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So, I have a power steering leak coming from this area and was wondering if anyone had the same leak in the same area. Also wondering if there is a seal between the bolt?
There were at least two PS racks depending on what year and trim line you have, but that hole looks suspicious. The Mazda S4 and S5 parts listing does not show and gasket for that plug. Checkout the photos on this Ebay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/18562896124...sAAOSw~vhjVNAi
There is no seal there. That is a dust cover for the bottom pinion bolt (I don't know the real name, that's just what I call it). From the factory there is a small amount of RTV on the threads to prevent grease seeping out.
I would make extra sure it isn't coming from somewhere else, because steering fluid coming from there is a bad sign. The bottom bolt under that cover tightens against an unsealed ball-bearing, and on the other side of that should be only heavy grease for the rack/pinion teeth. If you are 100% sure that it's power steering fluid and it's coming from that dust cover, the fluid is leaking past the seals on the pinion (or the seal between the ATF and grease sides of the rack) and into the geared section of the rack.
If you aren't sure, you can confirm this by removing the driver's side tie-rod boot and turning the wheel to the left, then examining the grease. If it is really thick (like axle grease), all is well. If it is runny (like natural peanut butter), you have a problem.
If it IS coming from that cover but it's only grease, then you can remove the cover (24mm socket, impact helps because it's staked in), clean the threads, replace the RTV and re-install.
There were at least two PS racks depending on what year and trim line you have, but that hole looks suspicious. The Mazda S4 and S5 parts listing does not show and gasket for that plug. Checkout the photos on this Ebay link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/18562896124...sAAOSw~vhjVNAi
Mine is a 87 base with power steering
I’ll see if I can get a pic when it’s leaking on weekend.
There is no seal there. That is a dust cover for the bottom pinion bolt (I don't know the real name, that's just what I call it). From the factory there is a small amount of RTV on the threads to prevent grease seeping out.
I would make extra sure it isn't coming from somewhere else, because steering fluid coming from there is a bad sign. The bottom bolt under that cover tightens against an unsealed ball-bearing, and on the other side of that should be only heavy grease for the rack/pinion teeth. If you are 100% sure that it's power steering fluid and it's coming from that dust cover, the fluid is leaking past the seals on the pinion (or the seal between the ATF and grease sides of the rack) and into the geared section of the rack.
If you aren't sure, you can confirm this by removing the driver's side tie-rod boot and turning the wheel to the left, then examining the grease. If it is really thick (like axle grease), all is well. If it is runny (like natural peanut butter), you have a problem.
If it IS coming from that cover but it's only grease, then you can remove the cover (24mm socket, impact helps because it's staked in), clean the threads, replace the RTV and re-install.
I’ll re check again this weekend to see if there is any other signs where a leak can happen. But as far as I can tell when I go to check the PS fluid it’s clear that it’s leaking. But the top/side of my engine bay is dry and not caked with any sort of fluid besides a little oil when doing a oil change. The only thing that is soak to all hell is my top side driver side undertray.
It could be the fittings where the lines meet the rack, or also the rubber hose where it meets the steel crimp connections. Check both, because either is better than rebuilding / replacing a steering rack.
I'd recommend pulling the plug and putting some loctite 545 on the threads, you can get it off amazon and I use that stuff religiously at work for any threads that contact fluid of any kind, its not like red and blue loctite that keeps bolts from coming out, it's used to seal any bolts, plugs, or sensors to keep from leaking. Its not cheap, but works wonders and a little goes a long way. I mainly use it to seal hydraulic fittings on dump trucks, been using it for years
I'd recommend pulling the plug and putting some loctite 545 on the threads, you can get it off amazon and I use that stuff religiously at work for any threads that contact fluid of any kind, its not like red and blue loctite that keeps bolts from coming out, it's used to seal any bolts, plugs, or sensors to keep from leaking. Its not cheap, but works wonders and a little goes a long way. I mainly use it to seal hydraulic fittings on dump trucks, been using it for years
While that would work, the problem is that there shouldn't be any ATF in that part of the rack. Only grease.
So if grease is coming from that plug, the thread sealer may help OP. But grease doesn't normally creep very far like ATF does.
If ATF is coming from that plug (and as I said OP, confirm this before doing anything else) then OP has bigger problems. ATF shouldn't be behind there at all.
It could be the fittings where the lines meet the rack, or also the rubber hose where it meets the steel crimp connections. Check both, because either is better than rebuilding / replacing a steering rack.
Can confirm it’s coming from the boot and all the PS line are dry as day. With that concluded I’m assuming I’m going to have to get my PS rebuild…
Also I’m going to assume again that PS fluid was just leaking from the boot to that dust cover bolt. I mean it could be more than that but I’m just hoping at this point.
02-06-23, 07:25 PM
