Power Steering Fluid, Driver's side

[wormwood1978]

I noticed a considerable clear fluid leak this morning under my 2008 Trailblazer. 64K miles, with moderate undercarriage rust. Power steering fluid is low and best I can tell, the leak is not from the power steering pump area.

I think I identified the source of the leak as around what I think is the driver's side front, upper tie rod boot area, if that makes any sense. A little research on this site and others tells me I might be looking at rusted power steering lines or possibly a rack and pinion replacement.

I doubt this is a job I'm going to tackle myself. At least from my description and photos, can a few weigh in and tell me what might be looking at and what the approximate cost might be from an Indy shop?

 

[Mooseman]

Check on top of the driver's side shock tower and I'll bet it's rusted there. If it's the low pressure return line, you could fix this yourself with some rubber line and clamps or same sized compression fittings and brake line.

 

[wormwood1978]

Much appreciated at that suggestion. Definitely wetness from where the lines run under the rubber protection on the upper shock tower. Makes me wonder if this is where the source of my leak is rather than the tie rod boot area.

 

[xavierny25]

2008 Trailblazer. 64K miles, with moderate undercarriage rust.

An 08 with 64k with that amount of rust. Looks like it's time to do something about it before it doesn't make it to 100k.

 

[wormwood1978]

This past fall I fluid filmed the undercarriage and will continue to do fluid film each fall from here on out.

 

[Mooseman]

It's a well known failure location because of that stupid rubber isolator it runs through. Remove that rubber, fix the line, lean it all up and paint with Rustoleum to protect the other line.

 

[xavierny25]

I have no leaks but I'm going to take a look at that area before I leave work today. Might have to do some preventive maintenance if I see an issue. Thanks @Mooseman

 

[Sparky]

Makes me wonder how my 02 made it until this past year to spring a leak there...

Probably the low pressure line. You can patch that with some fuel hose and hose clamps. Cut out the bad section, stick 3/8" fuel hose over the cut ends, hose clamp it down, done.

You could get new lines but from reading about it the process sounds like a pain.

 

[xavierny25]

Looks pretty clean for an 08 with 135k on the dash.

 

[Mooseman]

Take that rubber off and you might be surprised.

 

[xavierny25]

Take that rubber off and you might be surprised.

Why you trying to jinx it for me.... Bruh

 

[Mooseman]

Just a reality check man! Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[xavierny25]

@Mooseman reality checked

 

[Mooseman]

You're safe... For now

 

[xavierny25]

You're safe... For now

You are safe for now aswell... Does anyone know when moose hunting season starts?

 

[wormwood1978]

You are safe for now aswell... Does anyone know when moose hunting season starts?

I opted to have my local garage do the work as I'm leaving on vacation today and try to keep to simpler fixes and maintenance.

The shop said the only area that was leaking and only place the lines were bad was on top of the strut tower as someone had suggested, and I later found. They cut out the two rusted/leaking line sections and put new 3/8 nickel line in. Over 2 hours of labor though :-( Hopefully this fixes the problem and if so, I'm thankful it was not worse or more expensive.

Thanks so much for the feedback and suggestions I received in this thread.

 

[NJTB]

That's the way I repaired mine, too. Been about 8 months, still no leaks, works fine.

 

[jsheahawk]

I opted to have my local garage do the work as I'm leaving on vacation today and try to keep to simpler fixes and maintenance.

The shop said the only area that was leaking and only place the lines were bad was on top of the strut tower as someone had suggested, and I later found. They cut out the two rusted/leaking line sections and put new 3/8 nickel line in. Over 2 hours of labor though :-( Hopefully this fixes the problem and if so, I'm thankful it was not worse or more expensive.

Thanks so much for the feedback and suggestions I received in this thread.

Two hours of labor after you pointed them to the exact problem? Ouch! Glad you got it fixed.

 

[JimInRadfordVA]

View attachment 75458 View attachment 75457
@Mooseman reality checked

How about some Scotchbrite on those lines and a spritz of some kind of anti-corrosion spray, like Rustoleum?

 

[richphotos]

Looking at this now has me worried about the 04 with 94k miles. Can that rubber be removed and left off?

 

[Mooseman]

That's what I did.

 

[xavierny25]

How about some Scotchbrite on those lines and a spritz of some kind of anti-corrosion spray, like Rustoleum?

That's a possibility when I do my yearly engine bay cleaning.