Know the symptoms and you’re on your way to a quick, effective and easy solution
Like any fluid under the hood, power steering fluid should be at the right level to function properly, prevent damage to the pump and other components, and maintain safe vehicle operation.
You can save big repair bills and stay safer on the road by knowing a few common symptoms of a power steering fluid leak:
- Noisy steering. If the power steering is making a lot of noise, especially when the vehicle is moving slowly, like in a parking lot, it’s time to check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir. Older cars are especially susceptible to ‘power steering squeal’ when the fluid level gets low. The noise can vary from an occasional chirp to a shrill or shriek, especially during low-speed maneuvers. Other times, it could be more of a dull whine when the steering wheel is turned extreme left or right.
- Difficult steering. Drivers might not notice much steering performance difference on the highway, but at lower speeds, they’ll have to put in a lot more effort to turn the steering wheel. As power steering systems lose fluid, they work less efficiently. Eventually, drivers will start to feel the difference on the steering wheel end, making it much harder to turn the wheel than it normally is. This is a sign that the fluid is getting low, which could signal a leak.
- Leaking fluid. It’s easy to ignore just a few drops of any kind of fluid under the car. If it’s not a puddle, most people don’t even think twice about it. But it’s important to investigate any fluid before it becomes a bigger issue. Wipe down the power steering reservoir and lines and look closely to determine if it’s coming from the power steering circuit or not.
Once it’s determined that a vehicle has a power steering fluid leak, it’s important that you take immediate action. A small leak can quickly become large enough to cause the pump to run dry and result in expensive damage. Moving quickly is key.
When treated early, the leak can be stopped easily and inexpensively with a proven chemical repair like our Bar’s Leaks One Seal Stop Leak (p/n 1334), Power Steering Repair (p/n 1600) or Power Steering Stop Leak Concentrate (p/n 1630).
Power steering fluid leaks sometimes evolve slowly over a long period and you may not notice the leak until it becomes a big problem. At the first sign of a leak, you should take action. Almost immediately, our proven solutions (we’ve sold hundreds of thousands of bottles) will stop the leak and prevent further issues, while extending the life of your power steering system.
Again, the key is taking action immediately after you notice a leak. Time is of the essence.
If you have questions about your leak or situation, hit us up on Facebook, or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you out.
