My car is leaking power steering how to fix it?

How to Fix a Power Steering Hose Leak
How to Fix Power Steering Hose Leak
Replacing Leaking Power Steering Hose

This very much depends on where the leak is coming from. Hoses are generally the weak point. As they get older they can deteriorate and then crack causing a leak. Ageing hoses tend to make the power steering fluid very dark (normally a light honey). There are two cheap temporary fixes to go for. Th first is self amalgamating silicon tape ("Rescue Tape"). Wrap this as tight as you can up and down over the leak in the hose about four layers thick. An alternative is to add 'power steering leak stop' fluid to your steering reservoir tank. You will need to take some fluid out with a turkey baster of if already low due to the leak just top it up. Circulate the fluid by running the engine and turning the steering wheel from lock to lock. The more expensive and long tem solution is to replace the hoses with new ones.

You need to determine where the leak is originating. The possbilities are:

1. Leaking from the power steering pump.
2. Leaking from the high pressure hose at the steering rack
3. Leaking from the return hose at the steering rack
4. Leaking from the steering rack boot(s).

Once you find the leak source, replace that component.

You have to work from under the car to replace the hose

Only get it from a dealer that way it will fit correctly

Power steering & a/c hoses I have found have to be OE
from dealer to fit right

If you find the rack leaks inside the rubber bellows then
it has to go,it can't be fixed,only rebuilt in a factory

there has to be a leak if you are continually topping up the steering fluid.check the power steering lines closely for leak it may just be a pinhole leak.if this has rack&pinion steering check the bellows(rubber boots on either side of the rack)the fluid could be leaking into the boots past the inner seals.if it is then the rack will have to be replaced and an alignment done.check the power steering pump for any leaks as well.if it has conventional steering check the steering box seals for leaks and the hoses as well.

make sure you put teflon tape on the hose screw that is where your leak is coming from

Common part to leak is the high side power steering hose from the pump to the steering rack or steering box. You can replace the hose your self with common tools and you can pick up the hose at Auto Zone with instructions to get the job done your self.

I could go further but i don't know what type of car you have, but you can log on to Auto Zone.com for the price of the hose you need and the instructions free of charge.

Thank you for using Fixya and good luck.

You will have a leak from the pump, pressure hoses or the rack. You will have to get the system washed down and inspected for the leak, most common problem is the steering rack leaking, this will leak oil onto the exhaust and cause your smoking problem, start her.


Remove the power steering pump pulley.
Place a drain pan under the vehicle. Important: Cap or plug the ends of the power steering hoses to prevent fluid loss.
Disconnect the power brake booster inlet hose from the power brake booster.



Disconnect the power steering cooler hose from the power steering pump.



Disconnect the power steering pump remote reservoir hose from the power steering pump.



Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
Remove the power steering pump rear mounting bracket nut.
Lower the vehicle.
Loosen the accessory bracket bolts and nut. Pull the accessory bracket forward.
Remove the power steering pump mounting bolts.
Remove the power steering pump and the power brake booster inlet hose from the vehicle.
Remove the power brake booster inlet hose from the power steering pump.

if you got the hydro brake boost system .check your power steering pump hoses for leaks .check master cylinder is leaking. fill power steering pump and master cylinder with fluid. the one that is the lowest that the one leaking. if your hydro boost brake unit is leaking .replace it .if power steering pump leaking. it not the hoses replace it . because if power steering goes out brakes will also go out.

First You need to find out where the leak is-coming from,it can only be one of the following power steering hose return and pressure hoses, power steering pump and reservoir and rack and pinion. For any of these leaks they are no quick fixes for thseproblembecuaseof the high pressure in the steering system. So any of the problem you will need to replace that component. Good luck and thanks for using FIX YA