POWER STEERING SUCTION PORT - Bent? (1 Viewer)

[robertaleon]

Recently rebuilt the power steering pump and put it back together and found the infamous drop accumulating on the suction port bolt, about 3 drops a day. Dissatisified with this result I picked up a new o-ring to replace the one that I replaced during the rebuild. I found that the o-ring was dinged up pretty good but confused since I was careful and installed the suction port on the bench. Anywho - I replace the o-ring and install a new hose just in case and examine the actual suction port and it appears it is bent. Can you guys confirm? When I reinstall the unit it doesn't lay flush, when the bolt tightens the rear end of the union pops out and doesn't lay flush with the pump. I didn't notice it before on the bench but believe this to be the source of the leak but pissed that the part is $82!

 

[blkprj80]

Bend it straight with a Crescent wrench. Maybe even overshoot the bend a little.

 

[robertaleon]

Took the advice of blkprj80 and bent it back. Looks good so far and fits better but I hate ATF! I would love to know how to service the P/S without getting fluid all over the damn place, the kitty litter line item is blowing my budget on this $45 P/S rebuild.

I'll wash the undercarriage at lunch and see if it's still dry tonight.

 

[blkprj80]

You could always switch over to hydraulic fluid, but have fun reading up on all that. I spent waaay too much time trying to come up with an alternate to Dex3. I ended up with Dex3 anyway.

Get one of those big big cookie sheets from your local auto parts store. Then sop up the mess with paper towels and pitch them in the trash.

 

[Kaveeks]

Bend it straight with a Crescent wrench. Maybe even overshoot the bend a little.

x2
Mine was bent too causing air to get in making the pump whine. Bent it back and all was good.

 

[robertaleon]

Damn thing is still leaking. New pump that comes with the suction port or just get a new suction port.......

 

[robertaleon]

You could always switch over to hydraulic fluid, but have fun reading up on all that. I spent waaay too much time trying to come up with an alternate to Dex3. I ended up with Dex3 anyway.

Get one of those big big cookie sheets from your local auto parts store. Then sop up the mess with paper towels and pitch them in the trash.

Sadly it's when you get the ATF on the frame rail and you have ATF dripping for days.....

 

[blkprj80]

If it's still leaking, check the bore where the o-ring goes into for any scratches or stuff. Check your o-ring groove in the tube. Replace the o-ring.

Did you use the o-ring from the rebuild kit? Certain o-ring materials hate ATF. Almost as much as you do, I'd guess...

I'm still cleaning up ATF (and that old OEM PS fluid s***) from my engine bay. It'll probably ooze for years, but hey, no rust!


EDIT: Can you squeeze that big feeder hose easily? Mine was hard as a <too many options here, heh> and the one I replaced it with was much more flexible. Your leak may not be that o-ring...

 

[robertaleon]

I used o-ring from kit and had a leak. Replaced with another oem o-ring and now my leak is worse than ever. I replaced the big hose with new and new clamps, both ends are dry. The little overflow hose is fairly new and dry too. It is coming from that port.

 

[robertaleon]

So I cleaned everything up and warmed the truck up to track the source. The leak did not occur during operation only after the truck was shutoff. As soon as the truck was off it would start peculating from behind the flange. Interested to see if may I just didn't tighten it enough (since there is no torque value in the FSM I only snugged it up originally) I put a 12mm on there and started to tighten it down a bit more and found it to be extremely loose Low and behold a quarter turn later it snapped off. Over tightened - perhaps, fatigue - perhaps. Either way - new power steering pump here I come.

 

[Kernal]

I don't recall and can't find my old photos, but is the suction port bracket supposed to have an angle to it? Or to ask it the other way, how would that bracket get bent if it's supposed to be straight?

 

[robertaleon]

$290, 1.5 hours, and 450ml of ATF later the leak is gone. Made the wife do the 54 ft/lbs torque on the gear bolt, guess she forgot about the 304 ft/lbs torque she helped with on the crankshaft bolt !

 

[blkprj80]

How did the bore for the o ring look in the old pump?
I wonder if it was gouged when it got bent. Has the engine ever been out? Or motor mounts replaced?

 

[robertaleon]

I doubt the engine has ever been removed; just two HG jobs. I think stress/fatigue on that port caused an issue with how the bore and port lined up. Maybe it happened on the bench when I was rebuilding it. I'll have some better eyes take a look at it and post some picks. I may keep the pump as a spare just in case. Cheaper than trailside rates but I don't know how'd get that gear off or that flippin' banjo bolt off on the trail.