Power Steering Fluid

[jason7579 5]

I seem to go through quite a lot of power steering fluid, topping up the bottle every couple of months or so.

 

How much, if any should I be using?

 

Where is a likely place for it to be leaking if I am using too much?

[Anthony 1,002]

Really shouldn't need topping up at all in my experience.

 

Check if it's leaking from the ram on the back of the rack, as that's the usual place as the seals fail and allow fluid to leak past.

 

It will likely be grimy no matter what, so give it a clean up and take it for a decent drive - if it's looking distinctly damp again, then chances are that's where it's leaking from. Unless you're specifically looking for it, it's generally not obvious as it only tends to leak under pressure and any leaked fluid tends to get carried away by the airflow under the car.

[welshpug 1,646]

as Anthony said, shouldn't need to top it up at all.

 

I haven't put a drop in my mum's 405 since I changed the fluid 110k miles ago.

[jason7579 5]

Definitely needs looking at then, thanks I'll clean it up and check how it is.