Why did my power steering pump piss itself?

[Dustin Jackson]

I was doing a routine inspection and had the front on jack stands. I turned the wheels full lock using the tire and suddenly fluid started pouring onto the ground.

At first I thought it was coming from the steering rack boot but actually it was coming out of the power steering cap.

What would cause this? My theory is that over time power steering fluid had leaked into the boot and when I compressed it the excess fluid was sent back up and out the top.

Thoughts? I know I’m due for a steering rack but if I need a new pump also let me know please

 

[Geotrash]

I was doing a routine inspection and had the front on jack stands. I turned the wheels full lock using the tire and suddenly fluid started pouring onto the ground.

At first I thought it was coming from the steering rack boot but actually it was coming out of the power steering cap.

What would cause this? My theory is that over time power steering fluid had leaked into the boot and when I compressed it the excess fluid was sent back up and out the top.

Thoughts? I know I’m due for a steering rack but if I need a new pump also let me know please
View attachment 450344

Was it overfull?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Geotrash Last I checked it was low and so I topped it off

 

[j91z28d1]

there's a full hot level and a full cold. I'd guess over fill.

does it still work when running?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@j91z28d1 it was working fine yesterday when I drove it. Haven’t driven it since

 

[Geotrash]

@Geotrash Last I checked it was low and so I topped it off

I asked because I’ve overfilled mine myself. Easy to do and that level will change as soon as you fire it up. It leaked out through the cap just like that when I did it.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Geotrash interesting. It’s been a couple months since I topped it off and the power steering pump wasn’t even running when it happened today but maybe it is possible

 

[petethepug]

Was the cap off the power steering pump when you were pushing on the rim with the tires off the ground?

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@petethepug No I wasn’t even working on the steering I was greasing lower balljoints

 

[petethepug]

Weird. I wonder if you inadvertently burped out a bubble. I’d clean it up, restart the motor and top it off and cycle it lock to lock a few times.

Buy the expensive bottle with lots of conditioners in it. The GM brand made my new OEM rack moan like a banshee until it was flushed out with the good stuff.

 

[j91z28d1]

I pretty sure you just moved the wheel fast enough it over flowed the tank. the pump wasn't pumping and when you move the wheel the return hose moves a lot of fluid. that's how I flush the system, remove the return line and turn the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off. fluid moves pretty fast and that's much slower than if you grabbed the tire and turned it.

check the fluid level for cold, add fluid if needed, fire it up and move the steering wheel back and first full cycle to make sure there's no air in the system. turn the truck off and recheck level.

I'm pretty sure nothing is wrong.

 

[Geotrash]

I pretty sure you just moved the wheel fast enough it over flowed the tank. the pump wasn't pumping and when you move the wheel the return hose moves a lot of fluid. that's how I flush the system, remove the return line and turn the steering wheel back and forth with the engine off. fluid moves pretty fast and that's much slower than if you grabbed the tire and turned it.

check the fluid level for cold, add fluid if needed, fire it up and move the steering wheel back and first full cycle to make sure there's no air in the system. turn the truck off and recheck level.

I'm pretty sure nothing is wrong.

I like this theory, and would agree.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I would also check the cap itself and see if the contact gasket is still in good condition.

 

[exp500]

Check P/S return line. an air leak on suction side by pump will put bubbles everywhere, then leaks when burped.

 

[Tazio]

As a retired mechanic I found that very common when manually turning wheels from side to side with the engine off. It is just displacing the fluid in the rack or steering box into the fluid reservoir. Normal! You may want to replace that torn dust boot over the steering u-joint to avoid water getting in and rusting the u-joint or working its way past the rack & pinion seal, however!

 

[B-train]

As a retired mechanic I found that very common when manually turning wheels from side to side with the engine off. It is just displacing the fluid in the rack or steering box into the fluid reservoir. Normal! You may want to replace that torn dust boot over the steering u-joint to avoid water getting in and rusting the u-joint or working its way past the rack & pinion seal, however!

Good catch my man! I did that on my 2008. It is a PITA, so beware. I lubed the shit out of the joint and moved it all around before putting it back together. I know it's sealed, but with the bit of rust from exposure it made me feel better. A second set of hands will make the clamp ring process easier.......I didn't have that and just cussed my way through it. Parts were pretty cheap.

Also to note, the preferred method to bleed a new rack and pinion is to manually force it left and right a few times by hand. This works all the fluid through and pushes air out without the pump chewing up all the bubbles........learned from experience at the dealership 20 years ago. Did it that way ever since and I've never had a rack/pump whine after the engine fires up.