Power Steering Issue
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: 17th largest city in the USA by area
Posts: 7
Power Steering Issue
2005 xB
Think the PS pump is bad but have an odd leak.
So just picked this car up about a week ago replacing the previous wrecked 05 xB. Steering pump is making whirring roar sound especially at lower RPMs and steering is stiff until the RPMs are higher and it gets a little better once the car is warmed up a bit.
I noticed a leak (small drip) coming from the underside of the car and traced it to the return power steering hose.
Just curious if anyone knows why the return hose would leak. Seems like there might be a return flow issue that might be starving the pump for fluid. Is there a filter or something that could be clogged and keeping the flow from returning?
I see no signs of a kinked/bent/damaged hose on either pressure or return.
I appreciate any thoughts of why this would be and any links to good power steering pump replacement threads.
Think the PS pump is bad but have an odd leak.
So just picked this car up about a week ago replacing the previous wrecked 05 xB. Steering pump is making whirring roar sound especially at lower RPMs and steering is stiff until the RPMs are higher and it gets a little better once the car is warmed up a bit.
I noticed a leak (small drip) coming from the underside of the car and traced it to the return power steering hose.
Just curious if anyone knows why the return hose would leak. Seems like there might be a return flow issue that might be starving the pump for fluid. Is there a filter or something that could be clogged and keeping the flow from returning?
I see no signs of a kinked/bent/damaged hose on either pressure or return.
I appreciate any thoughts of why this would be and any links to good power steering pump replacement threads.
Last edited by MR_LUV; 07-02-2018 at 03:06 AM. Reason: Moved to Correct Forum by Administrator
#2
I'd clean up the hose to make sure you've actually got a leak coming from it...looks like a fair build-up of grease and grime on the hose and most of it being on top from your picture.
Typically power steering pumps are going to 'groan' when they're either low on fluid or there's air trapped in the system. When you checked the fluid level how did it look?
Typically power steering pumps are going to 'groan' when they're either low on fluid or there's air trapped in the system. When you checked the fluid level how did it look?
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: 17th largest city in the USA by area
Posts: 7
I'd clean up the hose to make sure you've actually got a leak coming from it...looks like a fair build-up of grease and grime on the hose and most of it being on top from your picture.
Typically power steering pumps are going to 'groan' when they're either low on fluid or there's air trapped in the system. When you checked the fluid level how did it look?
Typically power steering pumps are going to 'groan' when they're either low on fluid or there's air trapped in the system. When you checked the fluid level how did it look?
I actually wiped off the hoses on the bottom which is why the top of them look dirtier. I watched a drip form right where the clamp is on the return line when I started the car and let it run. I put arrows on the pictures where you can see the drip forming.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: 17th largest city in the USA by area
Posts: 7
There definitely was a leak. Drips on the driveway and they would form on the connection under the car when it was running and up on jack stands.
So double checked the level and it turned out to be low. The return hose had some hairline cracks in it where the near the clamped end fittings. I ended up getting a foot of 3/8-inch power steering hose and replacing that section and all seems to be okay so far. Will run it for a few days and keep looking for a leak. The 3/8-inch hose was a real pain to get on as the metal fittings have an enlarged ring near the end so the hose will not slip off when clamped. I pre-stretched it a pit by putting some ATF fluid in the hose and twisting a 3/8-inch ratchet extension down it. So far the $2 hose is working!!!
So double checked the level and it turned out to be low. The return hose had some hairline cracks in it where the near the clamped end fittings. I ended up getting a foot of 3/8-inch power steering hose and replacing that section and all seems to be okay so far. Will run it for a few days and keep looking for a leak. The 3/8-inch hose was a real pain to get on as the metal fittings have an enlarged ring near the end so the hose will not slip off when clamped. I pre-stretched it a pit by putting some ATF fluid in the hose and twisting a 3/8-inch ratchet extension down it. So far the $2 hose is working!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post