Power Steering Leak

[dendiggity]

Hey folks,

 

A safety inspector failed our OEM rack, so I pulled it out and swapped it, and that's the biggest mistake I've ever made. The OEM rack actually didn't have a leak. The pump did, and leaked onto the rack.

 

I'm on rack #3 now. #2 was an AC Delco and leaked. #3 also leaks.

 

The good news (maybe?) is that the rack seems to be leaking from the largest fitting on the hard line where it threads into the rack. Not under the boots like the last one.

 

Question - It's such a tight space - about impossible to get a tool in there without dropping the exhaust.

 

Before I do that, do any of you Subaru experts have any advice? Any idea if the size of the largest fitting (on the end of the steel line) is 15 mm or 16 mm? Is there an o-ring on the end of the fitting? I dream that all I need to do is tighten it, but I'm willing to bet that's too easy...

 

Help appreciated!

[doublechaz]

I believe those fittings have o-rings. But it has been some years since I swapped my rack, so I might mean two other trees.

[xrayspecs]

just did mine, there is an oring on the steel tubes (both pressure and return lines) that seals onto the hoses on from the pump. not sure if your mean those or where the hard tube pressure lines go into the pinion assembly. would need pictures to be sure.

[dendiggity]

I mean the latter! Where the hard lines connect to the rack & pinion...

 

Tried to take a pic, but couldn't get anything clear.

[xrayspecs]

based on the FSM I have the pressure and return lines (17 & 18) dont show a oring (7) between the tube nuts and the pinion (22) connection.

 

however in the power steering unit trouble shooting section at (6) the Valve housing shows note (d) which calls for replacement of the pipe or o-ring so there could be an oring there.

 

I have one sitting on the floor of my garage i just pulled off my car, ill check spanners sizes and take pictures of whats there to confirm which it is this afternoon as long as its not 100+ in my garage tonight.

[xrayspecs]

pulled the oem rack in my garage apart this afternoon, there are o-rings on the pressure and return lines from the pinon/valve housing. return is a 17mm, pressure is a 14mm and the fluid lines to the piston are 12mm tube fittings.

 

 

 

Edited September 2, 2020 by xrayspecs
I cant spell

[dendiggity]

xrayspecs THANK YOU!! great info here. time to get to work.

 

here's to hoping it's just an o-ring. still have to confirm where it's leaking but i'm about 90% sure it's from the 17 mm fitting. i'll keep you posted.

[dendiggity]

Victory! It was the o-ring on the 17 mm return hose fitting. Sprayed brake cleaner and burnt my arm on the exhaust to confirm where the leak was.

 

Sacrificed my 17 mm wrench and bent it into a modified box wrench after getting it red with heat. I cut a hole in wrench just enough to fit it around the steel line.

 

Getting the o-ring on was quite the headache. Old o-ring fell right off when the fitting came out. Never saw it until I found it in my drain pan, all brittle and shredded.

 

Big thanks to xrayspecs for the great info!

 

A rather hellacious job, but I didn't have to drop the rack, exhaust, etc.

[xrayspecs]

Glad I could help and that you got it fixed.