Power Steering Box

Keleco · 08-14-2006, 06:23 AM

Anyone know how hard it is to change a Power Steering box? Mine is leaking (more like pouring) PS fluid like crazy. A friend who is some what mechanically inclined said he would try to replace it, may be it just needs a new seal - what ever. Bottom line is, how difficult is it, what is the possibility of it just being a seal, any other thoughts? Right now I have limited funds and a new PS box is 150 at a junk yard and about 250 refurbished. If I can replace it myself I would be a much happier camper. I'm sick of dumping PS fluid into the thing on a twice daily basis. The truck is a 2000 Ram 1500, quad cab 4X4 and this is only the latest problem I have had with this truck. (transmission blew, throttle cable went, AC compressor siezed, radio speakers down to 1 working, and sometimes it just doesn't want to start).

bradrhale · 08-14-2006, 07:34 AM

it sounds to me that you need to get the ps pump working and get rid of that lemon. can not tell if it is just a seal, you have to look to see where it is coming from. make sure you know where it is coming from, you might put in a new pump and that not be your problem. high pressure sides usually go before anything else will since it gets so much more punishment.

desert ram · 08-14-2006, 08:39 PM

here's A Trick That Worked For Me When My Power Steering Gear Box Was Leaking, (about 2 Teaspoons A Day) The Rubber Seal Around The Shaft Was Leaking. This May Sound Strange But I Did It Last Year And It Has'nt Leaked Since Then. Add 2 Tablespoons Of Brake Fuild, Yes I Said "brake Fluid" And Drive With That It May Take A While (maybe A Month) But It Will Stop. Brake Fluid Swells Up Rubber. "it Works". Just Keep Adding Power Steering Fluid Until It Stops. only If It's A Leak....

72'CaminoKid · 08-14-2006, 09:35 PM

hmmm....idk if thats a good idea, the brake fluid will go through ur system and may ruin other seals it comes in contact with

Larry O'Daniel · 08-15-2006, 10:22 AM

Brake fluid WILL stop the leak IF it is a rubber seal leaking, but if it is leaking because the shaft bushing is worn and the shaft is moving around this fix will not work. The brake fluid will swell ALL the seals and the ones that are NOT leaking may start because they are now soft and pliable and can't hold the high pressure like they should. Remember, there are seals in the pump too.....

64longstep · 08-15-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desert ram

here's A Trick That Worked For Me When My Power Steering Gear Box Was Leaking, (about 2 Teaspoons A Day) The Rubber Seal Around The Shaft Was Leaking. This May Sound Strange But I Did It Last Year And It Has'nt Leaked Since Then. Add 2 Tablespoons Of Brake Fuild, Yes I Said "brake Fluid" And Drive With That It May Take A While (maybe A Month) But It Will Stop. Brake Fluid Swells Up Rubber. "it Works". Just Keep Adding Power Steering Fluid Until It Stops. only If It's A Leak....

Brake fluid WILL stop the leak IF it is a rubber seal leaking, but if it is leaking because the shaft bushing is worn and the shaft is moving around this fix will not work. The brake fluid will swell ALL the seals and the ones that are NOT leaking may start because they are now soft and pliable and can't hold the high pressure like they should. Remember, there are seals in the pump too.....

i agree,but it can damage your seals,and at the same time i have used the same fix and it has lasted for years.one truck is still runing the same old ps box with out any leaks for about 8-9 years now.you do what you can, when it coasts around $300 to replase your ps box.

Larry O'Daniel · 08-16-2006, 07:08 AM

I agree, you do what you have to do. I just want to insure that everyone understands that this is really just a patch and that it can damage other seals while fixing other ones.

Gonna sell the truck, brake fluid it, tell potential buyers about the "previous" leak.

Gonna keep the truck, think about a patch vs a repair. Remember you may NOT be able to pick the time nor place when it goes out again.

But I do understand $$$ tight having been laid off as an excuse by my supervisor. We had words (read arguement) about his attitude. Seems he was an E-7 in the Air Guard and I was an 0-4 in the Reserves, and he couldn't or wouldn't leave that out of the professional "air" at our civilian jobs.

08-14-2006, 06:23 AM	#1
Keleco Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1	Power Steering Box Anyone know how hard it is to change a Power Steering box? Mine is leaking (more like pouring) PS fluid like crazy. A friend who is some what mechanically inclined said he would try to replace it, may be it just needs a new seal - what ever. Bottom line is, how difficult is it, what is the possibility of it just being a seal, any other thoughts? Right now I have limited funds and a new PS box is 150 at a junk yard and about 250 refurbished. If I can replace it myself I would be a much happier camper. I'm sick of dumping PS fluid into the thing on a twice daily basis. The truck is a 2000 Ram 1500, quad cab 4X4 and this is only the latest problem I have had with this truck. (transmission blew, throttle cable went, AC compressor siezed, radio speakers down to 1 working, and sometimes it just doesn't want to start).

08-14-2006, 08:39 PM	#3
desert ram Full Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 23	Power Steering Gear Box here's A Trick That Worked For Me When My Power Steering Gear Box Was Leaking, (about 2 Teaspoons A Day) The Rubber Seal Around The Shaft Was Leaking. This May Sound Strange But I Did It Last Year And It Has'nt Leaked Since Then. Add 2 Tablespoons Of Brake Fuild, Yes I Said "brake Fluid" And Drive With That It May Take A While (maybe A Month) But It Will Stop. Brake Fluid Swells Up Rubber. "it Works". Just Keep Adding Power Steering Fluid Until It Stops. only If It's A Leak....

08-14-2006, 09:35 PM	#4
72'CaminoKid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,756	hmmm....idk if thats a good idea, the brake fluid will go through ur system and may ruin other seals it comes in contact with __________________ 99 suburban xlt 96 silverado 91 wrangler (my baby ) 08 Honday shadow 750 (my mistress)

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08-14-2006, 07:34 AM	#2
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,014	it sounds to me that you need to get the ps pump working and get rid of that lemon. can not tell if it is just a seal, you have to look to see where it is coming from. make sure you know where it is coming from, you might put in a new pump and that not be your problem. high pressure sides usually go before anything else will since it gets so much more punishment.

08-15-2006, 10:22 AM	#5
Larry O'Daniel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tulsa, stationed at Ft. Sill, OK Posts: 90	Brake fluid WILL stop the leak IF it is a rubber seal leaking, but if it is leaking because the shaft bushing is worn and the shaft is moving around this fix will not work. The brake fluid will swell ALL the seals and the ones that are NOT leaking may start because they are now soft and pliable and can't hold the high pressure like they should. Remember, there are seals in the pump too.....

08-16-2006, 07:08 AM	#7
Larry O'Daniel Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tulsa, stationed at Ft. Sill, OK Posts: 90	I agree, you do what you have to do. I just want to insure that everyone understands that this is really just a patch and that it can damage other seals while fixing other ones. Gonna sell the truck, brake fluid it, tell potential buyers about the "previous" leak. Gonna keep the truck, think about a patch vs a repair. Remember you may NOT be able to pick the time nor place when it goes out again. But I do understand $$$ tight having been laid off as an excuse by my supervisor. We had words (read arguement) about his attitude. Seems he was an E-7 in the Air Guard and I was an 0-4 in the Reserves, and he couldn't or wouldn't leave that out of the professional "air" at our civilian jobs.