Steve Martin

had not had an issue before yesterday. was driving Karla to work, got two blocks from home and smoke started coming from under the hood. Wierd smell and smoke??? Instantly pulled into a parking lot, shut it down and opened hood to inspect.....I saw a fluid on the driver side down by the cross member but no puddle on the ground.
Checked the oil level-Fine. Checked brake fluid, coolant res., and washer fluid- everything was fine. Started up and headed home(about three blocks) when I turned onto my street the steering made allot of noise, aaahaa. Opened hood, started to inspect and came up with this:

1 - Line from steering rack to the pump

2 - the rack itself?

I will try to get under it today and see(got a pool to close first). but do these things just go bad like this? had no warning, no sounds or smell, just suddely caput?

dr bob

Verfiy PS fluid level. If there's a leak, fluid will be low.

Hoses leak, racks can leak, pumps can leak. Pretty much in that order of popularity. Clean it all up in the area with some detergent and water with engine old, let it all dry. Restore PS fluid level in the reservoir, start the car, and strat looking for the source. Fluid leaks while driving tend to get blown around, so cleaning first makes it easier to find the source of the leak as opposed to the puddle that's the result of the leak.

Steve Martin

thanks for the insight. the resevoir is low, so there is a leak somewhere down there. I will clean then check in that order.

Ethre

From the parts catalog, it appears that your PS lines have rubber spliced to metal. Might be worth checking the rubber section for wear. On my 82 they're routed along the side of the engine compartment and have rubbed on the slight hump by the wheel well. Wear on the pressure line could be bad. I don't think it should be (quite) as big of a deal with the return line (lower pressure) though.

Oh yes, and you may not want to stick your hand in there to feel for leaks while its running. I don't know how much pressure the pressure line is actually under, but fluid sprays can do nasty things to skin with very little pressure.

Skiviking

Haviing just replaced my steering rack, when it started to go and when it first lost fluid...I had no puddles to show...when I finally got a puddle under the car you could see it all the way down the right side...but no hose leaks...it wasn't untill I pulled one of the racks boots back I was flooded with fluid....since my boots were not torn or cracked it held the fluid that was leaking past the seals and holding it like a Tic on a dog....it only blew past when it was full and pressure pushed it past....the boots held almost 1QT! And yes once the seals go...it is CAPUT....until you rebuild it or replace...
I got my rack from Roger at 928srus...fast and complete and very reasonable! I had it installed in about 3-4 hrs but I took my time. Good Luck!

Steve Martin

I'll be sure to beware that I have room to move once underneeth. Caput meant...running no problem, turn corner and gone-done-caput. seriously, one right turn! B^&*ch needs a slap then a hug....

Imo000

Check the hoses going to and from the reservoir. They are both connected at the bottom of the tank. Have a really good look at it as the rubber hose will crank and develop a pinhole leak.

Mrmerlin

I would guess that your hi pressure line has failed take the belt off if you want to keep driving the car this is the line that has a rubber doughnut on it that passes along the fender.
BUT dont run the car with the PS belt attached as you can easily catch fire. Now is also a good time to replace the reservoir the factry curved hose and cut the swage for the short line and screw clamp a new short line to the reservoir

Steve Martin

well Had the car towed(been raining for 2 days) to the garage. The ligh presure line has a leak. So, this is what we are going to do:

1 motor mounts
2 high presure steering hose
3 the othter steering hose
4 PS fluid resevoir


any place other than the dealer to get these???

Mrmerlin

Roger@928srus.com

Skiviking

Glad you didn't have to replace your steering Rack.....hope your up and running soon

Steve Martin

yep. just ordered parts today. mounts, PS presure line, PS resevoir, oil pan gasket(got the oil and filter), new plugs and washers for the diff.( gonna drain and refill)


Did I miss anything?

928 at last

You put the right fluids back in. Lots of data here Steve, or you can call and I'll check the garage......

Given how cooked your motor mounts were/are, I'd suggest a set of tranny mounts. Then it's all good, and you know the mounts are fresh.

Steve Martin

Hey rob

You got some parts there too. Anything big?

928 at last

Define "BIG"