Power steering hardline leak

You will use a flare tool more than you think if you are a do it yourselfer.

I bought a set to do brake lines 10 years ago, awhile I haven't used it every day, I have used it a few times a year, and it has pulled me or a buddy out of a jam being cable to grab a junk of line off the rack and flare and bend a new brake line up.

Remember their are standard and metric flares.

 

Yeah, I've been searching, if you decide on making your own, let me know I may ask if you can make 2 keep us updated..

 

Most part stores let you rent for free with a deposit. Done this many times with various tools, one of them being a flaring set.

 

You attempt you take the line off and reposition it yet?? I'm going to attempt this tomorrow and see what happens

 

So I've removed and re-installed the hard line 2 times, one of the times I replaced the o-rings and it still continued to leak. Safe to say it's not the line leaking for me I believe. Goin to replace the rack. Anyone have suggestions on a good rack to replace the stock one with that may be an upgrade??

 

Where exactly is it leaking? The threads of the fittings? Between the fittings and pipes? I ask because if you did not see any damage / nicks in the flares this sould seal up. Did you use some pipe dope on the threads? Not to seal but lube the threads so you can get a better seating w/ less force. I hate to see you spend the big bucks for something that should be easy to fix ......

 

It appears to be leaking between the fitting and hardline. It threaded super easy and I did not use any pipe dope ot anything like that on the threads. I did replace the o-ring and it seems that the leak has slowed very minimally but still leaks. I am not wanting to buy a new rack either, but I am not sure as to what else can be done... I have been contacting a couple places to see if I can find out who manufactures the racks to see if I can get only the hardline new from them with no luck thus far. Any other input would be greatly appreciated to both myself and the OP.

Thanks

 

Take the hardline and fittings and look very carefully around the inside and outside of the tube flares and fittings and bottom of the fittings. What I'd look for is a ding, rust spot, or other defect that prevents complete sealing of the tube to the flange fitting and the flange fitting to the steering rack. Get a bright light and look at the hole in the rack where the flange needs to fit onto and gets compressed to by the fitting. Any defect needs to be cleaned up. Sometimes a minor drip will actually make a worn path to allow the lack to get worse. Any spots that need it clean with some fine sandpaper . Another thought - perhaps the flares at the tube ends have changes the mating angle. You could get a flare tool and see fit the flaring tool angle mates with the tool.

 

Going to do all of that tomorrow, bought some more o-rings as well as some RTV and going to try to seal it with that.. If not, may attempt to make my own line using braided stainless or something along those lines..

Last resort is a new rack with I have found remanufactured for $200 online..

OP how's your truck going coming along?

 

I will probably do this over the holiday weekend since I've been so busy. Once I open the line do I have to bleed it similar to brakes? Don't really know any way of taking the air out besides moving the steering wheel back and forth.

Well, I've actually been really busy with work and working on my own car. Only thing I have been doing is checking the powersteering fluid since my pops and I do drive long distances for work. I'm curious to see how big the o rings are, I never knew there was o rings with flared hardlines. I was also thinking of going the same route with silicone and trying to seal it if it can't be fixed in the mean time until I get the flare tool.

But as of today, still haven't loosen or messed with the line, only checking the fluid regularly which has dropped that much.

 

The RTV is mostly useless except for be a lube for the threads. The Pressure from the pump would blow out the RTV. I did not know that O Rings are used - perhaps changing these would help as well. Not sure on the bleeding - I don't thing so - but I'll check on line and post again... Good luk Guys!

 

So I took the line off today, no wiggle room while removing. O ring seemed ok replaced anyways, see what happens

 

So I took my line off again on Monday, sanded it done with a real light grit sandpaper, replaced all o-rings again, then applied some RTV against the washer/nut to get a better seal. It no longer leaks all the time. Only time is leaks is when I lock the steering to one side, then it leaks minimally. I will be replacing the entire rack next week when I get some free days.. I'll keep everyone posted on the rack replacing.

 

Damn that sounds like it's gonna be a pretty penny. Hope all goes well.

So far no leaks over here.

 

If you decide to replace your rack, I went with rackdoctor and have no complaints. And it's not to bad of a install

 

As of today, we noticed the power steering fluid is all gone and leaking from the same spot :/

 

Yeah man, mines still leaking slowly. Going to replace the rack soon. Just keeping an eye on the fluid level so I don't burn out the pump as well.

 

Did you end up fixing it or replacing the whole rack?

 

X2?