I have a '99 Acura TL and I have recently been experiencing a problem with my power steering. I would like to do the work myself and get this problem resolved as it is INCREDIBLY hard to turn the wheel. I believe I have a leak of some sort. I can fill my power steering fluid up and it'll last for about 3-5 days and then it'll be right back out.

My question is how do I go about fixing the leak?

What parts should I need & best place to buy them?

and any other tidbits you guru's might find helpful!

 

I say start off by locating the leak then go from there.

 

yep- thats about it~
Clean everything off with Gunk engine cleaner or similar
Start engine and watch fluid lines and connections for leak, while friend turns wheels back and forth to make pressure in the system
Fluid may spurt out or dribble depending on the problem

May have seal damage/leak on steering rack
Peel the rubber boot back on rack ends and look for fluid- if there is any- its got a blown rack seal

other common failure
Orings at pump on end of lines fail and leak
Lines break and leak

use honda ps fluid

 

ever changed the ps fluid in the cars life??

should flush and replace it every 60,000 miles, but few do and the grunge eats the seals

wiki hygroscopic for why it happens

 

Thank you so much for your help!I'm definitely going to be contacting you when I have a little extra free cash to get this taken care of. I'll probably have a few questions. Is their a a risk with driving with that problem? Or is more of nuisance then anything?

 

you can end up with no power steering while you drive,
burn out the pump from lack of fluid
Damage the steering rack from lack of fluid

So in general- yes its bad to drive it with a known ps leak

 

Just go outside and have someone turn the wheel with the car running. Locate the leak and replace the hose. Hose cost 38 cents an inch. Stop being lazy! Fix it now or pay $$$ later

 

Umm my PS Pump is starting to leak, What is better? Reconstruct it? or Buy a Brandless RMF in Autozone?
New OEM is too pricey to consider.

 

see the new thread on diy ps pump $22.95--not in the diys yet,,regular thread