Hey guys, I've done a search and can't find what I'm looking for.

For starters, my car is a '97 KF if it matters.

Here's the problem:
A few weeks ago as I was driving I noticed the steering making a groaning sort of sound, mainly at lower speed and when the steering was closer to full lock (but not full lock). As well as this, I could feel the vibrations through the steering wheel as the sound was produced. Thought it was strange, and checked the power steering fluid level and it was a bit down so I topped her back up. Now this week the problem has started again, and I checked the level, and it was drained again. I have no idea where this oil could be going now, as there are no oil leaks under the car, and surely that much oil to go missing would drip somewhere on the ground below the car!?

So now, its stopped making the groaning sound for now, but I imagine it will be back soon. Does anyone know where I should start looking to solve my problem?

Thanks in advance,
Matt.

the oil may be leaking into the racks boots
degrease the areas and wash down ..then wait and see
the other area is the pump seal itself
or the pressure hoses

Its not a problem. If the level gets too low air gets mixed in with the oil and you will get pump noises and groaning. When you top up it appears the level is dropping but all it is, is the air coming out of the system. Once there is air in the system it is in there for a while, but the noises will fade and the level will eventually stabilise. Also check the condition and tension of the power steering belt, as this can also groan and cause shuddering when it slips. Replace the belt if in doubt. The problem is easily avoided by checking the level often. The older the system gets, the more leaks you get, mainly at the steering rack where the steering column connects, so it does need topping up occasionally..

the oil may be leaking into the racks boots
degrease the areas and wash down ..then wait and see
the other area is the pump seal itself
or the pressure hoses
Cheers for that, I may have a look at that :)


Its not a problem. If the level gets too low air gets mixed in with the oil and you will get pump noises and groaning. When you top up it appears the level is dropping but all it is, is the air coming out of the system. Once there is air in the system it is in there for a while, but the noises will fade and the level will eventually stabilise. Also check the condition and tension of the power steering belt, as this can also groan and cause shuddering when it slips. Replace the belt if in doubt. The problem is easily avoided by checking the level often. The older the system gets, the more leaks you get, mainly at the steering rack where the steering column connects, so it does need topping up occasionally..
OK that actually sounds logical... does anyone know how much oil it takes to fill, cos I've put about a litre in within the last 3 weeks. It may have just been run dry by the previous owner, and seeing as I've done a lot of driving in the past month it's just been made obvious.

Thats a lot! Better check for leaks . . . . . It would only leak when the engine is running. Perhaps park in a dry spot, then start the engine and move the wheels from one lock to the other, then check for puddles under the car?

TS power steering capacity from dry = 800 ml. KF would be similar.

Thats a lot! Better check for leaks . . . . . It would only leak when the engine is running. Perhaps park in a dry spot, then start the engine and move the wheels from one lock to the other, then check for puddles under the car?

TS power steering capacity from dry = 800 ml. KF would be similar.

Cheers mate, I will try that today and post my results :) The first time I checked it there was no fluid on the dipstick at all, so it MAY have been very close to completely empty, hence needing nearly 1L..... maybe I'm just being hopeful too lol.

Revisiting this thread, the leaks gotten a bit worse recently, but anyway I want to fix it very soon.

I can not locate 100% where the leak is coming from though.


I have a feeling it may be this part but I don't exactly know what it's called so I took a photo.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a126/BlazingMatt/IMG00078.jpg

It looks like it might be a bit of a bitch to swap over, I looked from above and could not find any fluid leaking from any of the lines. The only drips I see are coming from this part. In the pic you can see a gold coloured piece - that is where I can see the drip coming from behind there.

So could this be the culprit??

Cheers.