WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.govGood Maintenance Practices:
- Inspect power steering hoses regularly.
- Check power steering fluid levels periodically and add fluid when necessary.
- Have your vehicle inspected if it exhibits any of the following symptoms: unusual noise when turning the steering wheel, a shimmy or shake in the steering wheel, heavy or unresponsive steering at low speeds or during parking lot maneuvers, and/or the steering wheel does not properly return to center.
- If you live in areas that experience harsh, winter weather, have the entire steering system inspected before winter arrives to help ensure safer driving.
- It is a good idea to replace O-rings when doing any steering system service. Reusing old O-rings can cause leaks.
- Always check the specific manufacturer’s service information for the correct power steering fluid to use. Different fluids are specified by manufacturers to meet the operating requirements of their power steering systems.
- Keep in mind that fluid color is not an indication of fluid condition.
- After any service of the power steering system, always bleed the air from the system and verify proper system operation. An accurate fluid level cannot be obtained unless air is bled from the steering system. The air in the fluid may cause pump cavitation noise as well as pump damage over a period of time.
Signs of wear include but are not limited to:
- Difficulty steering and/or visible power steering fluid leakage indicates a sign of wear.
- Hose brittleness or hardness can be an early sign of internal wear.
- A soft, spongy hose is a more serious sign of wear that indicates advanced internal deterioration.
- External wear and abrasion can be caused by contact with the manifold or other engine parts. This issue may require hose replacement or realignment.
- Thick, sludgy fluid in the pump reservoir indicates internal hose wear and the need for a complete flush of the system.
- High temperature pulsations cause power steering hoses to deteriorate from the inside. The constant flexing and pressure surges result in the breaking off of small particles of hose, which are carried through the system and can lead to system malfunction.