Have to add Power Steering fluid weekly

[M***@none.none]

1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.

For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.

Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.

Where the hell is the fluid going?

I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....

Marty

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by M***@none.none
1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.
For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.
Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.
Where the hell is the fluid going?
I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....
Marty

Have you checked the piston seals? That is about the only thing left.

[M***@none.none]

Post by Ed Pawlowski

Post by M***@none.none
1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.
For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.
Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.
Where the hell is the fluid going?
I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....
Marty

Have you checked the piston seals? That is about the only thing left.

What????? Where?????

Piston seals????? I know there are pistons in my engine, but where are
they in the power steering? You lost me...

Marty

[Paul in Houston TX]

Post by M***@none.none
1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.
For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.
Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.
Where the hell is the fluid going?
I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....
Marty

There are only two items left: low pressure hose and steering gear.
Low pressure hose would be cheaper to replace than the steering gear.

[Steve W.]

Post by Paul in Houston TX

Post by M***@none.none
1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.
For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.
Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.
Where the hell is the fluid going?
I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....
Marty

There are only two items left: low pressure hose and steering gear.
Low pressure hose would be cheaper to replace than the steering gear.

If this one has the typical return line cooler that is in the frame rail
the leak is likely inside the rail. I just replace those with a common
trans cooler, no pressure on the return line so any cooler works.

[M***@none.none]

Post by Steve W.

Post by Paul in Houston TX

Post by M***@none.none
1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.
For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.
Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.
Where the hell is the fluid going?
I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....
Marty

There are only two items left: low pressure hose and steering gear.
Low pressure hose would be cheaper to replace than the steering gear.

If this one has the typical return line cooler that is in the frame rail
the leak is likely inside the rail. I just replace those with a common
trans cooler, no pressure on the return line so any cooler works.

I think you're right. The frame (rail) is all covered with oil. Because
the weather is very cold, I am not going to be able to properly fix this
until the weather gets warmer. I wonder if it would be safe to just put
a piece of hose in there for now. I'm sure it wont overheat this time of
year.

For future info (when its warmer), how does that cooler attach to the
rail, and is it hard to remove and replace? Does the bumper have to come
off, or is there room to slide it out? From looking on ebay and at the
parts stores, a trans cooler costs more than just getting the proper
replacement line with cooler. But it all depends on the amount of work
needed to repair it.

By the way, there is a plastic cover (shroud) around the steering shaft,
and that cover is fitted around the fitting of this line, where it
enters the steerng gear box. Because of this, there is no way to get a
wrench on that fitting. How the heck do I move or remove that plastic
cover to get that fitting loose?

Thanks

[Steve W.]

Post by M***@none.none

Post by Steve W.

Post by Paul in Houston TX

Post by M***@none.none
1995 Chevy pickup truck, K-2500 4WD with 350 engine, manual trans.
For over a year now, I have to add power steering fluid weekly. But I
can not see where it's going. I replaced the high pressure hose, which
was very slightly seeping fluid by the crimp on the hose. I thought that
would fix the problem, but it didn't. I then replaced the P.S Pump with
a rebuilt. For some reason that rebuilt pump failed within a few weeks,
with an internal broken shaft. I then replaced it with a NEW pump.
Guess what, it's still losing fluid weekly. I have carefully checked the
low pressure hose. There are no leaks, or I would have replaced it by
now.
Where the hell is the fluid going?
I removed that plastic panel under the radiator and left it off for
months now, hoping I'd see a puddle of fluid. I see no leaks at all....
This has me very frustrated by now....
Marty

There are only two items left: low pressure hose and steering gear.
Low pressure hose would be cheaper to replace than the steering gear.

If this one has the typical return line cooler that is in the frame rail
the leak is likely inside the rail. I just replace those with a common
trans cooler, no pressure on the return line so any cooler works.

I think you're right. The frame (rail) is all covered with oil. Because
the weather is very cold, I am not going to be able to properly fix this
until the weather gets warmer. I wonder if it would be safe to just put
a piece of hose in there for now. I'm sure it wont overheat this time of
year.
For future info (when its warmer), how does that cooler attach to the
rail, and is it hard to remove and replace? Does the bumper have to come
off, or is there room to slide it out? From looking on ebay and at the
parts stores, a trans cooler costs more than just getting the proper
replacement line with cooler. But it all depends on the amount of work
needed to repair it.
By the way, there is a plastic cover (shroud) around the steering shaft,
and that cover is fitted around the fitting of this line, where it
enters the steerng gear box. Because of this, there is no way to get a
wrench on that fitting. How the heck do I move or remove that plastic
cover to get that fitting loose?
Thanks

You can put a chunk of hose on it and not worry.

The OEM light duty cooler slides into the frame and has a bolt that
holds it in place.
I don't replace that style with the same thing because by the time I get
the rusted parts out, get the replacement in and refilled I can install
the HD cooler up front, remove the lines and switch over and be setting
back with a beer, and as a bonus I don't need to put the truck in the
air, I can hit the old lines with a chisel from on top and lop them off.

Take a look at the "optional" cooler that GM used on the 8,600 gvw or
the 7.4 liter. It's usually the same price as the tube style cooler you
have and it's a better unit. You have to remove the grille to install it
but you can do that without even jacking the truck up.

The HD cooler looks and mounts like the one in this vid. But the older
trucks have a bit easier access to the hose run.