Power Steering Leaking from Driver's side

Srini850 · Post by **Srini850** » 22 Dec 2011, 11:27

That makes sense. Knowing how this design works definitely helps the repair. Thanks for the excellent explanation. So I'm going to go ahead and concentrate on getting this hose off. If the O-ring fixes it I will be so happy. I'll keep you guys updated.

Srini850 · Post by **Srini850** » 28 Dec 2011, 16:34

Finally muscled the nut off the power steering return hose. Took a long time since I didn't want to drop the sub frame.

So now my question is the only O-ring in this area of the hose between the end of the hose and the rack (yellow circle)? That's all I see in the diagram that Jeff posted. There is no O ring between the nut and the straight part of the hose that I have to worry about (Black box)? The nut keeps spinning but it doesn't do anything else.

Thanks for all the help.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Dec 2011, 18:20

Flare nuts must be perfectly aligned to even catch the first thread, they always give me a fight.

Move the line around a bit until you can get the nut to catch.

Were you able to slide the nut back to inspect the line itself for a crack or a hole?

...Lee

Srini850 · Post by **Srini850** » 28 Dec 2011, 20:51

Ozark Lee wrote:Flare nuts must be perfectly aligned to even catch the first thread, they always give me a fight.

Move the line around a bit until you can get the nut to catch.

Were you able to slide the nut back to inspect the line itself for a crack or a hole?

...Lee

Thanks. Well I haven't got the hose completely off. I've been just trying to pull it out of the rack (still attached to the pump). The nut was just spinning when I was loosening it but haven't tried pushing it back in to tighten.

When I tried to pull the nut back it just slid back a little. Can't really see any damage but then again my angle is only from the bottom just like the pictures show. Do you think I should just take the entire hose off?

So there is no O ring between the nut and the hose right? Just have to worry about the o ring at the end.

Srini850 · Post by **Srini850** » 30 Dec 2011, 01:52

Sorry for all the questions, but I am now at the stage of tightening the hose back into the rack. I think I have it aligned. Is there a good way to access the nut to tighten it? I've just been inching it a little at a time until the end of the wrench hits some part of the car. Do you have to lower the rear subframe or are there any good tools to access and turn the nut with ease?

I tried to loosen the steering rack bolts to lower the subframe but they are all rusted (sprayed PB blaster) and one of them is starting to strip when I try to loosen it. Kind of afraid to move to the actual subframe bolts.

Srini850 · Post by **Srini850** » 05 Jan 2012, 19:37

So took a break on the car for a while with the holidays and all. Started working on it two days ago. Managed to drop rear subframe and all.

Now I have a huge dilemma. The part on the rack where the return hose flare fitting screws in broke. As in the bottom half fell off so bottom threads are missing so the hose only has the top threads to catch onto. I'll try to post a picture. What do I do? I am totally lost and have to drive back to school Sunday so don't have time to replace the rack.

Can I loop the pump lines together and put a loop hose on the pressure and return holes for the rack (leaving some fluid in) or how bad can the rack get damaged without fluid in it?

Thanks.

Srini850 · Post by **Srini850** » 05 Jan 2012, 20:55

Here is a picture of what I am talking about.

Krikkit · Post by **Krikkit** » 12 Jun 2012, 18:14

I've been reading this series of posts about the power steering leaks, my leak looks to be at the valve end of the small metal lines that come from the valve and go to the rack itself. From under the car it doesn't appear that I can even get a wrench on these fittings, even if I could there's no room to turn the wrench. Things in this area are very rusty, I'm doubtful they'd turn even with room to move a wrench.
Is there some technique for replacing these lines other than pulling the rack out? If the rack has to come out, what's involved in doing that?

Kevin
1997 850 wagon
340,000 km

Krikkit · Post by **Krikkit** » 14 Jun 2012, 19:51

Update on the power steering leak..
I went to visit our local home mechanic who does a lot of Volvo work, he confirmed the leak was in one of the small tubes from the pinion to the rack, rusted through. He advised me that these can be made up just like brake lines but have such small radius bends that it's difficult. The prefab pipes are available from the dealer, pt #s 9140432-7 and 9140433-5, bought a set today from Volvo Halifax for $85. I'm leaving this job to the mechanic, he's done them before and assures me it can be done with the rack insitu. Better him than me.

99volvonewbie · Post by **99volvonewbie** » 16 Mar 2013, 12:55

I have a '99 V70 that has a terrible leak where the vertical (column?) meets the rack. I posted it here. Were you leaking there also or was it good? I know you mentioned it.

I've tried two bottles of Lucas and no luck at all, if anything it has gotten worse. Should I try an ATF stop leak?

At this point I have started pricing new racks online, just trying to find a good brand. Don't mean to hijack your thread, just glad ( not really) that I am not the only person dealing with this right now.

Power Steering Leaking from Driver's side

Re: Power Steering Leaking from Driver's side