Noise when turning right

[Hippotastic]

hmm, I added a litre of auto box fluid. I did the check in D after a run, it showed full when cold and engine off, but it was below min when in D and warm.

That's the exact reason i advocate checking the level "hot" and "live"...For a true reading... You did add a dexron ATF,not the "mercon" type hippo? All ATF's arent the same....

Same for the power steering fluid, dexron type. (power steering fluid bottle is under driver's seat also)

Dextron 3 ATF I asked for and got

[bigdaddycain]

Spot on! I love it when peeps do their homework! Gold star awarded!

[dandywarhol]

I did that thanks. I had the oil changed a month ago, and the garage said the Autobox/power steering was leaking. They did not know which as they both use the same intercooler, and this was the leak point. They tightened it all up, and said it might have just shook the nuts loose as big diesels can do that.

I added a Litre to the tank as I was low on the stick. Well I checked that level first on hearing the noise, even bought new fluid, but it had not dropped at all from when the garage did their thing. I was thinking it was the power steering myself, and my next thought was either the front diff or the power steering pump. But it makes sense that it is just the CV joint, I have had new drop links, and anti roll bar bushes and new front tires fitted in the last month, and I guess I am still flushing out the previous wear and tear.

Mechanic's talking crap hippo - I'd be looking for a new one..........

[Hippotastic]

Mechanic's talking crap hippo - I'd be looking for a new one..........

hmm ok. Well I was happy with the work, and the leak did stop. I supplied my own parts, and he charged labour for fitting. I am taking it back on Saturday for its MOT, I will clarify what he said and what I heard him say then. They might be different, but what I wrote is my understanding of the conversation. I can probably trust him with a CV joint..

[Hippotastic]

Well My Bongo passed it's MOT yesterday. I just put it in and told them it was making a funny noise when turning right. It passed with no advisors, just a side light gone, and they felt the suspension was fine.

After I got it back, I asked about the noise, and it turnes out it was the power steering that was leaking, with the bottle nearly empty. I asked if they thought it was the pipes or the seals, they do not know for now. So I have bought some Lucas Rack and Pinion sealer, thats claims on the bottle to be able to bung the leaking seals. I topped it up with Dextron 3 and put the cap backon. I reset the odometer. The noise went away, and I just drove to Birmingham and back today with no noise or problems.

I guess sooner or later I am going to have to replace the power steering rack/motor/pipes. Otherwise I think my Bongo is running very sweet now, and handles well and quietly. I guess its all part of the shaking down process. I intend to keep this van for a while, hence the investment in the mechanicals.

Looking at the Lush projects link Kirsty provided, it looks like there is a reservior, a pump, and the rack itself. From the diagram there looks like 4 soft hoses are in the system, I guess they would be a good place to start by replacing those. Are they hard to come by? As the rack is working fine and hits lock to lock fine (and passed an MOT yesterday) and the motor seems fine when it has enough oil, I might just need pipework replacement. If it is not a leaking pipe somewhere, I guess a look at the boots on the rack to see if they let oil out, then the seals might be the problem and the rack will need attention I guess.

Any ideas of the ball park figure for a refurbed or replacement steering rack/motor? I am not sure what I need.

Any thoughts on what to do next?

Hippo.

[teenmal]

Well My Bongo passed it's MOT yesterday. I just put it in and told them it was making a funny noise when turning right. It passed with no advisors, just a side light gone, and they felt the suspension was fine.

After I got it back, I asked about the noise, and it turnes out it was the power steering that was leaking, with the bottle nearly empty. I asked if they thought it was the pipes or the seals, they do not know for now. So I have bought some Lucas Rack and Pinion sealer, thats claims on the bottle to be able to bung the leaking seals. I topped it up with Dextron 3 and put the cap backon. I reset the odometer. The noise went away, and I just drove to Birmingham and back today with no noise or problems.

I guess sooner or later I am going to have to replace the power steering rack/motor/pipes. Otherwise I think my Bongo is running very sweet now, and handles well and quietly. I guess its all part of the shaking down process. I intend to keep this van for a while, hence the investment in the mechanicals.

Looking at the Lush projects link Kirsty provided, it looks like there is a reservior, a pump, and the rack itself. From the diagram there looks like 4 soft hoses are in the system, I guess they would be a good place to start by replacing those. Are they hard to come by? As the rack is working fine and hits lock to lock fine (and passed an MOT yesterday) and the motor seems fine when it has enough oil, I might just need pipework replacement. If it is not a leaking pipe somewhere, I guess a look at the boots on the rack to see if they let oil out, then the seals might be the problem and the rack will need attention I guess.

Any ideas of the ball park figure for a refurbed or replacement steering rack/motor? I am not sure what I need.

Any thoughts on what to do next?

Hippo.

Hi Hippo,
I am a wee bit confused,did your vehicle pass the MOT with a power steering rack fluid Leak??

[Hippotastic]

Yes. It passed as the steering was working fine. I drove it to the test center. The MOT ran until April anyhow, I was expecting problems. Maybe the fluid was not leaking from the rack, it might be the pipes, and as the bottle was realy low, it might not have been leaking at all at that time.

Are they obliged to check the bottle levels? I told them of the noise, mentioned maybe CV joints, and left it to them to check. It only made noise at speed turning right...

I did not check the level myself until after the test certificate was handed over, but I did it with the garage guy in tow. I bought the fluids around the corner and added the fluids myself

[Hippotastic]

I guess the reason for my post was to say that I found the problem with the noise, its the steering fluid leaking out and the bottle was nearly empty. The MOT thing was me discounting a mechanical problem with the front suspension.

And the rest of my post was me thinking aloud and asking advice on how to tackle fixing the problem in the most cost efficient manner.

[teenmal]

I guess the reason for my post was to say that I found the problem with the noise, its the steering fluid leaking out and the bottle was nearly empty. The MOT thing was me discounting a mechanical problem with the front suspension.

And the rest of my post was me thinking aloud and asking advice on how to tackle fixing the problem in the most cost efficient manner.

OK---------PASS

[missfixit70]

Check the pinion top seal, that's where mine leaks from, it can be replaced in situ apparantly, I'll get around tuit one day, but it's such a tiny leak, I'm not too worried ATM. The seal kit is about £30 odd I think. I did strip an old steering rack donated by Bongoing-Mad-Simon, but the inner seal on the rack is virtually impossible to get out, I wouldn't feel confident in being able to do it without scratching the bore. Seem to remember someone refurbed one on here & it leaked worse after doing it. Let us know how you get on locating the leak, if you can now you've put leak stop in You might find it'll be fine now, could just be it hasn't been checked or topped up in a looong time.
I think refurbed racks can be got for around £150, nice & easy to get to & replace too ( ever tried to do an espace steering rack ?:evil: )

[Hippotastic]

Thanks for that. I posted earlier that there are 4 soft hoses in the power steering system, do you think these might be the problem area? I have looked at racks on various sites, all a bit more than you suggested and they list seals for a refurb, but I cannot find any replacement hoses. Shall I just discount the hoses?

[missfixit70]

Could be the hoses, not heard of any up to now, most leak from the pinion top seal, hence the suggestion to check it.

[Hippotastic]

just an update. The leak stop I added seems to have worked. I have done nearly 900 Km since the last post, and the fluid level seems to be holding up. It went from the brim to about half inch down, still way over the min line. I might check again in another 1000km and see if it needs topping up or it has indeed stabalised.