comet909

85 GSL-SE stock minus air pump.

On my way to work I made a bit of a sharp turn and my steering felt stiff, like the car had stalled. Just last a moment and then it felt fine. A minute later as I was pulling in the parking lot it had the same feeling again. Like the power steering died.

Got out and sure enough it was leaking. Belt was still there.

When I came back out to check it I couldn't really tell where it was leaking from. Almost seems to be leaking from underneath the pump.

I started it and turned it right and left. It had power to it. (not stiff) Got out and looked and couldn't see a leak. Although it was whining when turning. Fluid was low but not empty.

Two questions. Should I be okay to drive it home if I top off the fluid. 25 minute drive mostly highway. I'd like to get it home obviously to avoid leaving it here.

When I was looking for the leak the hose from the pump back seemed fine. Where else should I look?

Thanks,

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

I think you will be fine to drive it home if you top it off, no problem. Finding the leak can be a bit of a challenge. I would clean the area well, go fo a short test drive and see where it appears. Look around the seal where the shaft comes out of the pump and all the hoses. Sometimes having a michanics mirror helps so you can look underneath everything.

comet909

So here's an update. Thought I'd get some opinions here.

Topped off the fluid and drove it home. Seems like it just loses power every once and a while. Drives fine but it gets pretty noisy and sometimes the steering feels stiff.

When I got home I tried like hell to find the leak and just couldn't find it. Cleaned everything. It seemed wettest on the underneath side. So I though maybe it was the high pressure line.

Started it up and put someone in the car to turn the wheel while I watched for leaks. I watched for a while and didn't really see anything. Finally I thought well maybe there not enough fluid to leak. So I pulled the cap and added a little. Then it started puking out the top with the cap on. All the while its making a lot of noise. This seems to make sense last time it had a major leak I noticed some fluid on the plug wires kind of a spray pattern. This seems like where the fluids been coming from. Gravity takes it from there and makes a mess everywhere below.

So It seems to be the pump right? Problem is a pump costs a forturne and you can barely even get one anywhere. Certainly not today.

Wife's car needs brakes. Other car needs an alternator and wheel bearing.

It's getting pretty cold so the seven will be getting garaged soon.

I'm thinking I'll take off the belt and drive it that way for a week or so until my other car is going. I've read about others doing this and I guess it won't be too bad. Just stiff steering. But I need the workout. I'll figure out my options later.

Thoughts?

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

Some people have just disconencted the lines from the pump and connected them together. They say it's not that hard to steer since PS was an option.