[ale] [OT] Leaky Power Steering

[Asher Vilensky]

Just like a software/hardware issue, I would start from the simplest:

- Clean the ENTIRE engine compartment (everything under the hood) really
well.  Cover electronic components; spray grease solvent; clean with water
while engine is cold.

- Fill the power steering reservoir to the top.  Do **NOT** start the
engine.  Let it stand for a night.  Is it leaking while the engine is off?
If so, now that everything is clean, try to locate where.  It's either one
of the hoses or the pump, or the struts (or whatever they are called...
sorry for the bad English).

- If no leak was found while engine is off, turn it on.  Do you see a leak
now?  If not, have somebody turn the steering wheel while you look around
for the leak.

Identifying where the leak is coming from is the first step any shop will
take too.  This is an easy do-it-yourself part.  When you find the leak you
can decide whether you want to fix it yourself or take it somewhere.

Good luck.

-- Asher ("still out of job and looking") Vilensky
  ashervilensky at gmail.com
  Home: 404-377-8434
  Cell: 404 452 8642


On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 3:09 PM, Sean <drifter at oppositelock.org> wrote:

> Depends on where the fluid is leaking from.  At 180k miles it
> would not be unexpected for the power steering pump to fail.
> Any Hundai/Kia dealer should have the replacement part and it's
> not that big a deal to replace it -- usually (depends on the individual
> vehicle) :)
> But then again you may only have a failed hose/clamp.  If the power
> steering hoses have not been replaced by now they are way past due.
> If the pump is shot, I'd recommend against trying to rebuild it. Get a
> new one.  If this part fails suddenly, the results can be Really Bad (tm).
> And in the interim, get a Large can of power steering fluid and keep
> the system filled.  You probably will not be able to handle the car
> if the system runs completely dry -- unless you have forearms like Popeye.
>
> Sean
>
>
>
> On Thursday 04 June 2009 02:54:07 pm Marc Ferguson wrote:
> > Hey Fellas,
> >
> > Let me know if this is NOT the place to post this "off topic" item. I'm
> > kind of not even remotely qualified to work on my car. I know how to
> > change my oil and I did change the radiator once (with the guidance of a
> > friend), but other than that, I'm no good with maintaining my car.
> >
> > My wife and I discovered that our power steering is leaking. It's gotten
> > to the point where there's a steady stream leaking out. So; it'll be
> > bone dry before we get to our destination. Is there a good web site to
> > research more information or something to point me into the right
> > direction?
> >
> > I've got a 2002 Hyundai Elantra GLS with 180K+ miles.  Thanks.
>
>
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