Power Steering Pump Leaks

[rogerh]

By the way, I went to buy more P/S fluid...the Manual calls for Type A fluid.
The auto parts store stocked three separate brands...none were called Type A.
One was for "pre-80's Mopars", but I went with a different brand, which the counterman thought would work fine.

[Dick Koch]

Roger - I used the inexpensive (cheap) o-ring and haven't had a problem since, but I will keep the Hi temp silicone o-ring in mind, at $8.00 its less than a whole kit. Thanks for the tip.
Dick.

[Fins59]

I have no idea what my $1.00 "O" ring is made of but I have had no problem with it yet. I've been using trany fluid in my power steering since day one. No problems. I still haven't replaced my heater hose pwr steering return line yet either. One of these days.......

[rogerh]

The answer was in the literature.
The Supplement p 78 does not specify the p/s fluid, other than Type A.
But I went back to the 57-8 Service manual, and on p. 496, it tells me to use Type "A" TRANSMISSION FLUID.
and of course now I remember that I have been running tranny fluid in there.
Hey, it's an age-thing. Only I am getting old too fast!

[rogerh]

I put it all back together today. While re-installing teh return (large diameter) line onto the pump, I realised that due to age, the hose had flared and the clamp really wasn't doing a good job of sealing.
I sawed off one inch of the hose and re-installed the hose. Refilled the reservoir, started the car, trurned the wheel fuuly left, then fully right.
The skies cleared finally (6 pm), so I took her out for a short drive. Runs pretty good.
I had noticed a few days ago that one spark plug wire had fallen off the distributor. (Isnt a V-8 great?) I would like to get a little more immediate repsonse from the accelerator pedal,...maybe it is a timing issue.

[Dick Koch]

Well, did it leak or not??????????????????????
Dick

[rogerh]

I topped of the reservoir after the test drive.
I will check the garage floor for telltale signs tonight, Dick!

[big m]

Roger, Type-A fluid was superceded by Type-A, suffix-A fluid in the early sixties, which was later superceded by Dexron, Dexron II, and finally Mercon. These are all acceptable for use in our Mopars.

---John

[rogerh]

Excellent! Thank you very much for that bit of info. I think now there was Mercon IV in there, plus a bunch of anti-leak stuff. I filled what was lost by part removal and cleaning, with Mercon V.

[rogerh]

Although I can't say for sure whether the leak was coming from the "O" ring or ( ) the low-pressure hose connection, it doesn't seem to leak now...

[big m]

Success!

A job well done!

---John