Having power steering issue and need help for 99 SD. Always has leaked a small amount which was never an issue. About 2 week ago, drove it for less than 3 miles and parked it in the driveway when I returned home. The next morning came out to drive it and found most of the fluid on the driveway:


Replaced the PS hoses with all new ones and all was good, have driven the car almost daily since replacing the hoses. Drove it today and it has happened again. Drove about 8 miles and parked it for about an hour and a half. When I got back to the disco, it had the same puddle as before and the fluid reservoir was empty. Topped of the fluid and drove it home. It's been sitting for 3 hours now with only a few drops of fluid underneath, no big leak as before.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue? Doesn't make since to me that it ran fine for nearly 2 weeks without issue after replacing the PS hoses only to have it happen again. And it's not leaking out after refilling and driving again.

Any Advise?

Thanks,
Disco99

 

Are you able to see where the leak is coming from?
Temporary solution is add in Lucas Transmission Fix - its red and thick and it really can make a difference to reduce and or stop the leak in the power steering.

 

Haven't been able to find where the leak is coming from, but assuming is from the steering box.

How much Lucas should be added? Do you mix to a certain ratio of Lucas to DexIII ATF? Or all Lucas?

Thanks!

 

In my situation I was leaking fluid bigtime. I would top it off before going to work, and would have to add more before leaving work. I added Lucas Transmission Fix and it slowed down the leak, The next morning I topped it off with a little more Lucas and the rest is history. Now I have few drops to the point I have to add a little Lucas every 3 weeks or so.

Again temp solution to get you out of a jam. Depending on your leak this may buy you some time. No ratio, just pour the slow-n-thick red stuff in and drive the truck.
https://lucasoil.com/products/proble...ansmission-fix

 

The Lucas stuff does a great job of sealing a RRC/D1 steering box. Big leaks = find it and fix it IMHO

 

Been driving the truck the last few days with only a few drops leaking out. Picked up a bottle of Lucas trans leak stop. Should I remove enough PS fluid to add the bottle of Lucas or just add over time by topping off the reservoir when there is room?

 

You should probably drain some put before you put it in. Also remove that mesh filter from the reservoir before you add it, if you have one. The Lucas won’t strain through it.

I’m struggling with P/S issues as well. Not leaking on the ground, but the hoses are coated in fluid. I too would like to know how to pin-point diagnose bad hoses, bad pump, or leaky reservoir.

 

I went through the same thing. Just drop the box and reseal it. Make sure the shafts aren’t slopping around first, then replace the input seals or output seals, or both. It’s just gonna dump at the wrong time and place and cause you to also eat a pump. The trans fluid is getting all over your front suspension bushings and killing them also. If you have time get a spare box and reseal it and just swap them out.

 

Ill just share a bit of insight because I had been struggling with this on my rover as well. The best way to diagnose is to first get everything clean so you can see where its leaking from. I used simple green (if youve never heard of it, you truly have been missing out) and a power washer, yes, a power washer. It takes all the grime off of the hoses easily but just be careful where you point it. After that find out where its leaking and see where the problem is. Mine was leaking from where the hoses connect onto the reservoir, the hoses had become old and even with new clamps just werent keeping the fluid in. In this case, I pulled the hoses off and cleaned them well, and put silicone around each of the plastic fittings on the bottom of the reservoir tank, NOT INSIDE THE RUBBER TUBING. then just pushed them on and new clamps, problem solved. if it is leaking from the high pressure hoses or the pressed on fittings, you will have to replace the hose. Good luck!

 

Just wanted to provide an update. Added Lucas and the leak has slowed, only a few drops here and there periodically. Spent some time looking for the origin of leak and looks like it is from the front of the steering box. Planning to find a used box that I can rebuild and swap out with the leaking one. Then rebuild that one and have as a spare for when needed.

Thanks for all the input!