New UK Noble M12 owner, power steering leak.

[benscottparsons]

Hi everyone,

I have recently purchased a Noble M12 having got rid of my M3. Having plenty of fun in the car and looking forward to the summer. when i purchased the car it was knocking loudly on the near side, on investigation i found the shocker was shot and the upper ball joint. I made enquiries With a local dealership who informed me to have the shock serviced it would take two weeks and cost me £200. I made my own enquiries and went to Bilstein direct who serviced the shock for £60 and had it back to me within 3days. The car is now back on the road but I noticed the power steering was noisey, I found that the fluid level was low so topped it up. This morning when I went to the garage and noticed a pool of fluid on the floor next to the front end.

I understand that most parts come from ford, would anyone be able to tell me what car the power steering is from? I have seen on the fluid cap that it is a ford.

The car is also due its 24k service and i would like to change the air filters. Can anyone let me know the K&N part number or where i can obtain them, the local dealer is saying they would have to order them and it will cost approx £5o each plus postage.

Any other useful advice would be much appreciated

Merry Christmas

[mikes_3r]

There is a "distribution" block up front that the power steering fluid passes through. The 4 metal pipes going in have O-ring seals that can leak. Mine happened by "forcing" the steering on extreme lock (racing stuff). I had the revised turning radius but the steering bumps were a bit to short and allowed the pump pressure to spike as it maxed the rack not the stop. This in turn blew the O-ring. (10mm I think but check as it's been awhile)

Open the front clam and under the brake fluid container you should be able to see the block and pipes.

Good luck and Merry Christmas to you too.

Edited by mikes_3r on Thursday 21st December 14:52

[Ash M400]

Hope you did the other shocker at the same time.

Should ALWAY be done in pairs.

And welcome to the club.

[benscottparsons]

thanks guys, unfortunately i didn't get them done as a pair, thought the other side was good, but the noise from the near side was so loud i think it drowned out the off side, will get it done in the new year.
On whats been said think i have probably disturbed one of the o rings then when changing the shocker and ball joint.

[mikes_3r]

You can swap the ring yourself. Get a couple because improper seating can cut them. Be cautious and take your time because you do not want to split or fracture any of the pipes. THAT could become a nightmare.

[m12_nathan]

I had a pipe burst off (connector issue), obviously it had to be one of the pipes that runs from the engine bay to the front

[benscottparsons]

is it possible to get to the hoses from the top of the car?

[m12_nathan]

I had a large bill so I assume not - floor of the transmission tunnel had to come off I think.

[SFM]

I had this problem, crimped joint on one of the long hoses was weeping. New hose approx £245 + 3 hours labour fitting. On mine had to wait 3 days for hose to arrive from factory, then once fitted it was found to leak also, and so had to wait another 3 days for replacement.

[m12_nathan]

Better to catch it then than discover you had a problem whilst someone else is driving your car sideways on the lockstops and the hose bursts off covering the windscreen in steering fluid

[D_G]

If it's the pipe, don't buy one from the factory until you go to a specialist to see if they can make one. I've used Pirtek or Bristol Hose for PAS pipes in the past, available straight away and normally cheaper.

Cheers

Dave

[pbsaxman]

Local dealer doesn't sound too hot ! Whereabouts in the country are you??
Maybe one of the long serving guys can recommend an alternative to your current dealer.

[joolski]

You may want to check the small rad at the front of the car. It's like a small oil rad. Mine had a hairline split which leaked oil. It was a bugger to find.

--Jools

[benscottparsons]

live in the bristol area, will have a proper look in the morning.

[benscottparsons]

Just to let everyone know the leak was coming from the front rad, would never of found it without your help, cheers