Still fighting the Power Steering

[wahoo23]

I recently replaced my power steering pump, hoses, slave cylinder and had the control valve rebuilt. I put everything back to gether and the P/S finally works great, but... I now have a leak where one of the short hoses enters the slave cylinder. Everything is new, and all hoses are tight (and not too tight, I don't think). Anyone have any ideas? Bad hose?

 

[TD68302]

Make sure that the hard line is centered in the tube nut, if it is not centered it can leak.

 

[Rusty67]

Make sure that the hard line is centered in the tube nut, if it is not centered it can leak.

This is true. If it is still leaking after you retighten the line then the flare fitting may be damaged. You can get around this buy buying a piece of copper from a brake supply store that is made to go into the flare fitting. Put them in and tighten them down and it should stop the leak. Also, use a little RTV on the threads to help prevent leakage.

 

[wahoo23]

After re-seating the hard line, and adding a little RTV, the leak seems to have stopped. I think (as of right now) I've got the PS problems licked!

Thanks, all, for responding to both of my PS threads.

 

[yeloxr7]

Putting RTV or any other compound on the threads of a flare fitting will not help with a leak. I would think that RTV would lubricate the threads, making it easier for the fitting to work its way out of the part it is threaded into. Besides, it is possible for bits of the RTV to get into the system, and that could cause problems.

The sealing on a flare fitting takes place between the flare and the seat. Sometimes the flare will crack or the seat will wear in a spot, thus causing a leak. The seats are removeable and replacements are available. Some folks recommend replacing the seat when a hose assembly is replaced.

 

[wahoo23]

Putting RTV or any other compound on the threads of a flare fitting will not help with a leak. I would think that RTV would lubricate the threads, making it easier for the fitting to work its way out of the part it is threaded into. Besides, it is possible for bits of the RTV to get into the system, and that could cause problems.

The sealing on a flare fitting takes place between the flare and the seat. Sometimes the flare will crack or the seat will wear in a spot, thus causing a leak. The seats are removeable and replacements are available. Some folks recommend replacing the seat when a hose assembly is replaced.

Interesting...All parts were new and still leaked. After applying the RTV, the leak stopped. Maybe it was a case of a better seat when I re-installed the hose... Either way, I've got it licked! Thanks!