Power steering fluid has an important role to play in maintaining safe handling while making sure your car is easy to maneuver at low speed. So if it leaks it’s bad news for your car, your driving experience and your wallet.
The good news is power steering leaks aren’t all that common, particularly on newer, modern cars. But when leaks do occur they normally start small before getting worse. They can also be difficult to spot and diagnose.
If you suspect a power steering leak could be behind recent handling problems, our guide can help you spot the problem and work out the most likely cause.
Knowing the causes, signs, and how to respond to leaks is essential. This guide is designed to help you identify, understand, and address steering fluid leaks before they become a major issue.
What Does Power Steering Fluid Do?
Power steering fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid that’s used to transfer energy from the steering wheel to the wheels.
It essentially forms a hydraulic link between different parts of the steering system, with the purpose being to make it easier to turn the wheels – particularly during low-speed manoeuvres.
If you’ve ever driven a car without power steering, you’ll know how much work is required to get the wheels turning at low speed. To compensate for this, power steering fluid creates hydraulic pressure within the steering system, ensuring that components like the gears and pumps continue to work smoothly and easily, even when the wheels aren’t turning at a fast speed.
The result is light, responsive handling that requires little to no effort from the driver. Indeed since power steering was first introduced, it’s become an indispensable system on all modern cars and larger vehicles, making steering much easier to manage in all driving conditions.
As well as aiding handling, power steering fluid also lubricates and maintains internal components within the steering system. Should fluid escape and the problem go undetected, increased friction within the system could result in long-term damage and premature wear.
Why Is My Power Steering Fluid Leaking?
Like the other systems in your vehicle, the power steering system simply ages and degrades over time.
As you put more miles on your vehicle, the O-rings and seals in the power steering system lose flexibility, and tiny bits of the seals end up in the fluid. It’s also common for the supply and pressure hoses to develop holes as they age.
If any of these components begin to fail, a leak can begin to develop, and you may see that telltale fluid on your driveway or garage floor. It could also be your power steering pump leaking. Regardless of the cause, a power steering fluid leak requires professional attention right away.
Symptoms Of Power Steering Fluid Leak
Along with the probable causes mentioned above, you should also familiarize yourself with the following power steering fluid leak symptoms.
Fluid On the Floor
If you look at your garage floor or driveway, and you see red or pink drops underneath your engine, then that is a sure sign that you have leaking steering fluid.
This fluid takes time to accumulate, so you are likely to find it after the car has been sitting awhile, usually after a day or so. Thus, you should check underneath your car for this fluid daily.
Ignition Noise
One other sign to watch or listen for is the squealing noise that is coming from the steering pump when you first turn on your ignition. Plus, an alert light might accompany the noise.
Grinding Or Whining Noise
Another noise that also indicates a power steering leak is a loud grinding or whining that occurs when you turn your steering wheel. This type of noise comes from friction, whereas power steering fluid prevents this by providing lubrication.
Decreased Steering Performance
The most unnerving sign occurs when suddenly, you must struggle to turn your wheel. Normally, the steering wheel maneuvers easily when you turn it because of the lubrication from the power steering fluid.
On the other hand, if you have an extremely stiff steering wheel, this is not only dangerous but also a sign of a steering fluid leak.
Common Causes of Steering Fluid Leaks
Several components within the power steering system could be the root cause of a leak. The most common culprits include:
- Cracked or damaged hoses – Power steering hoses are subject to high pressure. Over time, this pressure can cause them to become brittle and crack.
- Faulty power steering pump – Seals within the pump can deteriorate, causing fluid to escape.
- Leaking rack and pinion or steering gear – The steering gear or rack and pinion is where the majority of hydraulic force in the system is applied for turning the wheels. Any seals that leak are cause for replacement.
- Loose or damaged fittings or connections – Regular vibration and use can cause the fittings and connections in the power steering system to become loose or damaged. These issues commonly lead to leaks.
Identifying which of these components is the source of your steering fluid leak isn’t always simple, but recognizing the symptoms and taking the time to inspect the system will help you diagnose the issue.
Can My Power Steering Stop Leak on Its Own?
Once your power steering system begins to leak fluid, the problem won’t stop until it’s repaired. And while a vehicle can technically still operate with a power steering fluid leak, it’s risky for you, other drivers, and the health of your vehicle.
As your system runs dry of fluid, you’ll notice that your turns are not as smooth and the vehicle is veering wider than you expect. Meanwhile, inside your vehicle, heat and internal friction will increase which has the potential to cause greater and more costly damage.
So as soon as you notice a leak, the best course of action is to visit your technician immediately. While the repair may cost a few hundred dollars, it’s worth it to ensure your family’s safety and the safety of others on the road.
Average Repair Costs for Power Steering System Leaks
There are 6 main components of a hydraulic power steering system. They include:
- Power steering pump assembly
- Power steering reservoir tank
- High pressure hydraulic hose
- Power steering fluid return hose
- Steering rack and pinion assembly
- Power steering fluid
Because of this, there are many possible areas for a leak to occur. The leak could come from the pump, reservoir tank, high pressure hose, return hose or rack and pinion assembly.
To know from which area the leak come from, you can get under your vehicle to try to pinpoint the leaking area or simply have a professional find the leak. Below are estimated costs to repair or replace the leaking area of your power steering system.
Power Steering Pump Repair Cost
The average cost to repair a power steering pump is somewhere between $200 and $350.
To replace the power steering pump with a new part, it will cost between $400 and $800 (depending on car model and what shop you take it to).
Power Steering Reservoir Tank Replacement Cost
A power steering reservoir tank leak commonly comes from the cap and hose connector. But sometimes, a clog from the filter of the reservoir tank can cause a spill or noise especially while turning.
The average cost to replace a power steering reservoir tank is somewhere between $150 to $250 depending on the vehicle and how hard it is to access the reservoir.
Power Steering Hose Replacement Cost
Power steering hoses are typically made of rubber and they carry the power steering fluid to the rack and pinion of the power steering system. Unfortunately, these rubber hoses tend to crack after a while which causes the fluid they carry to leak.
The actual repair job will likely consist of replacing the power steering high pressure hose or power steering return hose because of the crack it has that leaks fluid.
The cost to replace with new hoses will likely be between $100 and $300 for parts, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. The labor costs for the replacement will be between $80 and $160.
The labor costs depend on the hourly labor rate that the mechanic charges. Most mechanics charge $80 to $120 per hour and a power steering hose replacement service should take about an hour to perform. Therefore, the replacement cost will be between $180 and $460.
Power Steering Hose Repair Cost
If you want a cheaper and temporary alternative to replacing the hose, or if you’re out of town and need an emergency repair, you can fix the hose yourself. All you need is to find a local auto parts store and purchase a male-to-male brass coupler, 2 hose clamps, and something to cut the hose with.
Find the portion of hose which has the leak and cut off the section that’s bad. Insert the coupler inside each hose in the spot you cut out the bad hose and tighten each side via a hose clamp.
This temporary solution should cost you less than $10 and allows you to get back on the road. You’ll eventually want to completely replace the hose since its condition has deteriorated enough where it will likely develop other leaks.
Power Steering Rack and Pinion Repair Cost
The average cost to repair a leak on a rack and pinion assembly will most likely fall somewhere between $500 to $1,200. This is a lot more expensive than other parts of the power steering system since you need to completely overhaul the steering rack and pinion.
This consists of replacing all O rings and replace all oil seals inside the steering rack, and also include a front wheel alignment.
You will most often be better off replacing the rack and pinion and the price difference is quite similar.
Recap: How Much Does A Power Steering Leak Repair Cost?
The average power steering fluid leak costs between $500 and $650 to repair. The exact price will depend on the specific parts that are failing. You may need to replace only a single component, or the entire system.
Here are a few common power steering repair cost breakdowns. (Keep in mind that your repair will usually require both parts and labor):
- Total power steering system replacement: $500-$650
- Hose replacement: $60-$150
- Power steering pump leaking repair: $200-$220
- Power steering line leak: $60 to $150
- Pressure valve replacement: About $10
- Labor: $40-$200 per hour
Of course, the power steering leak fix may also be as simple as pouring a low-cost additive into the fluid reservoir. These products, often called power steering stop leak additives, can fix the issue without mechanical repairs.