Power steering leaking a lot of fluid

VERONICA WIMMS

MEMBER
2009 NISSAN MURANO
3.5L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

I got the car and replaced the power steering pump and drive belt and they apparently broke the power steering switch partly off in the actual part it screws into and partly in the harness it plugs into causing a major loss of fluid. I replaced the switch and had to buy another harness because the broken part of the switch won't come out thinking this would stop my leak but wrong it didn't. So now i'm still leaking fluid everywhere not just a little drip here and there but actual puddles when parked and a stream sometimes while driving it. What can I do to stop it?

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

It sounds like the high side hose is leaking. to but sure can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response. Here is how to change out the hose in the diagrams below. This video shows the job being done on a similar car but the process is the same:

https://youtu.be/BGBUv5r9fk0

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

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Thursday, June 24th, 2021 AT 2:58 PM

VERONICA WIMMS

MEMBER
144 POSTS

Can you tell me what to video as in from top or under the car? Either way I can never find the actual leak spot from either way and now the steering messed up all together.

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Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 AT 4:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Hi,

I noticed we haven't heard from you for a couple of days. Has any progress been made? As far as the video, take a video of the spots that show the most fluid. Hopefully, we will be able to gain an idea of where it is coming from.

Also, in this case, I would get engine cleaner and spray everything off so it's clean. Once dry, start the engine and see if you can tell where the leak is. If you don't see it, turn the engine off and then inspect. You don't want it to make a big mess again preventing you from seeing where it originates.

Let us know.

Take care,

Joe

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Friday, July 16th, 2021 AT 7:10 PM

VERONICA WIMMS

MEMBER
144 POSTS

So far I have managed to disconnect and drain the reservoir and feeder hose the drive belt I removed the cotter pin from the tie rod but can't get it out the knuckle itself and found that the boots on the rack are no longer connected at the rack. My haynes repair manual tbh is useless when it comes to details or step by step instructions on how or in what order to remove parts in order to remove the rack. As for puddles they are mainly under the area where the pumps located but I will attempt to video the situation shortly. I was given some pics of the hose diagram to the power steering but it was confusing and i'm unable to clock the links given in the diagrams. So i'm a bit frustrated and lost at this point. Please help

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Saturday, July 17th, 2021 AT 7:43 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Veronica,

I'll help you through this. First, the tie rods have a castle nut which the cotter pin goes through. Once the cotter pin and castle nut is removed, you will need a pry bar and a hammer. The easiest thing I can show you is the following link. It is for replacing the tie rod, which I don't think you are, but it shows how to disconnect it from the steering knuckle.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

Also, if you look at the attached picture, it is what is called a pickle fork. Ugh! I call them a tie-rod fork. You can see how it's tapered. Carefully slide it between the tie rod and the knuckle and as you hammer it in, it will release the tie-rod. This is an option. Most parts stores will lend one to you.

As far as the boots on the rack and pinion, they are dust covers. You can get replacement clamps for those at most parts stores, so as long as there is no power steering fluid leaking from them, clean them up and reclamp them.

I'm a bit confused as to why you are removing the tie rod. That shouldn't be required to replace the hoses. That is what you are replacing, correct? Or, are you replacing the rack and pinion?

Let me know. Also, I understand why you are frustrated. Hang in there. I'll try my best to help you through this. Just let me know exactly what you are focusing on.

Take care,

Joe

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