2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Loss of P/S fluid

[SS]

Left my truck sitting in a parking lot overnight and when I started it today it had no steering or brake assist. Small puddle of fluid on the ground - looks like it leaked out around the top of the pump? Didn't notice any strange behaviors before I parked it yesterday. Left it sitting again, I will look at it in more detail tomorrow, but has anybody had a similar experience? I do not have my manuals yet - does it just take standard P/S fluid? (Maybe it's just mad I left it in a parking lot overnight. )



Thanks

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

DTW, maybe a return line slipped off and let the fluid run out? I doubt you would suddenly lose enough fluid for your system to quit working, it would whine and howl and give you ample warning.



There are 2 high pressure and 2 return lines going to/from the pump/reservoir. The high pressure ones are thicker and have the screw on fittings. One set for the steering and one set for the brakes. IMO this hydraulic system a poor design safety wise, I would almost rather give up a bit of braking performance for more of a failsafe design (vacuum assist like the pre '97 trucks).



Vaughn

 

[Briar Hopper]

I had a big fluid loss through the side plate of the steering gear, several months ago. I discovered the two bolts at the front of the plate were loose enough I could turn them with my fingers. unfortunately, I didn't catch the leak in time, and my gear is now on it's way out... .

The Dodge manual calls it a "side plate" but it's actually on top of the gear box. Check your steering gear. If still unable to pinpoint the leak source, you can buy UV dye at NAPA or from the Eastwood Company online, pour it in there, and use an UV light to find the leak.

Yes, it takes regular power steering fluid, NOT auto trans. fluid !

 

[TomGolden]

Originally posted by Briar Hopper

I had a big fluid loss through the side plate of the steering gear, several months ago. I discovered the two bolts at the front of the plate were loose enough I could turn them with my fingers. The Dodge manual calls it a "side plate" but it's actually on top of the gear box. Yes, it takes regular power steering fluid, NOT auto trans. fluid !

What Briar Hopper said. I had same problem in my truck about 4 months ago, found the plate on top of the steering gear box was finger loose. I tightened all 4 bolts, has not leaked a drop since.



Tom

 

[nibranam]

Had the same problem

Yes, this happened to me once. Started truck and fluid came out of top of pump. Put more fluid in it and have not had another problem since. Loose cap maybe but who knows.

 

[Neal Cassady]

Update

Looks like my steering box has started leaking at the cover plate.



Anyone have the torque spec handy for the four bolts that hold the cover plate to the box?



Update:



Found two of the four to be loose. The two closest to the drivers side tire required approx. 3/4 turn to be tight. The other two were "tight". Used a 9/16 short 6 pt wrench to tighten them up until they felt tight.



Looks like something to add to the things to check list.





Thanks,

Neal

 

[Xgunfighter]

I had the same thing happen to me last month. No steering or brakes. After I forced the steering a couple of time it pumped up all of a sudden. Took it to stealer and he said no leak could be found. I guess it was normal to have fluid all over the fluid tank.



It has not happened since. I noted that the wheels were turned all the way to the right over night when it happened.



I now carry fluid in the truck box. . Thought it might be a glitch in the steering gear so that it leaks when the glitch is exactly lined up with the seal.

 

[RichB59]

Iv'e had it

twice. The first time no brakes no PS teering. The second time just fluid on the ground. Definetly coming out the cap of the PS pump. Took it to dealer they changed the PS pump first time. Second time could not duplicate the prob. DUH it only happened twice in 34k what the he !did they think???? I reported this to DOT as a safety problem everyone who has had this happen should contact the DOT safety people it's the only way to get some attention. I also called DC they gave me a case # and never heard from them or the dealer again. JMHO change the fluid to a good Synthetic PS fluid. I think this is just foaming fluid expands and out it come thru the fill cap. LOL



RichB59:--)

 

[Chipstien]

Checked the PS fluid the other day and it was very low. Ended up emptying the reservoirs and filling it with Synthetic and what a difference it made. I know this is going to sound wacky but I swear it helped my wondering problem even though I don't think this is physically possible. Must just be me.

 

[THerman]

For everyone following this I would like to agree with BriarHopper

on this as well.



Mine didn't leak at first at parking spaces... but would lose fluid as I drove. Wasn't until I was looking under the hood while a someone else was turning the steering wheel with the engine running that I found the loose plate. It would move back and forth as you steered. Bolts were finger loose. The fan blew the leaking fluid off of the gearbox and onto the engine... .



That was why the source wasn't noticable at first... . I also had seen signs that had led me at first to think that it was blowing out the cap at the pump... . It may have been as well... . by adding air into the reservoir and foaming the fluid out the cap.



Just a thought for anyone trying to track down why you are blowing fluid out of the cap.



Tod