Still leaking : PSF leak where PS fluid line and return line connect to rack

UPDATE: apparently, all new steering racks have to have a bleed and flush procedure. And I don't mean just replacing the fluid and turning the steering wheel back-and-forth to get the air out of the lines.

As soon as I mentioned a leak to the manufacturer before I can get the words out of my mouth they said you must not have done that procedure. As soon as it was done, the leak went away. Maybe it had something to do with it being prefilled with hydraulic fluid for leak testing I don't know, but I'm just relieved. It is now fixed.




I'm just creating a new thread for this.

I just replaced my steering rack with a brand new one from Detroit axle. That works great.


However, it did not come with O-rings where the fluid lines from the power steering pump and return to the transmission cooler connect to the rack. Not the pressure lines that go from the end of the rack to the other. Those 4 O-rings are easy to find in one of the diagrams and the rack came with those and the pressure lines already installed

Toyota dealership could not find them in their parts catalog diagrams

Right after I replaced the rack, I took it for an alignment. I did not realize it was leaking. The shop saw the leak and replaced one of the power steering lines. However, that's not the issue. As @bmf4069, who has already replaced his rack successfully, noted there are in fact O-rings


Here is an equivalent diagram. Identical to what the Toyota dealership and I looked up. There are no references to O-rings on the steering rack diagram or this one - the power steering line diagram

 

You should contact whoever you bought the rack from or Detroit for replacement orings.

 

they were not much help. They just gave me a $10 credit.

I don't believe they have much of a support department. They just replace it if you have problems which they did with my original shipment because it was damaged.

 

I messed up one of my o-rings that came with my steering rack from Detroit Axle. I went to Autozone and bought a variety pack of O-Rings. I think it cost me $10, and had what I needed and much more.

Guy running the checkout tried to tell me to buy them from Harbor Freight instead for $4.

Point being, I'd buy a variety pack of o-rings and find one that fit. Should cost less than $10.

 

thanks I guess I just wanted some extra confirmation that it does in fact need O-rings even though the Toyota dealership could not find them in their diagrams. But now I've heard from you in a few others that confirm

so I bought that pack of O-rings that you spoke of and should get it resolved today or tomorrow




Thanks, everyone

 

To answer your question about whether or not they are needed. I went to Rock Auto, selected power steering pressure hose and found a library of images like this:

 

I'm embarrassed to say I took both lines off yesterday. The New return line came with an O-ring. And the pressure line coming in had the old O-ring. I guess while under the truck it was so small that I just couldn't see it while installing the new steering rack

They both now have new O-rings and yet it still leaked afterwards

 

FINAL UPDATE: (hopefully)

OK, as far as the O-rings go, I don't believe that was the reason for the leak. The O-rings were so tiny I could not see them under my vehicle so it was put back with the old ones. However, putting new ones on it didn't resolve the issue.

it was leaking from the rack itself where the steering connects to the rack and pinion. As soon as I contacted Detroit axle and told him it was leaking, I could hardly get the words out of my mouth before they told me that I didn't follow the flush and bleed procedure

I did do a power steering flush. I thought I got the air out of the system, doing the procedures in the videos. However, apparently you have to open the actual bleeder valve and there are a few more steps.


Now all is working correctly, no leaks, seems to be a great product with a 10 year warranty.

if you want to go Detroit Axle's rebuild route where you return your old core instead of a brand new product, you can get a lifetime warranty

I guess I should've asked, but I assumed the rebuild route was just replacing the seals and that it used the existing gears/worm gear and I was pretty sure mine had some play in it

 

Glad you got it squared away.

What was Detroit's recommended flush and bleed procedure? And how long have you had the rack installed?

I ask because I did not follow any flush and bleed procedure when I installed my Detroit steering rack (I know, I probably should have). I bolted it in, noticed it already had fluid in it, so I just bolted up the lines (which I replaced at the same time), and filled it with fluid. My truck sat for several weeks after that while I worked on other things, but all I did to get air out was rotate my steering wheel left and right a bunch of times every couple of days till the fluid level in the reservoir stabilized. After that I started it, kept turning the wheel more and topped it off a few more times. I drove it for a day after that, topped off the fluid 1 more time, and I've put several hundred miles on it since then. I've checked numerous times, no leaks or noises for me.

 

You did what I did.

I've been driving it about a week I think


This is what they sent me. And the shop realized this needed to be done and fixed it for me while they were doing the alignment. I still was thinking it was just the wrong O-ring.

1. Crack open the bleed valve slightly.
2. Turn the steering wheel several times lock to lock.
3. Top off the power steering fluid once the air is no longer in there.
4. Turn the steering wheel a few more times and check the fluid level once more before driving.
5. With the rack and pinion hoses disconnected, place the outlet hose from the power steering pump into a waste container.
6. Fill the pump reservoir to maximum with fresh fluid.
7. Start the engine. Continue filling the pump reservoir with fresh fluid until the fluid coming from the pump outlet is running clean.

​

 

Still losing power steering fluid. It appears to be coming from the seal up top where it connects to the steering column. Sorry for not knowing the correct terminology.

I'm getting very concerned that it is a bad steering rack. That's gonna be a PITA total redo if so.

 

If that seal is bad, then it sounds like that might be the case unfortunately...

 

The more I look at it it's hard to be sure.

It could also be coming from the higher fluid line which I believe is coming from the pump to the steering rack.

 

Clean everything off and check again. Make sure that top line is lined up and seated correctly.

I learning the rubber piece on the top of the steering rack comes off. Might disconnect your steering linkage, pull that rubber piece, then run it and watch for a leak.

 

What bleed valve are we talking about here? Where is it located?