid level is at the HOT/FULL/MAX mark on the capstick.
- If the fluid level is low, add power steering fluid to the proper level.
- Install the reservoir cap.
- When checking the fluid level after servicing the steering system, bleed the air from the system. Refer to «Power Steering System Bleeding»(ref-365269-S06132857992010070600000) .
| IMPORTANT | Do not reuse any drained power steering fluid regardless of appearance or condition. |
- Turn OFF the engine.
- Raise the front end of the vehicle off the ground until the tires and wheels turn freely. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-365243-S07204316382010070600000) .
- Place a large container under the fluid return hose in order to collect the draining fluid.
- Remove the fluid return hose at the power steering pump reservoir inlet connection.
- Plug the reservoir return hose inlet connection on the power steering reservoir.
- With the key on engine off, turn the steering wheel fully to the left and to the right while an assistant maintains the minimum fluid level in the reservoir using new approved power steering fluid. Continue until the fluid from the return hose runs clear.
- Remove the plug from the pump reservoir inlet connection and install the fluid return hose to the pump reservoir.
- Bleed the power steering system. Refer to «Power Steering System Bleeding»(ref-365269-S06132857992010070600000) .
- Inspect the power steering fluid for the following indications of contamination: Milky fluid - water Brown fluid - burnt Plastic debris or dirt chunks
- If the fluid is contaminated, repeat steps 2-9.
- Lower the vehicle and check the Power Steering system for leaks.
