power steering leak

[toadster]

when I took my car to Ken's for body fitting I think between loading the car onto the trailer and removing it from the trailed we lost about all the PS fluid, seems to be the high-pressure (lower port) fitting
I can't tell if it's the fitting on the rack, or the hose fitting connecting to that adapter - since it will be a week or so till I get my car back what should I prep?

From the FFR instructions:


Be careful with the Teflon seals, they are fragile and a one-time use part. Replacement seals can be found at any auto parts store, Dorman 82540 (https://amzn.to/44298sJ)
Attach the power steering AN to port fitting adapters to the steering rack. Tighten the adapter fittings to 27-34Nm (21-29 ft-lb).


I'm assuming I over-torqued the fittings? is there a magical way to measure the torque on these adapters? I can really only get a brake line wrench on those with the hose


also, the teflon seals -are they for the AN fitting to the rack? or between the AN fitting and the braided hoses? (sorry car not here to visualize)

[JohnK]

The first set of rack fittings that I purchased had teflon seals like the ones you describe. When I installed them they looked like they deformed beyond what I was comfortable with. I reached out to Maximum Motorsports (where I bought them) and described the issue and they sent me a new set of seals. The second set deformed the exact same way. I never tried them so don't know for certain if they would have leaked but I didn't like the looks of 'em. I replaced them with these (https://breezeautomotive.com/shop/adapter-fitting-kit-06an-for-87-93-mustang-power-steering-rack/) fittings from Breeze, which have an o-ring seal. They've been perfectly leak-free from day 1.

[toadster]

The first set of rack fittings that I purchased had teflon seals like the ones you describe. When I installed them they looked like they deformed beyond what I was comfortable with. I reached out to Maximum Motorsports (where I bought them) and described the issue and they sent me a new set of seals. The second set deformed the exact same way. I never tried them so don't know for certain if they would have leaked but I didn't like the looks of 'em. I replaced them with these (https://breezeautomotive.com/shop/adapter-fitting-kit-06an-for-87-93-mustang-power-steering-rack/) fittings from Breeze, which have an o-ring seal. They've been perfectly leak-free from day 1.

Thanks John, I'll have to check it out when I get access to the car again... I'm sure I have those Breeze fittings too as I overbought and have the Coyote PS kit from Mark not realizing the hoses came with the FFR Power Steering Kit...
thank you!

[Ted G]

Glad that your getting your car back from Ken doing the body fitting so soon!!!! Won't be long now. I know you did Coyote PS, but can you use all AN fittings? I have had good luck with the AN fittings.

Ted

[JohnK]

My guess is that the leak is at the fitting to the rack, which is where the teflon seals are. AN fittings don't typically have seals, the tapered surface of the AN fitting is the sealing surface. If it's leaking at an AN fitting, then another 1/8 turn or so should fix the leak. If it's leaking at the fitting to the rack, then the teflon seal is probably damaged.

[Cincy123]

Sometime it’s hard to tell where the leak is until you get it cleaned up and closely look at it. I had a similar experience and turned out to be a blown seal on the output shaft of the FFR supplied rack. Similar experience as others have posted They replaced the rack for free, it it fails again I will go with a different rack not from FF.

[toadster]

Sometime it’s hard to tell where the leak is until you get it cleaned up and closely look at it. I had a similar experience and turned out to be a blown seal on the output shaft of the FFR supplied rack. Similar experience as others have posted They replaced the rack for free, it it fails again I will go with a different rack not from FF.

good to know, will check - we had a very slow drip when sitting still, but when moving the rack it's a gusher! :)

[Ted G]

good to know, will check - we had a very slow drip when sitting still, but when moving the rack it's a gusher! :)

uh, that's what she said....... ;)