Power Steering Control Valve Leak

[Bill B.]

PSCV has started leaking quite a bit of fluid on the garage floor. The leak appears to be on the portion where the valve screws into the steering relay rod. I sprayed the valve with alcohol and an hour later the the threads were wet and drops of PS fluid were on the bolt that secures the valve to the relay rod. My search of the archieves doesn't mention any leaks from this area. Anyone heard of the valve leaking at this location? I need to decide if I want to rebuild the current valve or get a replacement. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Bill B

[Dave S.]

Re: Power Steering Control Valve Leak

PSCV has started leaking quite a bit of fluid on the garage floor. The leak appears to be on the portion where the valve screws into the steering relay rod. I sprayed the valve with alcohol and an hour later the the threads were wet and drops of PS fluid were on the bolt that secures the valve to the relay rod. My search of the archieves doesn't mention any leaks from this area. Anyone heard of the valve leaking at this location? I need to decide if I want to rebuild the current valve or get a replacement. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Bill B

Bill,
My PS control valve started leaking badly in the same location you describe,
I had a spare that Lone Star had rebuilt so I simply installed it. Cost to rebuild them is about $150 or less.
Do you have a grease fitting on your CV.?? Lone Star tells you that the use of a grease fitting will void their warranty.

[Bill B.]

Re: Power Steering Control Valve Leak

Dave...The valve I have is Lone Star as part of a complete Lone Star kit I purchased from another individual. The kit was brand new and never installed when I purchased it. Lone Star cannot honor the warranty since I didn't buy directly from them which I fully understand. I'm thinking of buying a rebuild kit but I don't want to do the job twice if a new valve will work. All my research says rebuilding is hit or miss and I've read where new one (rebuilt) can also leak in short time. I'm just looking for advice on which way offers the best chance of not repeating the task. Also Dave, you said your valve was leaking in the same place as mine. Any idea if that is just a seal replacement or a complete rebuild?

[Joe L.]

Re: Power Steering Control Valve Leak

PSCV has started leaking quite a bit of fluid on the garage floor. The leak appears to be on the portion where the valve screws into the steering relay rod. I sprayed the valve with alcohol and an hour later the the threads were wet and drops of PS fluid were on the bolt that secures the valve to the relay rod. My search of the archieves doesn't mention any leaks from this area. Anyone heard of the valve leaking at this location? I need to decide if I want to rebuild the current valve or get a replacement. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Bill B

Bill------


From what you describe, your leak is from the adapter section of the valve. The adapter section is supposed to be "dry" (i.e. no power steering fluid is supposed to get into this section of the valve assembly). So, one of the valve assembly's internal seals has failed. You'll need to do a complete valve rebuild.

[Bill B.]

Re: Power Steering Control Valve Leak

Thanks Joe. I appreciate the explanation.

[Richard M.]

Re: Power Steering Control Valve Leak

Bill,

If you haven't yet, I'd recommend you speak to Ken McCormick at Lone Star directly about this. He may be able to help and is great to work with. One caveat is some form of proof it cane from there. IIRC there is a identifier on the valves that Lone Star uses as proof. Can't recall exactly how though, but no harm in asking Ken.

I had a similar issue with a PS pump I got from another source that they rebuilt and Ken was very helpful. He worked with me on the phone and we discovered the problem, which turned out to be a defect in their rebuild process. He intervened and got me another pump, bypassing the vendor I got it from. Yes it was within the warranty period but maybe he could help you in a "good faith" way.

Rich

[Dave S.]

Re: Power Steering Control Valve Leak

Rich's suggestion is the best route. I thought the same thing about replacing the seal and I decided it was a likely band aid. For the small cost involved you can get a rebuilt unit with a warranty. Your core is worth about $100 toward the total. Ken is a stand up guy and I expect he will treat you fairly. I'll be sending my leaking valve to him for a rebuild so I have a spare.