So I'm on my 2nd XJ and when i bought this one ('99 4.0) i expected to have some leaks of some sort. The ONLY (my '92 had many=) leak on this one comes from what I think is the power steering gearbox, BUT despite the puddle in my driveway each night the ps pump is never really that low on fluid...

Could it be that the PS fluid is heated while driving and becomes more viscous so the puddle/leak looks worse than it is?

OR

There is a line that runs from the tranny to somwhere up front near theps box that could be leaking? I do burn some Trans fluid, but no puddles under the tranny!!!

Im leaning towards replacing the ps gearbox but wanted to check wiith you guys. Thoughts? is the gearbox hard to do? Read my Haynes manual on it, the only part hat looks intimidating is the pittman arm part as i dont have puller...

 

PS fluid is amber, transmission fluid is red, what color is it?

 

its amber... so how hard is the gearbox replacement? and what is that line that comes from tranny? thanks!

 

I just did the gearbox replacement - it's not hard, but the three bolts holding the box to the chassis will be rusted solid and are highly likely to break. If they do, you can get replacement Grade 8 bolts from Ace hardware. Likely the hoses will be rusted into the box also, so best pick up a couple of hoses while you are at it. Beware removing the return hose from the plastic nipple on the back of the pump reservoir - it is likely to break the plastic nipple off unless you are very very careful (ask me how I know) then you are in for a new reservoir also....

 

I did the same crap...Plus you have to buy a special tool to get the pump on the new resirvoir.

 

? I didn't need a special tool - there are a couple of clips and that's it....

 

The tranny line that runs up front by the ps pump, could be from the tranny to the tranny cooler, I blew that line once and had to replace it, don't know much about the ps on jeeps

good luck with your issue