Power Steering Leaks from down under.

[nodrogkam]

My 98 camry developed a power steering leak which seems to be coming from near the driverside wheel area (can see a mess on the subframe and some drips). I haven't a solid idea of what's really going on yet, I'm going to whip out the scissor jack this morning and just take a look at what's really going on.

I'll post up pictures in a bit, but i wanted to see if any other member has experienced or are currently experiencing this problem. I realize it'll be hard to diagnose without photos but it's not leaking at an alarming rate considering i think it started leaking about 1000 miles/ 1mo. ago and it only now recently got to a low level in the reservior near the upper return hose.

Feel free to chime in if you've got some idea of what maybe going on.

[rebel8ball]

i have had one since i got the car, its on the left side and is never constant, sometimes it goes months without leaking and then it will leak pretty bad for a few eeks then nothing for a while or really slow. tends to mess up the driveway but otherwise no biggie, i need to get it fixed but liek you i cant tell exactly where its coming from.

[nodrogkam]

Hmmm well i havent had any puddling or really any drips that make it to the floor while the car is standing still, but while driving im sure im dripping.

---------------------------------------------



So i went under and took a look around. it seems like it's leaking around the bushing of the steering rack...lol at this point im just kind of saying what i think is happening.

I couldn't get far enough under the car to really see where the origin is, but i have a fairly good idea that it must be leaking from where the rubber bushing meets the actual steering rack. I have some photos below.

And you're right i could probably go on for a while without any issues since it's not severe...i lost about 1/6 of a quart of fluid over the course of 1k mi/1mo.

Outside looking in:


Under the car:

[nodrogkam]

Closeup of the bushing...rubber accordian cover...?

[Black95Cam]

thats how it is on mine too but more greasy since my outer boot had ripped before. but i put on extra hose claps on the pressure hose going to the PS pump and that help a little. i have a feeling that on mine its leaking from the PS pump seal but before i dive into replacing the seal(s), pump, belts, i decided to run some Lucas PS stop leak oil so see if that helps.

did you check if your leaking from the reservoir? (where the return/pressure hose connect)

[dc_98_cam]

I had my 98 inspected by a dealer about 6 months ago .... the report said that there was a power steering fluid leak, but was not too specific about the location.
I think that it is a small amount .... not seeing any obvious driveway oil or anything that I can directly connect with on the chassis. A recent highway trip of about 800 miles indicated a change of 3 or 4 ounces in the power steering reservoir bottle.
I purchased a bottle of Slick50 Transmission Tune-Up and Sealer .... w/Teflon, and replenished the P/S bottle in the engine compartment. After I added the Slick50, I found an empty parking lot and completed a few circles and turns ... to distribute the additive. Since the Camry is designed for ATF fluid in the power steering, I guess it would be preferable to use ATF additives rather than the power steering type.
I will have to take another trip to find out if the leak has been diminished or eliminated.

[nodrogkam]

yeah i took a look at the reservior...seems to be all clear on everything on the passenger side.
you really shouldnt mix ps with atf....thats bad for the system and may damage your seals in the long run. *i am not a specialist*

i was going to put ATF stop leak but i didnt want that to clog up the system since stop leak items are only temp fixes and typically are just to hold stuff down until you can afford to replace the whole deal.

right now i think a new bushing/clamp would fix my issue.

I'm taking it into the shop soon.

[dc_98_cam]

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

i was going to put ATF stop leak but i didnt want that to clog up the system since stop leak items are only temp fixes and typically are just to hold stuff down until you can afford to replace the whole deal.

right now i think a new bushing/clamp would fix my issue.

I'm taking it into the shop soon.

The active ingredient in the Slick50 product is described as a 'swelling agent', which didn't sound like it could cause much trouble.

You're right about getting the seals or whatever fixed if possible ... I'm just hoping to stave off a big project.

[Kep]

From your pictures I didn't see any tears in the boot or missing clamps. I did notice on your forth picture and the last picture that the boot looked like it had fluid on the top of it. Almost like something was dripping on it and then accumulating on the bottom. Are there any hoses over the bellows that might be leaking?

Kep

[nodrogkam]

so the mechanic says that the seal from within the steering rack probably broke down after all these years and what not and i just have a minor leak. I can continue driving on it so long as i keep checking on it as well as the fluids.

the cost to replace it will be expensive, not to mention the labor costs. SO i'm going to wait to get the official quote and probably just drive on it till things get worse.

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by nodrogkam

so the mechanic says that the seal from within the steering rack probably broke down after all these years and what not and i just have a minor leak. I can continue driving on it so long as i keep checking on it as well as the fluids.

the cost to replace it will be expensive, not to mention the labor costs. SO i'm going to wait to get the official quote and probably just drive on it till things get worse.

same here. being a college student sucks. but after putting some lucas PS stop leak, hopefully that will stop the leak and hold it long enough till i can rack up enough dough to get it done.

[nodrogkam]

yeah i know. my parents will pay for these types of things because it has to do with safety.
it'll be about a $750 job total with the quote i got from my college car club sponsor shop. Maybe a little less but overall its pricy.

[Black95Cam]

damn. thats a grip load. your college have a car club? nice. my college used to be sponsor by toyota but something went down hill and now a few of the instructors is trying to get anther program going.