Power Assisted Steering failure

[mik]

Hi All,

Hope someone here can help with this;

After taking the car for a spin this evening, a few minutes after pulling away, I heard a loud grinding/crunchy noise from the rear LHS of the car - pulled into a nearby garage and checked around the car, blipped the throttle a few times and the car dumped a quantity of hydraulic fluid onto the forecourt and I lost power assistance to the steering

Nursed the car very carefully back home and am now thinking about what to check for/what might need to be replaced ..

- probably replacing the power steering fluid would be a good idea but not if the system is damaged

- where do I locate & how to check the power steering servo?

- would a failed PAS servo just dump the hydraulic fluid like that?

- is this problem a DIY job or would I be better off taking the car to the OPC?

can anyone who has experienced a similar issue with the PAS on their 986 advise?

Many thanks!

mik

(car is a 2001 Boxster 2.7)

[juniinc]

If your 986 is leaking power steering fluid on the ground, the most likely cause is the Steering Rack. also power steering hose can eventually develop leaks.

Locate where it's leaking from first,,,,

The best way to locate the leak is to pour in a little bit of power steering fluid, start the engine, turn the steering wheel and then have a look underneath the car.

Edited January 25, 2009 by juniinc

[mik]

hi juniinc,

thanks for the reply :) will locate some Pentosin tomorrow and see if I can identify the source of the leak with the engine cover off .. hoping I haven't damaged the power steering pump <_<

btw do you know if the leaked hydraulic fluid will cause damage to plastic/rubber components in the engine bay (have read somewhere that it can cause failure of the polyrib belt if it gets on it ...)

tia,

mik

[juniinc]

hydraulic fluid MAY damage any painted finish or plastic parts it contacts

[mik]

Ok, leak found (had to put the car on a lift and take off underbody panels before running engine with topped-up fluid).

Anyway, fluid is spurting out the pump pressure line just before it meets the (brass?) threaded joint which connects to the forward pressure line to the steering gear.

So, replacement pressure line 986.347.443.13 ordered from the OPC, hopefully delivery by Friday

Has anyone here replaced this line before? It looks a bit tricky at the pump end so would really really appreciate if anyone who has done similar work on the PAS system could give some tips or advice ..

:renntech:

cheers,

mik