I have a leak in my power steering

Tiny
JAIME2912
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 69,000 MILES
Last night I drove simply around my block to pick up my kids in the rain. I noticed that the power steering was moaning when I turned the wheel but the power steering was working fine. Get up this morning & low & behold The power steering fluid when I added it about a quart lasted less than 5 min before dispersing to the ground. If it helps it looked foamy when on the pavement as it was shot out that quickly

I dumped the only 2 quarts of power steering fluid I had in it to get my kids approx less than 1/2 mile to school. While there I could see power steering fluid literally dripping(was more like a river) coming off of my radiator and actually dripping down my air damp. I am going to attempt to get it off the ground & take a look since it possibly sounds like a pressure hose. My problem is this, I have no car to get to an auto parts store for the next few hours, I have tons of oil but no more power steering fluid. Is there any substitute I can use to help me find this leak? Also would you have any idea where I could get a diagram of the power steering pump & it's hoses, it looks like a maze under the belly with everything been smashed it tightly some even sideways? Thanks for any help.
Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 5:43 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Foaming happens when the pump mixes air with oil cause it's starved for oil.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
JAIME2912
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No I dont even know where to begin looking for the specific hoses in what seems to be a maze under there. Any suggestions? And what could I possibly substitue for power steering fluid to help locate it? Thanks
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
You can use transmittion fluid. No problem you need check the pump the pressure hose or the steering rack. If its leaking that bad youll see it.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
JAIME2912
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Do you have a clue where I can get a diagram for the parts & hoses? Im a novice & a female with no fear to try but don't wanna screw more things up
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Some vehicles have a power steering hose that was not made to specification, and may rupture under extreme steering conditions. If this were to happen, power steering assist would be lost and steering effort would increase. On vehicles equipped with hydro-boost brakes, braking effort would also increase. If power steering fluid were to spray on hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could also occur. Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for the two suspect date codes and replace them if needed. The recall began October 14, 2005. The GM recall number is 05086.

Here's a part diagram of section where leak is likely. And yup trans fluid is a hydraulic oil.
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Friday, October 14th, 2011 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
BRYAND102597
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 4.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
I been having a hard time with my powersteering noise I put power steering fluid in it cause it was low and went round block and pik up some groceries and steering was making noise agin and hard to turn it is leaking from some were in front on driver side
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Wash it all off if you can then it's probably the pressure line going to the box/rack or one of those fix that first. See pic after you get it finished repairing it then fill system and turn to lock one way for 10 seconds then other way for same. Do that 4 times.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
YHOLLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155 MILES
My chevy trailblazer wont hold power steering fluid? I think its the racket pinion.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,052 POSTS
Check both the high pressure hose and the return hose to the pump. If the rack is leaking, check where the inner tie rods connect to it. That is where the leak will most likely be.
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Tuesday, February 14th, 2017 AT 10:26 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD73
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 123,000 MILES
Noise coming from the power steering pulley, when the engine is running, but when u spray any kind of lube on the belt at the belt when it goes around the pulley it goes away for a short time, 1st I changed the tensioner, idler pulley, even a new belt, but nothing has worked.
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
What kind of noise? Is steering fine? Does noise increase with steering pressure?
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD73
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Like a squealing noise, like a slipping belt, steering is fine, the noise gets a little loader when rpm goes up, no steering problems just the noise, when I spray lube on the belt above the tensioner and it goes around the pulley it goes away for a short time until the lube wares off, took belt off and cleaned all pulleys and belt off with breakclean, don't know what else to try
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
At idle does turning wheel increase noise? Does belt tension seem ok? Does belt flow smooth in motion no bouncy tensioner or wheels?
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD73
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
1st? No it does not increase noise, new tensioner, no bounce it is smooth, the noise will increase a little when rpms goes up to running rpm. I do have a left side sway bar link missing could the flex in the frame make the noise on the right side because of the missing link?
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGB196637
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,000 MILES
When in park at idle steering binds hard both right and left unless stepping on gas pedal seems to make it turn easier. No whine from pumps or leaks and fluid is full. I was told the problem maybe the pump and not the rack and pinion. Your advice please.
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
I ALWAYS fix anything obvious before I determine reasons for a problem like a noise. Has saved me alot of grief before.
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HOMER1967
  • MECHANIC
  • 875 POSTS
You either have binding in the front end, such as bent components or bad ball joints, or the most likely problem is a bad power steering pump, it is a very, very, common problem on that particular vehicle. The only way to know for sure is to have the front end inspected on turn plates and have the power steering pressure checked with a gauge. Yes, it is possible that you have a bad rack, but not likely. You may just need a good flush and the filter screen cleaned. But as I said it needs to be diagnosed properly.
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD73
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I got the swaybar links and installed them, still have noise, going to try to see if I can shim the pump pulley to see if that works.
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAD73
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I figured it out, I had to shim out the power steering pump, thanks for the info
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I put a new power steering pump and rack & pinion steering in and still have no power steering is there a bleeder or something
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Saturday, June 29th, 2019 AT 7:42 PM (Merged)

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