I've read a lot of threads on this forum about power steering leaks. The general consensus is that the high pressure line must have some sort of design flaw because they go out so frequently.

I just put the car up and followed the low pressure and high pressure line to the pump.

I added half a quart of power steering fluid because it was dry from the leak (which is very heavy), and there was no loss of fluid. I let the car run for the entire time hoping to get some of the fluid to leak out, but nothing came out.

So in following the low pressure line that runs from the tank to the pump, I noticed that the clamp was loose to the touch. So I tightened it down, thinking that this may be the cause of the leak.

So I drive to the parts store and there is no leak or drip. I add enough fluid so that the wheel turns freely and easily. Still no leak, no drips. I get under the car and feel with my fingers near the clamp, and also around the line next to it on the pump with the large banjo bolt, and nothing is come out.

By the time I get home, it's gushing out and running off the p/s control arm.

So I get under the car again, and see no leak from the high pressure or low pressure line at the pump, nor is there a leak at the top.

My question is, is there another line somewhere that isn't at the top of the engine bay, or at the pump that it could be leaking from?

It's a pretty heavy leak and I was under the car using the brightest light I have and could not see a leak.

If these are the only two sources, I will remove each hose one by one and inspect for the culprit.

If there is another source, I would like to inspect that in any way possible first.

Thanks in advance. And does anybody have a good diagram? I only found one and it is not very clear. Thank you.

 

Faulty pressure PS hoses on a 4th gen?

I had a PS leak but it was coming from the rack/pinion itself. The hoses were fine but I replaced them anyways along with a new reman rack/pinion. The replacement was done at 230k miles.

 

Where from the rack was it leaking? I was thinking this may be my problem as well because it is not coming from the lines from what I can see.

Perhaps the faulty lines were on the 5th gens, as I just read a thread again and it was a 5th gen Maxima.

Tell me more about your rack leak. I am not familiar with this car particularly, but whatever it is I can fix if I know where to look.

 

Your rack & pinion is leaking on the passenger side. Look at the pello0ws around your inner tie rod, Its probably shredded with debris getting into the rack. You may be able to replace the seal and bellows boot. Probably need a replacement rack assembly though.

Also check the lines running to/from the cooler.

 

You are correct. I didn't think to check there because I've never had a car that leaked from behind the tie rod. But sure enough, the boot is torn, and that is where it's coming from.

I am hopeful that I can replace the seal and boot and get my power steering back. I will try that first.

 

i had a torn boot w/ leaking ps fluid on passenger side a while back; i bought a seal kit and replaced the bad seal with the rack still on vehicle (it was tight but workable) and put on a new oe boot with no issues since. the seal kit has numerous seals in it (for both sides, internals and for the t-junction where the steering column connects). it took ~ 6 hours but i was working slowly.

you have to take off wheel, remove inner tie rod and big nut that steering rack's piston goes through and then remove seal inside there. the casing of rack where the end nut goes on is peened onto the nut so it's not real easy to unscrew. i drilled hole & used puller on the seal to get it out from the casing (use magnet after to pick up ant metal fragments). if i had to do over, i would not drain ps fluid right away, but would wait until after i had mostly loosened the big nut and then i would start car and turn wheel back & forth (i believe this will "push" seal out). put big nut into freezer and it will install without much trouble, locktite inner tie rod threads. you may need a new clip for inner tie rod where it meets steering rack piston end joint but i re-used mine.

i just used one (of the two) for the main rack end and would sell you what's left of mine for less than whole kit would cost you from rock auto, but it will only work for you if you only have one side leaking.

 

Thanks. I sent you a PM.

This car always had a slow leak, for the past 4 or 5 years. I'm assuming that the leak was in the rack and it eventually ate into the boot. Once it tore the boot, the seal was toast. The inner tie rod is probably shot as well.

 

yeah, mine had a leak also & that's what made the boot disintegrate. pm you on kit.