Causes of Power Steering Fluid Leaks, Gnewscar – Many people panic when they find out that the Power Steering Oil is Leaking to the point of forgetting how to fix leaking oil Power steering. One sign of a leaky power steering oil can be seen under the car. Usually there are drops of dark red oil under the car. This means, the power steering oil on your car is leaking. Then what is the effect if the car’s power steering oil leaks? what is the cause and what is the solution? let’s discuss it in full.
What Causes of Power Steering Fluid Leaks ?
The causes can vary, but generally power steering oil leaks are caused by the following three things;
1. Loose / loose hose clamps
Power steering hose is usually installed using spring clamps or screw clamps. When this clamp is fragile due to age, the clamp automatically cannot hold the hose to remain attached to the channel. So that the power steering oil can leak.
In addition to fragile clamps, clamp positions that are less fit can also cause leaks. Usually this happens after repairs are made.
So when you find the power steering oil spills on the floor, try checking the clamps first because if the problem is just clamps it only needs to be replaced. The price is quite cheap and how to replace it is also quite easy.
2. Hose cracked / broken
Power steering hoses that are exposed to engine heat or due to age can also be damaged. Damage to this hose is in the form of fragments on the surface of the hose which makes the power steering oil drip.
Usually if the hose breaks, the leak is not too noticeable because the leak is only in the form of small droplets.
So if you find small droplets on the floor, it could be a hose problem. But when the car is used, usually the droplets will get bigger because the power steering oil pressure will rise.
3. The seal on the steering rack is leaking
The latter problem is caused by seals on the steering rack leaking. This seal serves to prevent brake fluid leakage on the power steering axle. If there is a slight crack, the power steering oil will leak.
For this problem, leakage may not be very visible but when a car is used a large amount of leakage can occur. This is because in the steering rack, there is high pressure brake fluid.
To check, turn on the engine and turn right and left steering wheel. If there is a leak when the steering wheel is turned, then it is a sign that the power steering rack seal is leaking.
The solution, is to replace a set of rack power steering. Although there are a number of workshops that are able to replace the seals alone, but this is also risky because one day there will be a leak again at the same point or another point.
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Effect of of Power Steering Fluid Leaks
The power steering system is made to ease the driving load, so thanks to the power steering system the steering turns become lighter. There are two types of power steering systems, hydraulic type and electric type.
Power steering oil is a fluid for hydraulic type power steering systems. So if your car uses EPS (electronic power steering) then if there is an oil spill on the floor it is not from power steering oil because EPS does not use power steering oil.
The function of power steering oil is not just as a lubricant, this oil is more inclined to the function of hydraulic fluid. In other words, power steering oil functions to channel power from the power steering pump to the steering rack.
So what happens if the oil leaks?
When the power steering oil leaks, it usually will not cause any symptoms. But after the oil in the power steering system starts to decrease until it passes the minimum level, then a problem will arise.
Problems that will arise include;
- A buzzing noise arises when you turn the wheel.
- Rough noise (from the pump) when you turn the wheel.
- Steering feels heavier than usual
If these signs appear you need to be vigilant because damage can spread to the pump to the steering rack. If the pump and steering rack have been hit, then you need to prepare a budget to replace parts.
That is because components such as pumps and steering racks are difficult to repair, even if they can be repaired it is still at risk of being damaged again. So the safest way is to replace it with a new one.
Therefore, make it a habit to check the volume of the power steering Fluid every time you drive. To check it quite easily, you only need to look at the power steering oil reservoir located near the engine. Thank’s for read Causes of Power Steering Fluid Leaks, and Its Effect on the Machine
