Had a slow power steering fluid leak in daughters car for about 18 months. About 100ml in 10,000km(which is about the frequency I see the car)

it suddenly got worse. 200ml in 3000km. Got car here and noticed it is definitely on drivers side at rack (RHD car so opposite side to reservoir/pump)

did a degrease and after 5 minutes running with steering going lock to lock (car on hoist) see a small drip where the pipes enter rack from pump etc.

put in new o rings on the pipe fittings. Filled fluid. Got daughter to go lock to lock (engine off) 10 times (air bubbles seemed to stop after about 7 times)

topped fluid. Started car. Did lock to lock about 10 times again. No fluid drop

feeling pretty good. Went for test drive. About 2km pulled over on level ground. Turned engine off. Check level. Level unchanged. Yay. Feeling positive.

did U turn. Headed home. About 400m later pump went noisy. Pulled over (unfortunately on long grass so could not really see much). I could see the pipe entry to rack (repair) and it was dry. So topped up reservoir thinking it is a bit weird. Maybe something with air escaping. probably 350ml.

took car the 1600m to home and pulled into workshop. Notice leak under (bugger-to put in Australian). Then went back and forward quickly so I can line up to hoist (10m). It was dropping fluid like crazy. Pump started to rattle just as I turned it off

put car on hoist. Cannot see obvious leak. But fluid everywhere from being sprayed from rack rhs. Pipe entry still looks good. Topped reservoir. Start car. Daughter in car going lock to lock. Still can’t see anything obvious.

did a quick degrease. Note a very minor possible leak from steering column shaft seal (but nothing like the “catastrophic” drop of fluid that occurred.

I can only think that I did something either when I replaced o rings (unlikely) or in the refill/bleed.

is an unsatisfactory bleed likely to damage the top seal (where steering column enters?)

really sorry about long thread

i do have a rack off a low km (100,000km) 2009 car but still unsure on next step to take.

when I put in fluid after the “catastrophic “ drop of fluid I did have quite large bubbles of air compared to first bleed

 

Whenever there is a leak in the P/S, air enters the entire system. If the bleed is not done correctly, there is a great possibility that the reservoir pressure screen could be damaged, see cut-away.

When bleeding, do not stop turning the steering wheel. Go further turns to make sure.

 

Many thanks. Pretty well bled as instructions. After about 7 turns the bubbles stopped so went another 3.

Could you please give the instructions for removing rack.

it could be the huge fluid loss may have been the original cause of leak. Possibly top seal on rack where column enters

 

Here it is.

 

Many thanks Maj
much appreciated