Vitara Power Steering Unit (?)

[jeremyisme]

Hi,

Just went for my WOF and they picked up a couple of things, ball joint needs fixing, easy, tighten wheel bearing, easy (I think), tighten rear suspension bush, easy,

But they also said my power steering unit was leaking (the bit which directly attaches to the steering arms etc).

Anyway, has anyone pulled one of these apart? Is it easy? Am I likely to just need a new seal or a whole new unit?

Thanks

[nicbeer]

Can u see it leaking? or will giving it a good wash before u go down there again work?

[jeremyisme]

haha, nah, it is really leaking. I might try give it a wash down before I take it in to check the other problems, so that might work.

[want33s]

It sounds silly but try some brake fluid.... I learnt on trucks and heavy equipment that if you add a bit of brake fluid to the reservoir the leaks stop. Brake fluid works as a rubber CONDITIONER. It softens old hard seals and they work again. I've done this several times with powersteer setups.. not a permanent fix but can last up to a couple of years. About 1/4 cup should do.

[jeremyisme]

Hmm, interesting idea.

I know that putting powersteering fluid in the brake reservoir is very bad, I supposedly messed up my mates car doing that (back when I was a little more naive about cars). haha

[icekayak]

Hi,

Just went for my WOF and they picked up a couple of things, ball joint needs fixing, easy, tighten wheel bearing, easy (I think), tighten rear suspension bush, easy,

But they also said my power steering unit was leaking (the bit which directly attaches to the steering arms etc).

Anyway, has anyone pulled one of these apart? Is it easy? Am I likely to just need a new seal or a whole new unit?

Thanks

otherwise repco sell powersteering fluid with stop leak. May be worth just running some of this through (was only a couple of extra $$ than the normal stuff)

only just dicvoered that stuff but in my previous 2 vitara's both leaked and never got pulled up about it at wof...

[jeremyisme]

Yeah, i have been running that for a couple of months, but I am not sure if there is actually anymore leakage, or maybe it is just left over from before.

[smiley_smoke]

Yeah, i have been running that for a couple of months, but I am not sure if there is actually anymore leakage, or maybe it is just left over from before.

hi it with some degreaser and drive it for a bit.. you will soon find out if its still leaking eh?

[want33s]

otherwise repco sell powersteering fluid with stop leak. May be worth just running some of this through (was only a couple of extra $$ than the normal stuff)
...

I wonder what the secret ingredient is ???