Help! Leaking power steering fluid

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casper8r
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Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:54 am

Driving back to UK we stopped in Hannover, Germany where I noticed fluid leaking from my touring. The steering pump has been noisy last two mornings and now i see a few drops of oily liquid underneath the steering rack. Is it safe to drive to Calais like this or am I risking losing the steering if the fluid runs out? Can I just top it up until I get home? I am mechanically challenged, sorry! Any advice appreciated! :?
daimlerman
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Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:57 pm

Safe to drive,worst case senaro is that you have no power assistance.
I would suggest that you keep the system partly full,the rack will require swapping ASAP,and running it completely dry will just cause more damage.
The most likely point of failure is a seal behind one of the gaiters,the gaiter fills with oil then splits,spewing it's contents out.
Worth noting that the power steering pump is only 'pumping' when required,it idles when driving in a reasonably straight line.
Youth is wasted on the young.
casper8r
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Posts: 354
Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:00 pm

Fri Aug 14, 2009 5:03 pm

Cheers daimlerman, you're a hero! Bought a bottle of ATF fluid at local dealers, topped it up - holding so far. Will look into it properly once I get home.
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