Power Steering Leak - Advice Gratefully Received
Power Steering Leak - Advice Gratefully Received
Author
Discussion

johnthegas

Original Poster:

83 posts

200 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
I appear to have sprung a leak from the power steering pump, I was wondering if it's a specialist repair job, or if anyone knows if I can get a seal kit, or a reconditioned pump?
Any thoughts / advice would be gratefully received
John.

redwedge5

583 posts

291 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
There are two different power steering pumps used on wedges. The earlier system has a separate fluid reservoir and is I think landrover/rangerover based. The later system has the pump with the integral fluid reservoir and is Rover SD1 based. Rover parts specialists eg Rimmer Bros should be able to supply the latter. I've no idea if these Pumps can be reconditioned.

Wedg1e

27,040 posts

295 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
If it's the type with the integral reservoir, the pump assembly is held into the body by only one bolt if I remember correctly. Once you undo the bolt and push the pump out of the front of the reservoir, you'll find an O-ring around the pump... that's about the only place it's feasible for the thing to leak. Apart from the hose connectors, that is. The high-pressure line is a banjo bolt with Dowty seals but the low-pressure return is just a length of rubber (or plastic) hose pushed onto a pipe stub and secured with a Jubilee clip. I must have had half a dozen Jubilees on mine to try and stop it weeping , before I finally used a proper crimped fitting (pain in the parts for servicing mind) and the pump has been dry ever since.

Now the steering rack itself... ragebangheadrantingsmash

Of course if it's the separate pump and reservoir installation... I have no idea rolleyes

GV

2,366 posts

254 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
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How do you drain the pump - my fluid's been in there years?

johnthegas

Original Poster:

83 posts

200 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks guys, I now know it's the latter type and I'll be going in for a poke around next weekend. I was pleasantly suprised to find out that a new pump is about £80 and a seal kit £12.
One last question - how critical is it to use a certain brand / batch of oil? Can you let me know what you use?

redwedge5

583 posts

291 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
johnthegas said:
Thanks guys, I now know it's the latter type and I'll be going in for a poke around next weekend. I was pleasantly suprised to find out that a new pump is about £80 and a seal kit £12.
One last question - how critical is it to use a certain brand / batch of oil? Can you let me know what you use?
YHM

simboy1973

526 posts

207 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
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Hi There, sadly my pump was leaking lastyear.. I replaced the pump, nice straight forward job...
My pump is the same as a Range Rover... I just got power steering fluid from a local motor supplies... It does one car it does them all...

combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
My resovoir is separate from the pump but its one of the last wedges made , '91 ! Does that mean Tvr fitted early systems to later wedges and viceversa ?

redwedge5

583 posts

291 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
combine said:
My resovoir is separate from the pump but its one of the last wedges made , '91 ! Does that mean Tvr fitted early systems to later wedges and viceversa ?
Does your SEAC have airconditioning? If it does, it may be the later SD1 power steering pump won't fit - just a thought.

combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
redwedge5 said:
combine said:
My resovoir is separate from the pump but its one of the last wedges made , '91 ! Does that mean Tvr fitted early systems to later wedges and viceversa ?
Does your SEAC have airconditioning? If it does, it may be the later SD1 power steering pump won't fit - just a thought.
Yes , it did before I took it off , that makes sense now , cheers .

Wedg1e

27,040 posts

295 months

Sunday 14th March 2010
quotequote all
Just for reference, the Hoburn-Eaton pump used on the SD1 is similar to the pump used on various other BL heaps of that era (Montego etc.) however the SD1's has a longer filler neck. The short-neck version should work just as well though of course it holds less fluid!

350zwelgje

1,820 posts

291 months

Monday 15th March 2010
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GV said:
How do you drain the pump - my fluid's been in there years?
By disconnecting off one of the connections to the pump ....

Rob


adam quantrill

11,679 posts

272 months

Tuesday 16th March 2010
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You can also turn the pump by hand to pump out the remaining fluid - I just did this job on the jeep. Finally get some compressed air (tyre compressor or pump) and pump it down the tube to the rack to collect the gunk out of there - I found some water lurking in the oil. It will take a couple of runs to bleed and settle down but it's worth it.