x91j

i have a 91 jeep cherokee 4.0 i6.
so i went outside this morning and my power steering fluid is all over the driveway and the gear box is soaked with fluid. i have recently tightened the gear box but only slightly. my question is would the fluid leak due to me adjusting the gear box?

x91j

leaking from the pit arm?

Skreed

I really dont think so but not a 100% sure. I've done that adjustment and have not had that happen. You should make sure you didn;t knock any hoses loose or cause any cracks in the reservoir when fiddling around in there.

Have you driven the jeep since the leak? Does the steering feel ok? Did you loosen the screw too much and it overflowed out of the adjustment screw maybe?

x91j

well i had this problem before when it was super cold outside i was driving and then the pump was grinding really loud so i pulled into autozone and all the fluid was gone so i went in bought some and it was filled for 2 months then i was at school yesterday and i pulled it in the shop checked it out and it was dripping on the floor i figured it was from the water on the road but when i woke up today there was a puddle under my passanger side . i still have that factory skid in the front so it may have just trickled down that way. but other then that its wet on the gear box. the pump is dry. by the way the gear box was replaced 4 months ago. and was adjusted because the steering was very loose

Skreed

I'd say its more likely the pump if it's whining. The seals and bearings are going or have gone bad. Try to wipe everything down and get rid of the fluid as much as possible and see where it's leaking from just to rule out a leaky hose. Check the connections and where the rubber hose meets up with the metal compression fitting. It would prob be a good idea to pull that skid plate off too to get a better look. If its the pump or reservoir you can get one pretty cheap from the junk yard or on ebay.

x91j

ok il have to go back out and look at it some more. is the pump supposed to whine at all? i mean it whines but not alot and its not very loud

x91j

here are some picks. i narrowed it down to the gear box. but i dont understad why its leaking i replaced it a few months ago.

95yeti

man i am stumped just wipe it down fill it up and watch it

x91j

already did. all the hoses are dry but the gearbox is soaked

Skreed

Did you install it or a shop? If you had a decent shop do it they should back up there work or the part for 12 mon 12,000 at most places .

If not then I would start ripping into it...Take the pump out and see if it's really the gear box and not the pump, because its easy enough for the pump to leak onto the box.

x91j

if the flud was overfilled would it make it pour out of the gear box? it was pretty overfilled

Skreed

possible but you said it ran dry right????

x91j

not completely dry

Skreed

Well there;s not too many place power steering fluid can come from, so wipe it down again and keep a close eye on it.

x91j

thanks man. youve been helpful. i think leaks are the worse things ever