Menu toggle

Stumped! - Front End Leak

M

Mears

New member
Help! I have some sort of oily leak all over the lower end of my front struts, tie rods, wishbone (trunion) edges and around the 2 central rear nuts securing the (brake servo and rack) undertray. Slightly more on driver's side and also possibly up the oil cooler tubes before they pass into the front vent area. Surely a steering rack leak, especially as the reservoir is on the minimum? BUT I cannot see any sign of it when I remove the undertray, even with the engine running. The rack is bone dry apart from a tiny dampness at the bottom breather(?) plug and nothing around the bellows each side. The inside of the undertray itself is bone dry apart from the extremities and the rear fixing dimples. Perhaps racks only leak on full lock? The oil cooler tubes look suspiciously corroded in the wheel arch but no visible signs idling with a hot engine. Car has recently passed its post-Winter MOT so I think this has appeared very suddenly or they'd have failed it on apparent front strut leaks or perhaps steering rack faults.
Any advice or experience welcome please as I'm keen not to start potentially very expensive repairs until I am sure what it is! [:(]
 
If your steering pump reservoir is low that seems more likely to be the cause. When my rack started leaking about two years ago it would only leak when near full lock and under pressure - really showed up on a track day! It would leak from the bellows at each end but I think the tray had fluid in it as well.

Regards
Anton
 
I think you've kind of answered your own question when you say that the steering pump reservoir is on minimum - I guess if you want to confirm it you should top it up to a defined level and mark it - clean off the areas where it has been leaking and then drive it for a while and then check the level afterwards...not sure how long you'd need to drive it for? It may only need a short drive or could be over the course of a week period - but it should hopefully confirm what you already suspect and at least that way you'll not be potentially wasting time/money changing the wrong item.

Hope you get it sorted.
 
Thanks both. Interesting. I can certainly believe that the rack only leaks under high dynamic load/full lock but you'd think the exit point would show some kind of evidence! Yes an extended test will help because right now for all I know, the reservoir could have been on minimum for the last 3 years and have nothing to do with this (OK, OK clearly it should be in my regular checking regime despite annual OPC servicing!). I don't want to test for too long though or it will be on the brake pads and disks next! Brake fluid used to be a good paint stripper too but I'm not sure about this synthetic Pentosin fluid Porsche use. News of others' experiences still welcome!
 
I agree - probably steering rack seal failure. Squeeze the rack gaiters and see if fluid in there, should be virtually dry. Can you check the colour of the fluid with a clean white rag to be sure. Happened to me 6 years ago - removed rack and sent it to Western Power Steering who reconditioned it for £199. OPC wanted £1k + fitting so saved a lot doing it myself.
Been perfect ever since.
 
Thanks. Once I've topped up the reservoir I'll test further and see. It's been hard to judge the colour of the leaking oil but I did once get a smudge of green on the back of my hand which made me wonder still about the ATF cooler lines (sorry not oil lines as above). I'm also suspicious of the supply/return hoses rather than the rack itself as poking about with the gaiters so far has revealed nothing. That said, surely only the rack could so comprehensively coat both struts at the same time.
 
Well well - it's the suspension struts not (I hope) the steering rack. Squeezing the rack bellows felt completely dry but the NS strut started pumping out copious oil after a 10 mile run. Presumably the gas pushes it out once it all warms up. OS not so bad but staggeringly even timing given the recent MOT. I think they are the original dampers so not bad at 76k miles, although I guess I'll have to change all 4, re-align etc which will be fairly astronomical no doubt. At least the power steering is topped up though now [;)]
 
Well there's a surprise. Glad you got to the bottom of it and I hope the repair's not too expensive.

Regards
Anton
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top