'99 S70, base, FWD, auto - Power Steering Fluid Leak

Post by **E Showell** » 27 Jul 2016, 08:56

I'm losing power steering fluid at the rate of about a reservoir full in 50 miles. I noticed a puddle behind the driver side front wheel. Haven't had a chance to put it on ramps yet (leak developed yesterday). Usual suspects are. . . ?

Post by **tryingbe** » 27 Jul 2016, 09:32

Hose leaking or rack.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jul 2016, 10:15

+1 on the sources based on position. Could be one of the 2 pipes has split, or rack seal has failed at either the LH boot/seal or possibly the top seal to the steering column.

I have 2 x SMI seal kits if you have a SMI rack and want to tackle a seal repair in situ. Let me know and it is yours FOC.

Neil.

Post by **E Showell** » 27 Jul 2016, 18:54

Looking from above without a flashlight in an enclosed parking garage, it appears that the leak is on or near the top of the center of the rack, probably where the high pressure hose from the back of the power steering pump joins the rack.

Could this simply be a case of replacing a seal?

If so, how big a job is it and will I need any parts more than an o ring, or seal of some sort and a hose clamp, or does the hose itself deterioriate?

Neil, I don't know what type of rack I have, but I do appreciate your kind offer. Good karma points for you my friend.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jul 2016, 22:52

Eric, to find what kind of rack you have you can get this (assuming it hasn't been changed before) from the Vin# plate info. I have a TRW on the 97 850 NA (even the boots on the rack say TRW), and the 'R' has a SMI.

Good luck, but sounds like you need to get the front off the ground to have a good look.

Neil.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Jul 2016, 22:53

Dumb ass, of course it is Evan not Eric, spent too much time in the garage sniffing WD40 today me thinks...!

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 28 Jul 2016, 04:14

Evan...sounds like the seal on the high pressure hose, good news is it's not at the ends of the rack. There is a lot of pressure there so evetything has to be really clean to hold pressure when you wrench on it.

Post by **E Showell** » 28 Jul 2016, 04:46

Thanks guys, I'm about to pop this up on jack stands and take a look, pick up some parts and have a go at it. Seal replacement should be a relatively low drama procedure, no?

Post by **E Showell** » 28 Jul 2016, 05:34

So I got up underneath and determined that: 1) it appears to be a TRW rack if what is molded into the rack boots is any indicator and 2) it is leaking from both ends and not from the central seal unless the fluid is just migrating along the rack to the ends. It is common for the seals on both ends of the rack to fail at the same time?

How much of a bear is rack replacement as a DIY job?

PS78 · Post by **PS78** » 28 Jul 2016, 08:31

Somewhere between a polar bear and grizzly. Plan a weekend, gather your equipment and bring a friend.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... p?id=12832

If the seals are doable with the rack in place, I'd take a shot at them first maybe.