power steering

[92astro]

i need to eliminate something, okay on my 1992 TBI chevy astro the power steering box is always getting wet with power steering fluid and i am always having to add power steering fluid. so is my steering box leaking or what??? when i was under there the box was wet i think it could be coming from top of the steering box. if it needs to be replaced how hard is it to replaces?

[Smiliesafari]

The first thing is clean the whole area. Then watch for a leak. The most common leak is the pressure hose. That's the big one with the crimped ends.

[SoCalli V8]

Clean the whole area with 'Brake Cleaner' because it dries very quickly..... As Smilesafari said, the high pressure hose at the 'crimped joint' is the first place to look.

But get everything cleaned off and dry to begin with.

Let us know what you find......?

[92astro]

okay i will clean the area!! i thinking about the hose too since it is coming from the top of the box.

[92astro]

ok i have a power steering leak it is where the steering shaft goes into the top of the steering gear or box where it goes in is where it is leak like a seal?? how to fix it??

[SafariRob]

Bryan, sounds to me like your van's steering box needs to be rebuilt. I've been researching steering boxes lately (I just installed a cop car steering box in my 82 Olds Delta 88 today in the hopes of quickening the steering) and most sources on the net suggest a rebuild by a professional. I agree with that.
But in your case, I think I'd go to a junkyard and get a box off a junked Astro. If you go this route, I'd suggest you take along a ball joint pickle fork and a BFH along with your tools. You'll need the fork to pop the pitman arm ball joint apart. I definitely get the box along with the pitman arm.
I haven't removed the steering box from an Astro yet, but getting one off (and back on again) on my Olds was not too bad a job.
Do buy new power steering lines, though. I can practically guarantee that the original lines will break due to rust when you try to remove them.

Here's what my Olds project cost:
Junkyard steering box--- $45
Pressure line hose assembly---$21
Return line universal metal line with fitting---$6
Return line 3/8ths rubber hose, 2 feet with two worm drive hose clamps---$5
...and a whole lotta floppin' around in the gravel of the driveway.

[Water Boy]

My steering box leaks as well ... but ... only when I take off the reservoir tank cap to check the level.
It will leak about a 9" wet spot and then stop.
I quit checking the fluid level.

Just my experience on my '90.

[92astro]

okay i still have a power steering leak i know where it is coming from which is the top seal on the power steering box it is the seal where the steering shalf goes in my question is how do i disconnect the steering shalf and how do i get the top seal out?? please help the leak got sooo bad that regular power steering fluid would leak out in 2 days so i am using lucas power steering leak stop it did not stop the leak but slowed it down to where it takes two weeks for it to leak out!! and does the power steering pump have a pressure releif valve?

[92astro]

bump PLEASE HELP!!

[kings-x59]

Bryan, no the power steering pump does not have a pressure relief valve. I think SafariRob's post is the answer. you either need to get it rebuilt or head to the junkyard. and as a side note, power steering fluid is similar to brake fluid, it is caustic and does not play well with auto paint.

[Smiliesafari]

Hey Kings, I don't mean to start another firestorm but the P/S pump does have a pressure relief valve. It's actually called a poppet valve. When you have the steering locked all the way in either direction and hear that screeching noise, that's the poppet valve releasing the pressure. On the subject of the steering box leaking, it's easier to replace the seals than going to a salvage yard and getting another box. You might end up with the same problem. The seal kits come with a break down of the box so it makes it just that much easier. Give it a shot. You'll learn something new and have a lot of satisfaction for your accomplishment. I agree on replacing the hoses. It's part of the job.

[6spd_monte]

...and as a side note, power steering fluid is similar to brake fluid, it is caustic and does not play well with auto paint.

I didn't know that! I thought brake fluid was the only fluid in a vehicle that stripped paint. I guess I've been lucky so far, I'll be more careful with p/s repairs in the future!

Learn something new every day, right?

[kings-x59]

Hey Kings, I don't mean to start another firestorm but the P/S pump does have a pressure relief valve. It's actually called a poppet valve. .

No problem, If I post something incorrect, please do correct me.
Lord knows I've certainly done things the hard way before.

[92astro]

UPDATE: I got the power steering leak fix it cost me $184 and i got a 1year /12,000 mile warr. with it and know it does not leak and the noise it was making before that sounded like a pressure releif valve going off has stopped too!! i am really happy

[nitropyro]

congrats!
Danny