How to Check and Top Up Power Steering Fluid If the problem is diagnosed and dealt with quickly, it could be much easier and cheaper to repair. Since most leaks are caused by gradual degradation and the corrosion of internal parts, replacing components like seals and pumps may be needed to seal the system and ensure it’s working optimally.Īs soon as you notice a problem with your car’s steering and handling, book it in to get checked at a garage right away. If you’ve noticed a leak in your power steering system, in most cases a repair will be required to fix the problem at the source. What to Do if You Find a Power Steering Leak Also never ignore a problem that concerns how your car handles, as power steering fluid leaks can cause dangerous variance in steering performance if left untreated.

Dried and cracked seals in the system lose their flexibility, leading to degradation and corrosionĪs mentioned earlier, power steering fluid leaks can be tricky to identify and diagnose, so our advice would always be to seek professional help as soon as you notice a problem with your car’s steering.

Wear and tear in power steering rack, particularly the shaft ends and seals.

Excessive pressure in power steering system caused by an overfilled reservoir, which could result in blown seals.

Cracked, perished or loose power steering fluid hose.

While we’d always recommend taking your car to a professional if you suspect a leaky power steering system, it’s good to know the potential problems which include: If your handling issue does turn out to be a power steering fluid leak, there are a number of possible causes.

Droplets of fluid below the engine on the floor.

Low power steering fluid level on the reservoir.

A ‘check power steering’ warning light on the dashboard.

Stiffness in the steering wheel that may come and go.

Grinding or whining noise when turning the wheel.

High-pitched noise when turning your car’s ignition on.But since lots of problems can impact steering performance – including faults with the suspension, brakes and tyres – you need to know what the signs of a power steering fluid leak are so you can diagnose the issue properly.īelow we look at some of the typical symptoms of a power steering fluid leak:

If you’ve noticed a change in how your car handles, a power steering fluid leak could be to blame. Should fluid escape and the problem go undetected, increased friction within the system could result in long-term damage and premature wear. 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.Īs well as aiding handling, power steering fluid also lubricates and maintains internal components within the steering system. The result is light, responsive handling that requires little to no effort from the driver. 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. How to Check and Top Up Power Steering Fluid.What to Do if You Find a Power Steering Leak.Use the links below to find the help you need or read on for the full guide. We’ve covered everything you need to know about power steering fluid, including the signs of a leak and how to check and top up your power steering fluid reservoir should you need to. 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. They can also be difficult to spot and diagnose. But when leaks do occur they normally start small before getting worse. The good news is power steering leaks aren’t all that common, particularly on newer, modern cars. So if it leaks it’s bad news for your car, your driving experience and your wallet. Power steering fluid has an important role to play in maintaining safe handling while making sure your car is easy to manoeuvre at low speed.

Power steering fluid leak