The power steering pump on my car was rebuilt along with the gearbox years ago. Everything was completely fine from the rebuild up until I pulled the pump out last year to overhaul and detail the motor. I have a fairly significant leak at the pump since reinstalling it and I've yet to figure out the source. I checked all of the lines and fittings and they are good. It's dripping along the forward edge of the pump which tells me it's coming from somewhere above that point but it's hard to pinpoint it.

I'm hoping I'm overlooking something here that somebody can point out. Does anybody have any good methods for tracking down a leak like this? Is it possible that the body of the pump itself is leaking?

This is on one of my '76 98's by the way.

 

I suggest cleaning the pump thoroughly. Once the pump is clean start the car and use a flashlight and inspection mirror to extensively search for the leak. The power steering pump isn't too hard to see on our cars, you might have to use an inspection mirror to see the bottom of it though.

Hopefully this allows you to id the leak. If not, you can go to your local auto parts store and get dye penetrant to add to the power steering fluid. I believe Zyglo is a popular brand. The dye penetrant will make it easier to id the leak. You'll just have to make sure you clean up all the extra power steering fluid once you fix the leak.

 

The most common leak point is the front seal.

 

Good idea, thanks!

Thanks Joe. I was thinking along those lines too. Without having my service manual handy, is this something that I can do myself or am I sending the pump back out again?

 

A quick check of the Autozone website shows a power steering pump seal kit for your car for $12.99. It also shows a power steering pump for $49 plus a $7 core charge. It's a rebuilt unit, but that's par for the course on components like this for cars this old, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

If it were me, if I had never done a seal replacement and was nervous about doing so, and if my pump had already been rebuilt once and was leaking again, I'd probably just go get the new pump, put that in, and be done with it.

 

Rebuilding the PS pump is easy, and if the leak really is from the front seal, you can replace the seal without disassembling the pump. Of course, if the seal has worn a groove in the pump shaft, you have a problem and no amount of seal replacement will fix it.

 

"Everything was completely fine from the rebuild up until I pulled the pump out last year to overhaul and detail the motor. "
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I'd look at the pressure fitting where the HP hose attaches. Much like a carb line and fitting, it's possible to accidentally loosen the large part when removing the line, leading to a leak at the large part to pump housing/ reservoir. Super easy fix. Sometimes as easy as tightening it properly. Maybe remove the large fitting/ valve and fit a new seal.

The Chassis service manual is available free at wildaboutcars.com, you know.

 

Good to know a reuild kit is available and that a lifetime warranty is available on a pretty cheap rebuild. Thanks!

I'll look at the service manual and see what's involved in replacing the seals. If the pump doesn't have to come apart, this could be a good option.

Good call. I thought about this after I thought I fixed it by cleaning up and tightening down that line but was already hoping the problem was solved. The next morning I realized it wasn't. If that's it, I would be very happy and this would be done with next to no work at all. Keeping my fingers crossed it's something simple like this.

I guess in the worst case, I pull the pump and either replace the seals or the whole pump. It wouldn't be the end of the world since I want to pull the LH manifold off anyway to repaint it since I don't like the way it came out last time.

 

OK guys so I'm finally about ready to get on this pump issue from the fall. I called my local stores and they both have a rebuilt pump with reservior from BBB for $46 at one store and $63 at the other (amazing price differences considering they're less than a mile apart, right?)

I haven't heard of BBB before. Have you guys? Any thoughts or other rebuilder names I should look for instead?

Thanks!

 

If you blow baking soda, corn starch, or baby powder onto the pump, it will give you a detailed map on where the leak originated from.

 

That's a great tip, thanks! I'm pretty certain I'm going to replace the pump. I think I may have damaged it when I was tightening the belts

 

I've never seen one damaged by tightening belts, unless you pried against the tank. Normally they leak at the seal as was mentioned earlier, hoses or ends, or at the cap on top.

 

That's exactly what I did....foolish, I know.

So, after forgiving my idiotic move, let's get back to my question of rebuild brands

Thanks!

 

Any brand would probably work fine, there may be a core charge for your old one, so mail order is not a good idea. I would just go to a NAPA store.

 

OK. Of the 2 local stores I deal with, Napa had the lower price, which I was happy with.

Thanks!

 

So I picked up a rebuilt power steering pump from NAPA and of course didn't scrutinize it at the store (like a fool). After finally looking it over at home, I noticed that the reservoir is actually a little beat up. I'm wondering if it's worth giving the store a hard time about it since this is going in my show car or just ordering a new reservoir and adding it to the rebuilt pump. Any thoughts?

 

I'd bring it back and explain to them your intention. I bet they will get another for you. They may even be able to call the warehouse and tell them to find a pretty one for you.

 

Probably a good idea. Maybe if I drive the car over there and show them just how detailed the engine is, that will drive my point home. Thanks!

 

They might enjoy that.

 

They may want to drive your car home!

- Eric

 

Ha, nice Eric. I called first thing this morning and he's going to check to see if he can get another pump w/reservoir or possibly just another reservoir that I can swap. I'm also returning the drums I ordered that are incorrect.

Worst case, I may just take a used reservoir of mine and add it to the rebuilt pump with new seals and paint. I'll keep you posted.

 

I ran into a similar thing on my car recently. New pump and seals with my old reservoir. Put it on the car and a small drip drip drip. Drove me freakin crazy. With it on the car I could not tell if it was a fitting or the large seal for the reservoir. Took the whole mess off the car where I could see it well. Filled it with PS fluid and watched it overnight. I would advise you to do the same before you reinstall yours. It will leak the same on a bench as on the car and you can see where it comes from.

 

That's actually a really good idea and I have the fitting caps for it so that should tell me if it's tight before putting it all back together. Good call buddy!