Steering Fluid in the Wrong Place

[DrumrBoy]

.....On the ground instead of in the car.

Came home in the dark tonight and pulling into the driveway the steering felt rough. Sure enough, big-time leak.

I'll get under it tomorrow but is there any well-known "weak link" with the hydraulic system in 98 GTS's that I oughta know about when I go lookin'?

 

[95Viper]

I've heard of two things. Some have had the hose go bad off the reservoir. Most common is the actual power steering cap coming off altogether. This will be a quick check if it happened to you. If it did, you are lucky you didn't have a fire.

The fix is sold through Archer Racing. Info at www.hipoengineering.com

 

[AviP]

Chrysler just had a recall on a similar issue for all 430,000 PT Cruisers today! Damn, now 2 vehicles to worry about. Guess I'll get the Viper fixed first.

 

[DrumrBoy]

Thanks for the input, I was looking for whatever sense of false security the responses would lend me...before I actually put it ion the air and looked!

Checked the cap and it was OK. Saw nothing unusual on the top side so I put it up and checked every connection and hose underneath. Lots of fluid but no apparent leaks.

Started it up, turned the wheel and looked topside again. The fittings on the bent tubes near the reservoir were loose. Tightened 'em up and everything was OK.

The only reason to post is to let folks know that the fluid drips away from this area quickly and almost completely (the tube is vertical) so you almost can't tell unless the thing's been running RIGHT before you check it.

Just FYI.

 

[ACELLR8]

I had a leak on my 95's power steering pump. Replaced high presure line was not the problem.

Actually found out that it was coming from where the pump mkates to the fluid reservoir. Took the fluid reservoir off and replaced the "O" Ring. The Dodge dealer gave me for free, said it was more of a pain to write it up than just let me have it.

Turned out that was it. Much cheaper than buying a new pump at $350.

 

[PhilC]

Glad to hear it was a simple thing. Always scary when there are fluids leaking from the beast.

Phil