Power Steering Fluid Leak

[fiver49er]

Well, finally resolved my piston misfires...head gasket...and engine runs great. 1 week later I have a power steering fluid leak (99% sure) but can't figure out where it's coming from. Is there a spot that's most common for these leaks?

It leaks only after I've driven the truck and usually stops dripping after parked for a while. I cleaned the oil/grease off the lines and mounts with engine Gunk then drove it again. I've attached a few pics looking down under the mass air intake (driver side front). The fact that the fluid seems to be spraying everywhere makes me think the leak is from the high-pressure hose connection at the pump. Thoughts?

 

[mbrummal]

Clean it again and have someone turn the steering wheel to lock for a few seconds while you look at the hoses. You'll see pretty quick exactly where the problem is.

 

[fiver49er]

Clean it again and have someone turn the steering wheel to lock for a few seconds while you look at the hoses. You'll see pretty quick exactly where the problem is.

Thank you. You were right, was very obvious. Of course, it's the line that runs under the radiator. I've heard it's possible to slide the radiator back without having to remove the hoses when replacing this PAS line. Any tips? The manuals and videos I've seen don't show how to do this...actually, I can't even find a manual with instructions for how to replace this line.

 

[DiscoClay]

If its a D1, I seem to recall you can pull the grill and get to it. While you're pulling hoses, those o-rings going into the steering box are usually pretty well chewed up as well.

 

[fiver49er]

Sorry, it's a D2 ('04). Was able to unbolt the radiator, but still can't get to the bolts (or are they just studs?) securing the coolant portion of the pump-to-box line to the truck. I really don't want to drain the cooling system for a fourth time this year just to replace this line. I'm still searching for a manual or video with instructions for replacing PS lines.

 

[mbrummal]

The lines are held in place with a couple of brackets bolted to the frame. You may be able to unbolt the brackets from the front of the frame cross member under the condenser. Here's the best pic I have of one of them.

 

[fiver49er]

The lines are held in place with a couple of brackets bolted to the frame. You may be able to unbolt the brackets from the front of the frame cross member under the condenser. Here's the best pic I have of one of them.


View attachment 65566

Thank you.

 

[fiver49er]

Update: Unfortunately, I didn't see Mason's post before I tried again. So, AFTER I drained the cooling system and removed the radiator, I finally found the two screws that secure the line to the frame. NOT easy to get to and even harder to put back in...but success!

In hindsight, I do think it's possible to remove and replace the pump-to-box line without removing the radiator. If you unbolt the radiator and remove the plastic brackets, you may be able to push it back far enough to get the line in/out.