Losing Power Steering Fluid

[Mercury]

Hello!

So I'm losing power steering fluid. I filled it up yesterday and half has leaked out, there's a puddle on the ground under the Jeep. I'm trying to figure out where it's leaking, but the whole gear box is covered in fluid.

Would someone tell me where the likely leak locations are? The hoses seem fine, I don't see any leaks from the pump itself.

 

[GaTechTJ]

Either connections to gearbox or one of several seals in the gearbox itself if gearbox is covered in oil.

With a leak that fast, clean it off good & then check every 30 minutes or hour. You should be able to find it.

 

[alittleoff]

My new to me second '03 TJ, is doing the same thing. I plan on hitting with a pressure washer and keep an eye on where it is leaking from before I order parts for it. I suspect it's leaking from high pressure hose from the pump to the box. I did put a flare nut wrench on all the fittings and they were tight enough not to suspect that they were leaking.

 

[Mercury]

Either connections to gearbox or one of several seals in the gearbox itself if gearbox is covered in oil.

With a leak that fast, clean it off good & then check every 30 minutes or hour. You should be able to find it.


View attachment 614114

Thanks for the diagram!

I got the cover off and neither of the fittings for the two lines are leaking, the hoses aren't, so I'm guessing it's something inside the box.

My new to me second '03 TJ, is doing the same thing. I plan on hitting with a pressure washer and keep an eye on where it is leaking from before I order parts for it. I suspect it's leaking from high pressure hose from the pump to the box. I did put a flare nut wrench on all the fittings and they were tight enough not to suspect that they were leaking.

I had hoped it would be as simple as tightening those with a flare wrench, but it doesn't look like it's leaking at the fittings.

 

[DuckNut]

My new to me second '03 TJ, is doing the same thing. I plan on hitting with a pressure washer and keep an eye on where it is leaking from before I order parts for it. I suspect it's leaking from high pressure hose from the pump to the box. I did put a flare nut wrench on all the fittings and they were tight enough not to suspect that they were leaking.

After it is clean, you only need to run it a few minutes and turn the wheel stop to stop several times. Turn it off and you'll find it.

 

[KennethS]

Many times the shaft seals leak. Clean the fluid off using brake cleaner or similar, then look to see what gets wet after a short drive.

My bet is the input shaft seal.

 

[Mercury]

After it is clean, you only need to run it a few minutes and turn the wheel stop to stop several times. Turn it off and you'll find it.

Roger, I'll do that tomorrow.

Many times the shaft seals leak. Clean the fluid off using brake cleaner or similar, then look to see what gets wet after a short drive.

My bet is the input shaft seal.

How easy is that to replace?

 

[Mercury]

Okay, spent ten minutes with my lady turning the wheel stop to stop while I laid under the Jeep and not a drop leaked out. It also didn't leak out overnight like the night before. I have no idea what's different this time, the other night I filled it up after I parked and it all leaked out overnight.

 

[KennethS]

How easy is that to replace?

From the online videos I have watched, not easy.

 

[Mercury]

From the online videos I have watched, not easy.

Well, if it's just $50 to get a junkyard replacement I may just go that route.