View Full Version : Problem with power steering line
So, I haven't posted in awhile. Back in November I was trying to finish the plumbing, and get all the fluids filled up in preparation of a first start. I added PS fluid to the stock Ford pump, and was continuing to finish the remainder of the connections. I was only able to get one small bottle, of a total of four, of Honda PS fluid into the system. This turned out to be a good thing. When I went back out the next day, I found all of the PS fluid that I had put in on the garage floor. I checked to see if I could find where it had leaked from, and it appears to be from the high pressure connection on the side of the pump reservoir.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49410407488_6ef6f72d8d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ihefHo)IMAG1339 (https://flic.kr/p/2ihefHo) by Rick Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156322842@N02/), on Flickr
I thought it might have just not been tight enough, so I snugged it down, and added another small bottle of the PS fluid. Came back out the next day, and sure enough the fluid was on the floor again. At that point I was pissed off enough to just walk away from the whole thing, got busy with my business, the holidays, etc., and just went out today to take the picture, so I could make this post.
Anyhow, I'm stumped as to what I might have done wrong. There's no doubt in my mind that it's something that I missed, or just plain screwed up, but I haven't a clue what it might have been. Can anyone give me an idea what it might have been. I can't get to a start with a leak like this. With virtually no fluid in the PS pump, and a high pressure fitting leaking with no pressure on it, I'll either burn up the pump, or spray any fluid that I may still have in the reservoir everywhere.
I'm so fed up at this point I've lost interest in working on it.
Thanks for any help.
rich grsc
01-19-2020, 06:18 PM
You photo doesn't show up. Why don't look to see where the leak is actually coming from, not waiting till the next day? It should be easy to see. My guess is it's the wrong fitting?
Jacob McCrea
01-19-2020, 06:32 PM
I have the same (OEM 5.0) pump, converted to 6AN on the pressure side with a fitting from Breeze. I seem to remember the fitting that converts the supply side to 6AN having some O-rings, or maybe some Teflon washer, or maybe both. I would get to the bottom of whether any of those things, to the extent they exist, are missing or damaged.
Rich, I don't understand why the picture isn't showing for you. The fluid is just slowly seeping out. I can tell where, I just don't understand why.
Jacob, I'm using Breezes hose and fittings, but I didn't get one for the fitting on the pump. I'll check with Mark on Monday or Tuesdzy to see if i forgot something.
Thanks guys.
rich grsc
01-20-2020, 09:51 AM
Leaking at the pump, or at the rack? I think the pump fitting is just pipe thread, I know the rack is uses an o-ring fitting.
It's just a question mark in a box for your picture, click on it and I get location not found.
I feel your pain. Based on my own PS leaks and what people suggested for me, here are some thoughts:
1. Using AN connectors? Are they all the same "angle"? There are two different shapes for AN connectors - 37 and 45 degrees (I think I got that right...)
2. Got anything stuck in your AN fitting? O-rings and washers don't go there.
3. Did you use teflon tape on the NPT fittings?
4. Any issues with the threads? Putting brass fittings into aluminum threads can cause problems.
5. Everything tight enough? (I know that sounds ridiculous, but sometimes we think we'll go back later and tighten everything only to forget...)
Hope this helps.
Rich, it's leaking at the pump, the high pressure fitting on the lower side of the reservoir. If that fitting is NPT thread, that may be the problem, because I believe the hose end is -AN. I really don't know why you can't get the picture to come up. I made sure it did when I originally posted, and it shows on my computer when I bring up this thread.
Al, I am using AN connectors, but one is on what may be an NPT thread. Don't believe there's anything stuck in the fitting, no washers or O rings. No Teflon tape used. I tightened everything twice both before and once it started seeping fluid.
I think it may be an incompatibility of thread types at that location. I'm going to call Mark at Breeze, and see if I should have a fitting that converts from -AN to NPT.
Jeff Kleiner
01-20-2020, 02:00 PM
OEM Ford pump will use a 9/16-18 O-Ring to 06AN fitting (not pipe thread) at the extension which has the pressure relief valve and spring. Breeze has 'em. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN these O-Ring fittings at the pump and rack---doing so will cut &/or displace the ring resulting in a leak. Snug them only slightly more than hand tight to just compress the ring.
Jeff
Boydster
01-20-2020, 02:22 PM
I dont know the size, but here's a picture of the factory hose end. Sorry for the quality, grabbed it out of a video. Def needs an oring.
120935
This one is a replacement hose off LMR. Should have an oring on it. New hose comes with 2 orings.
120936
Hope this helps some.
rich grsc
01-20-2020, 06:00 PM
Make sure the seals are in place on the pressure fitting.
120974
Rich, it's leaking at the pump, the high pressure fitting on the lower side of the reservoir. If that fitting is NPT thread, that may be the problem, because I believe the hose end is -AN. I really don't know why you can't get the picture to come up. I made sure it did when I originally posted, and it shows on my computer when I bring up this thread.
Al, I am using AN connectors, but one is on what may be an NPT thread. Don't believe there's anything stuck in the fitting, no washers or O rings. No Teflon tape used. I tightened everything twice both before and once it started seeping fluid.
I think it may be an incompatibility of thread types at that location. I'm going to call Mark at Breeze, and see if I should have a fitting that converts from -AN to NPT.
Mark will sort it out. He helped me with my power steering. Based on your comments, I agree it is the incompatibility of thread types.
Thanks guys. I kind of figured that it had to be a thread difference that's causing the problem. I'll check with Mark, and hopefully figure this out.
Avalanche325
01-21-2020, 03:13 PM
You guy jinxed me!
I pulled my drivers side header off last night to fix an exhaust leak. The P/S high pressure fitting is dripping pretty bad. I couldn't remember what the fitting was like, so this thread is perfect timing. Looks like it's new o-rings for me.
Jryasko
01-21-2020, 10:10 PM
AN fittings are all 37 degree angle. 45 degree fittings are SAE
i.e.427
01-22-2020, 01:06 PM
I do things a bit differently when using the Mustang power rack and pump. I order the Mustang lines (both high pressure and lower) and take the hoses down to my local hose shop. There, they harvest the end tubes, discard the rubber hose, weld/braise on AN fittings to the tube ends and supply me with new braided lines fit to the car. Leak free since we started doing it this way. Mark's fitting (from Breeze) are a great solution, don't get me wrong. But if over tightened in the least bit, the o-ring deforms and the fitting leaks.
Avalanche, sorry about that! I hope you're able to figure this out as well.
Frank, I had all the lower fittings for the rack, and the hydroboost unit from when I purchased the rack. I'm not sure if I had the fitting for the pump itself, but it's a moot point. If the fitting was over tightened, can it be loosened and re tightened to correct it, or will it require a new fitting? I'm also concerned now about the fittings on the rack. If I did over tighten, these are going to leak as well when the system gets pressurized.
Jeff Kleiner
01-22-2020, 02:24 PM
...If the fitting was over tightened, can it be loosened and re tightened to correct it, or will it require a new fitting? ...
It will require a new "O" ring. As I cautioned a few replies ago---just snug, little more than hand tight. If you bear a$$ down on them you'll cut &/or displace the ring and almost guarantee a leak. Once you have them properly installed they're good for the long haul; I have cars out there with 12+years and tens of thousands of leak free miles.
Jeff
Thanks Jeff. I think I read where you had responded to someone else on a PS issue thread as well. Unfortunately for me, I had already possibly created my problem. I'll get the fitting removed, and replace the O ring. On the rack, I'm using the original fittings with the Teflon rings that came with it when I purchased the rack, (used). If I tightened these down too tight, once I get this thing started and pressure is in the PS system, am I likely to see leaks at these fittings as well?