2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power steering line keeps leaking

[SHobbs]

I changed the power steering pump earlier this year as well as the line from the pump to the hydro boost. The fitting that attaches to the back of the pump is leaking. I used the new O ring with the new line, it leaked. I tried thread sealant, it leaked. The thread sealant is made for fuel, hydraulic and other fluids, Permatex Aviation form a gasket. Now I am trying the yellow thread tape to try and stop it from leaking. It leaks enough that you can see it on the rear bumper and tailgate, the front end is wet as well as the under carriage.



The fitting that goes into the pump is a 16MM X 1. 5 O ring fitting. Has anyone converted this fitting to either JIC or AN? Or maybe a fatter O ring? I am thinking a JIC fitting would give me a shoulder so I could put a gasket between it and the pump which may seal better. I have tried just about everything I know of. Any ideas or suggestions?



Thanks,

Scott

 

[JLandry]

Scott,



Was this a new Chrysler pressure hose and o-ring?



I wonder if the hose end is simply defective or the o-ring seat in the pump is damaged?



John L.

 

[SHobbs]

John,

Honestly I did not think about that. I picked up the hose from O'Reillys and they do have a warranty on most parts. Guess I need to call them and see if it applies to the hose. That's one option, thank you for jogging my memory.

 

[JLandry]

Scott,



If you need them, the OEM Dodge part numbers are:



Hose: 5086529AA, $135. 70



O-Ring: 5205254, $2. 30



Prices are from Mopar-Wholesale.com



John L.

 

[HHhuntitall]

SHobbs,



Was the old line hard to get off? I'm sure it was leaking before you took it off. If there was suffecient movement, the oring around the fitting could have moved, and in that case, it's not actually your fitting that's leaking, but the reservoir around it. There are several orings and seals that could be leaking instead or your line... ... . just a thought. I find one or two a year that have this problem, and usually leak from one of the bolts in the back of the housing that hold the reservoir on... ... . if you need more details, let me know. The FSM should have all you need. I've got one loose somewhere... ...

 

[SHobbs]

It is definitely leaking from where the fitting goes into the pump. I thought it may have been the connection between the vacuum pump and power steering pump but, it's not. I started the truck and crawled under to watch everything while my dad ran it up to around 1500 rpm's. Fluid forms in a drop just under the fitting on the back of the pump. Evidently the faster you run the motor the more it leaks.

I will try a new hose tomorrow and see what happens. The pump is new so I hope it's not that, taking it down is a PAIN.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Hmmm, well, if you got all the o-rings right, and you're sure it's the line, then you have your answer. I missed your question about the fittings... ... I've never done it, but I bought/traded for a truck that had been tapped out to pipe thread at some time..... I never paid any attention to it until I pulled it down to flush the ATF out of the unit, and noticed a hydraulic line had been used on it... . they clamped an o-ring fitting to the end on the steering unit, and then PIP was used on the other end... . maybe they had the same problem you do?

 

[SHobbs]

It's one of those things I wish I did not have to mess with in the first place. It's either the fitting on the end of the line or something with the pump where the line connects to it.

 

[HHhuntitall]

You might try a bigger o-ring. I remember somewhere I got some that were cylindrical instead of round. I think they were for injector lines for a Massey 205 tractor with a Perkins 3 cylinder diesel... ... Able Fuel injection in Lewisville gave 'em to me when he rebuilt my pump, IIRC..... they were about the right size, and might wad up enough to cap the leak off if it's coming around the o-ring... ... also, I've done it on fuel fitting on these old 1st gens, you can double o-ring it. Push two on there and clamp it down, see if it helps... ...

 

[Bill Stockard]

Able Fuel injection in Lewisville gave 'em to me when he rebuilt my pump... ...

I haven't thought of those guys in years. Are they still in business?



Bill

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yep. Gary's partner pretty much forced him out about 20 years ago, and then he ran it into the ground, closing the Wichita Falls store and almost bankrupting the one in Lewisville. Gary bought him out and took over about 10 years ago. I met Gary when he was working for Diesel Injection Service in Dallas. When he left there, they went downhill, too. They closed the Lubbock and Dallas stores. Gary and another guy are the only ones that do pumps(his name escapes me at the moment). They may not be the cheapest, but Gary is the best I've ever used. He's pretty conservative, so it's hard to get him to get wild with his work. I've known him long enough he knows I'm not going to hold him responsible if I break it, so he'll work with me some. I took him a pump, P7100, for a guy that had the governor weights ground down, and Gary just shook his head. It wouldn't idle, but it ran good on top end..... well, it pumped a lot of fuel, anyway.

 

[Jim W]

I changed the power steering pump earlier this year as well as the line from the pump to the hydro boost. The fitting that attaches to the back of the pump is leaking. I used the new O ring with the new line, it leaked. I tried thread sealant, it leaked. The thread sealant is made for fuel, hydraulic and other fluids, Permatex Aviation form a gasket. Now I am trying the yellow thread tape to try and stop it from leaking. It leaks enough that you can see it on the rear bumper and tailgate, the front end is wet as well as the under carriage.



The fitting that goes into the pump is a 16MM X 1. 5 O ring fitting. Has anyone converted this fitting to either JIC or AN? Or maybe a fatter O ring? I am thinking a JIC fitting would give me a shoulder so I could put a gasket between it and the pump which may seal better. I have tried just about everything I know of. Any ideas or suggestions?



Thanks,

Scott

Scott,

I do not have a 2nd gen truck but I use to design hydraulic systems for Cat.



With your fitting design where is the "o-ring" attached? Is the "o-ring placed over the fitting and does it slide against a shoulder on the fitting?



If this is the case you might have pinched or nick the "o-ring" when installing.

No amount of tightening will resolve this issue. You will need to replace the "o-ring". When reinstalling lube with like oil and then be careful not to roll or pinch the "o-ring when installing. You will also need to torque the fitting to a set torque to prevent overtightening and deforming the sealing surface.



You will also need an "o-ring" that is compatable with the fluid used in the power steering system on your truck.



A JIC fitting will not work in this application. The port in the power steering pump must have the same threads and flare as a JIC 37 DEG or 45 Double Flare to accept it.



Jim W.

 

[SHobbs]

Vacation out of the way I finally got around to replacing the line. It still leaks and I was extremely careful about inserting the steel line into the pump. It does not leak when the engine is idling, it seems to leak only when engine speed increases while driving. Guess there is something wrong with the p. s reservoir, maybe it's cracked or something is wrong with the threads.

Jim,

Not sure what to call the fitting, here is a picture of the line.

More Information for GATES 352440