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Inside the Power Steering Reservoir – A Couple Pictures
Hi Everyone –
My power steering high-pressure hose sprung a leak at 3rd Coast and today I replaced both the pressure and return lines. While I was at it, I also replaced the reservoir as I’ve read it has a filter inside. Once I finished replacing the reservoir I took a hacksaw to it to see what’s really inside. Below are a couple pictures. Not what I would call a filter per se, but more of a screen. I seriously doubt replacing it will make any difference, but it does give a little piece of mind knowing it’s good to go and that there were no big chunks rattling around in there.
FWIW, I found changing the power steering lines to be a moderate PITA. It’s not a hard job, but it just seems there’s always something in the way. To disconnect the lines from the rack, the sway bar has to be moved. To gain access to the back of the power steering pump, the alternator has to be removed. To remove the alternator, the large pivot bolt at the top has to be removed – and that requires the fan shroud to be moved. To remove/connect the return line, the coil has to be removed. On and on… What I thought would be a quick 2-hour job turned out to be more like 4 or 5.
Anyway, for those (like me) who wondered what was inside the reservoir, wonder no more.
My pressure line has a bumper that surrounds the hose to keep it from rubbing and away from the driver side shock tower. I suppose I could run my reservoir thru my sonic cleaner, not that it's expensive.
Thanks for sharing the pic of the reservoir internals. I figured they would be something along the lines of that installed.
The element in the reservoir is a "strainer" rather than a filter per se. Filters by design remove finer material and are typically installed in the pump discharge [such as the oil and fuel filters]. The intent with strainers is to catch particulate matter that could fall into the reservoir when the cap is removed and subsequently damage the pump internals. As the item has had a "very careful owner" I doubt you would find anything in there.
Interesting how ZF went to quite some lengths to maximise the surface area available for such suggesting they expected to catch something sooner or later.
. After I installed one the fluid turned back to a nice red. I have thought about installing one of these on the GTS. They offer different sizes to fit the power steering line.
Not what I would call a filter per se, but more of a screen. I seriously doubt replacing it will make any difference, but it does give a little piece of mind knowing it’s good to go and that there were no big chunks rattling around in there.
I had a terrible groan from the power steering system on the Stepson. The fluid level was correct. Power steering groan can be caused by a lack of fluid to the pump. I replaced the reservoir and the groan went away. Apparently the "filter" was gunked up enough that it was causing a lack of fluid to the pump and the resultant groan. YMMV
I had this happen when I re-installed the engine a few years ago (still using the TBF motor) I rebuilt the rack and replaced all components. Went so far as to build a test bench to leak check and verify functionality prior to install.
Mark Kilbort even sent me a spare pump in case I went that route.
I found this plastic/rubber plug in the reservoir.
If you still have the original pressure line, could you cut into that and verify the existence or absence of a restrictor? On my '88 it looks like there is a restrictor on the outlet of the pump and perhaps not in the line. I think there is one in the line on early cars, though not totally sure.
If you still have the original pressure line, could you cut into that and verify the existence or absence of a restrictor? On my '88 it looks like there is a restrictor on the outlet of the pump and perhaps not in the line. I think there is one in the line on early cars, though not totally sure.
Cool, thanks for sharing the innards photo. Was the reservoir leaking? Why did you replace it?
I'm guessing the set up on the S models are different than the S4s. I also had to loosen up the sway bar from below but was able to replace both my PS lines without having to touch the alternator. I did have to remove the coil and reservoir and used a crow foot wrench with some extensions to get to the back side of the pump from the top. I can't remember but 4-5 hours was probably the same amount of time it took me.
Sorry, should have been more clear. Have always believed there was a restrictor in the small center metal section, although recently some have said not, and that the metal section is just there so it can be clipped to the wall without abrasion concerns. At least in later cars.
01-30-2019, 09:10 PM
Inside the Power Steering Reservoir – A Couple Pictures
