2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power Steering O'rings

[jdross440]

I replaced the power steering pump on my 2000. After a couple days it started leaking fluid where the pressure hose attaches to the pump. I had replaced the o'ring with one in the pump kit (from Advance Auto). I had a couple more from a previous pump change where I had reused the original o'ring. I replaced the o'ring with one from the other kit. It still spewed fluid around the line (between line and nut) when you would turn the wheel or apply the brakes. I suspected something wrong with the pump where the o'ring sits and took that pump out and took it back for warranty replacement. I put the exchange pump in with the o'ring that came with it. Same thing. I thought maybe a bad high pressure hose as it had been out and in several times over the years. I bought another hose from Advance Auto, put it in with the new o'ring that came with it. Same issue. I took it and the pump out and dropped the o'ring into the pump where it sits. It appeared too thin and was allowing the flange on the hose to tighten against the pump before compressing the oring enough. I took the o'ring to O'reillys and they pulled a pump from their stock and the oring in their kit was the same as the Advance one (both pumps were Cardone Mexico rebuilds). He dropped the o'ring into their pump and saw what I was seeing. He pulled a new hose from their stock. We compared o'rings. The o'rings on their hose was slightly larger diameter and thicker and was green. He looked to see if they had the o'ring by itself but was out of that one. Therefore I bought his hose and put it on. No more leaks. Apparently the pump kits are using non spec o'rings. I am surprised a lot of people aren't having this problem (they may not be replacing the o'ring).

 

[B.G. Smith]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. bg

 

[GrantP]

Don't get me started on Cardone rebuilds, I've thrown many of their power steering pumps in the trash over the years. I won't buy anything Cardone anymore, they are cheap for a reason.

 

[jdross440]

Oreilly has rebranded all their parts as master pro so don't know who is doing theirs now. No one around here has new pumps including dealers. Dealer said if they can get one $902+tax.
Note: when I changed pump last time before this problem it turned out it wasn't pump problem why I lost steering and brakes. It was the coupling on the vacuum pump slipping on it's shaft as the steering pump was building pressure.

 

[GrantP]

I certainly wouldn't go OEM for that price either. I was swapping out Cardone pumps in my wife's Jeep annually for too many years so I've been down that path too. Finally spent a little more for an AC Delco branded rebuild and haven't had an issue since. The Cardone window regulators are another rant, been through 5 of them.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Seen this all too many times.... Had the same issue, as one of my techs replaced a pump, and had the problem... We pulled it back apart, used an oring I had from inventory, and fixed the problem.... Orielly's has lost a lot of business over this lowest bidder crap. I've got 4 lost work time filed against them as of right now.... They sure take their time paying.

 

[jdross440]

What I have found is all the parts places (Oreilly, Autozone, Advance, NAPA) are using the same company for rebuilds only some are re-branding under their own name. A local shop I talked to said to use the green air conditioning orings as they are thicker and the material is resistant to all the different fluids used in power steering systems.