My name is Noah and I just bought a new to me 73 Ford Maverick 4 door. The previous owner says it has 32k original miles but who knows... Since I saw my first maverick a few years ago I knew I wanted one (although the one I saw was a 2 door). I'm happy with the four door and the price was alright for me. It still needs work but has front disk brakes, an electric exhaust cut out, and a really bad paint job. Will upload pictures soon. I have a, what I believe to be, power steering fluid leak and am not sure where it is coming from. It is obviously hitting the main wheel coming out of the engine because there is always a perfect lune under the car of fluid spray when it flies off. Does anyone know where it could be and what part needs replacing? I tried looking and didn't see anything obvious.
Welcome! Is your power steering levels low and is it whining when you turn? usually the line that is in the rear of the pump is a flared fitting, you might want to check if it has any cracks or feel around the pump to see if you can find fluid on it. It is easy to remove the pump all together to take a better look at it, just detach the lines and unbolt it from the bracket (just make sure to catch all the fluid in a pan when it leaks out). Napa and some other autoparts stores will rebuild the pump for you for about 60 bucks if need be. also, what color is the fluid on the ground? that can give you more info on what fluid it is.
First of all, from Atlantic Canada!! Crawl under there and spray everything down with some brake clean on a rag and wipe it all clean. Then start it up and see where the drips are coming from. The steering cylinder can be rebuilt, along with the control valve. The hoses are fairly cheap and easy to install if you take your time. Rebuilding the pump isn't that bad either, if you have some basic tools and a vice. like Rapture said, if the pump is low on fluid, it won't be happy and it will let you know about it! I wouldn't rule out an engine oil leak either, by the location of that leak... that oil looks awfully black! What engine is in your car? The parts (including rebuild kits) can be sourced cheaply from places like Rock Auto. That's where I bought all of my stuff when I rebuilt my steering and components.
Thanks for the info! I haven't had time to check again and now that it's dark I won't be able to until tomorrow. I don't believe it was motor oil because it was leaking a lot and the oil was staying at the same level, it was dark in color but I'm pretty sure was orange-ish but that may just be me remembering the tranny fluid I bought. I will wipe it down tomorrow and try to find where it originates from but I am pretty sure it's from above the main belt wheel coming out of the engine that's why it's spraying in that line and accumulating on the sides. The power steering fluid pump (?) Is the one with the small dipstick on the front right of the engine right? That one was basically empty. I have the 302 V8 btw
As far as I could tell, it wasn't squeaking when I would turn the wheel but I never turned it all the way because my wheels rub. (Need to buy spacers) the steering wheel has a lot of play in it as well would that be a fluid problem or mechanical?
Just checked it again and it is a light oramge color, almost like motor oil when it's new but the oil hasn't been changed in like 2-3k miles so it shouldn't look that fresh
If the pump resivour was/is basically empty, then you have pwr steering fluid escaping. So many parts to these systems could be leaking anywhere. Only way to find is as mention in previous post -- clean it up and check again.
So I figured out my main leak is coming from a metal tube at the bottom right of the radiator (cars right) and it goes all the way back towards the middle of the car underneath. Anyone know which line this is? Not the best picture but it's the line that comes out, goes right and makes a u turn and goes towards the back of the car. Is that a transmission fluid line?
Okay great thank you. So that's one of the leaks. The power steering I believe is still leaking. Will order the transmission line now.
