Seepage / leak at PS control valve steering rack?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

TJP440

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
Posts
329
Reaction score
540
Location
omaha
Ram Year
2014
Engine
hemi
Slowly finding time to play with the recently purchased 2014 Bighorn. One of the things I have always done when purchasing a used vehicle is to go over it thoroughly before trusting it. I have found that doing so usually provides long term reliability ;).
So initial inspection revealed a seepage / leak at the steering rack or more likely the control valve. The end of the valve where the electrical connector and the wires are appeared to be the wettest. Some fluid was also noted on the to be the bottom of the valve and the steering rack bellows.
I've probably only put about 250 miles total on it and it has not left a drop on the floor. It may be accumulated seepage but a bit wetter than I would like to see. Everything else above and close by appeared clean & dry. I have thoroughly brake cleaned the residual fluid up and will obviously keep a close eye on it.
I don't get to drive it as much as I would like so I thought possibly a few members may be able to comment if this is a common issue and if so is it more likely the valve itself or the rack?
The truck only has ~ 64K miles on it :)
Some of the older cars I worked on have had issues with fluid seeping through the Male spade terminals on Automatics even with NEW feedthroughs installed in the case. Such high "CRAWITY" parts we get these days
Any comments / help appreciated
 

Daw14

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2017
Posts
3,433
Reaction score
5,490
Location
South Florida
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7 hemi
If someone was sloppy doing an oil change , when removing the filter they may have drained it on top of the rack . What you are seeing may be residual from the change.
 

Dean2

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2021
Posts
4,455
Reaction score
8,947
Location
Near Edmonton
Ram Year
2021 2500
Engine
6.4
^^^^^ This. You used some brake cleaner to clean off what looks like the leak, my bet is, the spot doesn't come back. The reason I am so sure is the 2014 1500 has an an electric steering rack. All of them do after 2013. There is no power steering fluid, or fluid of any other kind in the rack, unless you are running a 2500 or 3500.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
T

TJP440

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2024
Posts
329
Reaction score
540
Location
omaha
Ram Year
2014
Engine
hemi
Thank you BOTH very much for responding. You have lowered my stress level significantly. I did note that the fluid did appear to look like motor oil with a yellowish color to it so I'm guessing you're both right. It's also had TWO oil changes in the last 500 miles as the previous owner had it done just before trading it in and the dealership did it again. Per the carfax, it's had regular oil changes about every 3K miles but not much else which is a bit puzzling.
The truck only has 65K on it and is immaculate.
If you read my profile it will explain a bit more about me ;)

AGAIN THANY YOU BOTH
 

Forum statistics

Threads
211,381
Posts
3,065,837
Members
171,790
Latest member
ChloeBrooks
Back
Top