Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I have heard the rumour that adding a small quantity of brake fluid to a PAS system will stop leaks, anyone know if it is true???

I've heard that too

a small amount is meant to swell up the rubbers, and stop the leaks

never tried it though..

Both the Wynn's and Lucas power steering stop leak additives work really well from experience.
I'm not sure about putting brake fluid in there tho

HotFourOk wrote:Both the Wynn's and Lucas power steering stop leak additives work really well from experience.
I'm not sure about putting brake fluid in there tho

The Lucas stuff is incredibly viscous - I wonder if it does more harm than good... I tried it, and at first it helped, but now the leak seems to have gotten worse again...

Yeah, i noticed the Lucas additive is honey-like consistency... whereas the Wynns additive is thinner than the regular fluid.

All additives are only masking a problem, they are not "fixing" anything.
The theory behind brake fluid as mentioned is that it softens rubber seals causing them to swell and possibly seal a little better. The down side is that the brake fluid is actually reacting with the rubber seal and while it may temporarily seal it usually doesn't take long for the seal to deteriorate and require replacement.
The additives do a similar job in a less aggressive manner. If the fluid is leaking past a rubber or neoprene seal then the additive has a chance of working. If the fluid is leaking because and o'ring has squared, a bush has worn, a shaft has worn, a welsh plug/fitting is leaking or a rubber hose is leaking then the additives wont do jack.
Try fixing it properly the first time.

I used brake fluid worked for a few months but then when it leaked again it was alot worse. Its alright for a temp fix but it isnt going to last for years like putting new seals in it.

We are talking to a Land Rover owner here. Their power steering almost leaked from new and even a professional overhaul only seems a temporary fix
J Top

Ok u could mount a drip tray under your box and install a larger tank on your pump???

brake fluid will DEFINATELY NOT fix the leak.... it will make it much worse... at least it has when i have accidentally put it in both my luxes...i cant beleive i did it twice either but the damn bottles look so much the same...

ISUZUROVER wrote:

HotFourOk wrote:Both the Wynn's and Lucas power steering stop leak additives work really well from experience.
I'm not sure about putting brake fluid in there tho

The Lucas stuff is incredibly viscous - I wonder if it does more harm than good... I tried it, and at first it helped, but now the leak seems to have gotten worse again...

I would shy away from brake fluid, but I have heard that the additives actually work pretty well. I have heard this from people who have no time at all for engine oil additives or radiator coolant additives etc... it just happens that the power steering stuff is really not too bad.

In concept, there is no reason not to run slightly thicker fluid if that means it leaks less. It's a pretty simple system, with a specific viscosity not exactly mission-critical.

Of course in the long run actually replacing seals is going to be required, and personally I try to go for the genuine fix straight away, time and money permitting.

Anything you add to any oil system to try and patch a leak is going to cause more problems. Sure it seals the leak temporarily. But as most of these effectivly just swell the seals it also stuffs every seal and hose in the system. The brake fluid or other product doesnt know it should only attack the one leaking. It attacks every piece of rubber in there. So you either replace the one or 2 leaking seals now or ever single piece of rubber in the system later.

I am the last person to use quick/dodgy fixes, or any additives at all. However, I needed to slow down a couple of PAS leaks to get my landie through the rigorous WA rego inspection, as I didn't have the time or space to fix it at the time, and needed to get the 110 on the road so I could stop paying $$$ for a hire car.

If you must know, my PAS box is in very good condition overall and has absolutely no play, just a couple of worn seals. I added some LUCAS "power steering conditioner", which satisfied the guys at the pits, but the seals will be replaced ASAP.

Btw - this stuff makes a lot of ridiculous claims - like "fixes worn rack and pinions" - I am surprised they haven't been done for false advertising.