Massive Fluid Leak after TSB

[DHW]

Unless you have bubbles in the lines your fluid reservoir "Min-Max" fill lines should let you know if it's at the proper level.

Thanks for the response. After I posted I realized I should have just looked under the hood, but I'm stuck at my desk at the moment.

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[Fast4by]

How can you check the fluid in the steering box? I had the swap done and it was good for a while, but a few weeks ago it felt like the dead spot almost instantly got worse. Wonder if the fluid leaked out. Will look under the Jeep tonight.

The reservoir over flow is located on the passenger side between the battery and air intake. I can tell you if you drive that low on fluid it will eat that steering box up real quick.

 

[Fast4by]

Update:
Dealer called and said they took it in and cleaned everything off / wiped it down. Then test drove it and let it sit for an hour and checked it again. They said its not leaking and still clean and it was just residual (like some mentioned). I'm still weary.
I am picking it up tonight after work..... stay tuned.

 

[limeade]

How can you check the fluid in the steering box? I had the swap done and it was good for a while, but a few weeks ago it felt like the dead spot almost instantly got worse. Wonder if the fluid leaked out. Will look under the Jeep tonight.

From reading other posts about this where owners are having to add fluid after having the TSB is done, I don't think some of the mechanics are bleeding the steering system properly prior to having the owners pick it up.

In terms of how the system operates, it is similar to a hydraulic brake system in that if you disconnect a line then you have to bleed the system in order to remove all of the trapped air.

For the steering system, this trapped air will eventually work it's way out through the fluid reservoir which will lead to the fluid level dropping as the fluid replaces the trapped air.

If you want to bleed the steering system yourself, it's pretty easy. First get the correct electronic power steering fluid. Don't get the general PS fluid, the Jeep has a specific type of fluid. Next, raise the front axle and support with jack stands. Remove PS fluid reservoir cap and start engine. Turn steering wheel lock to lock continuously. If there is any trapped air, you will see bubbles in the PS fluid reservoir. Add fluid as needed to keep above the MIN line. Continue to turn steering wheel until there is no more bubbles.

You can do this without the front on jack stands, it's just easier without having to overcome the friction of the tires and ground.

 

[neil]

The reservoir over flow is located on the passenger side between the battery and air intake. I can tell you if you drive that low on fluid it will eat that steering box up real quick.

and you should not need to be topping it off.

 

[neil]

Update:
Dealer called and said they took it in and cleaned everything off / wiped it down. Then test drove it and let it sit for an hour and checked it again. They said its not leaking and still clean and it was just residual (like some mentioned). I'm still weary.
I am picking it up tonight after work..... stay tuned.

just use the same eyes you used when you went there last. if not cleaned to your satisfaction...leave it.

I personally would crank it and let idle for about 30 while I was talking to you wonderful service advisor, afterwhich, I would run max AC before leaving the lot and see if I smell anything.

Stuff can be cleaned repeatedly until your satisfied. Life's that simple, be polite about it.

 

[Fast4by]

Final Update:
I picked the Jeep up last night.
They get a 'C' on cleanup. Although still signs of fluid the majority of the areas (track bar, pitman arm, steering box and frame) have been "wiped". I looked at the fittings to see if they looked to be weeping and they really cleaned that area (top of steering box). So after the 30 min drive home, I crawled up under it and checked again. The fittings still look to be dry. So that's GREAT !
This weekend I will buy a few cans of brake clean, a box of rags and a 6 pack and get to work.
Side Note... the steering is greatly improved and the overall feel is much tighter and more responsive.

THANK YOU for all those that posted and gave me hope that this was nothing more.
That's what makes this Forum AWESOME !

 

[HeavyUser]

I had the same problem, checked reservoir and was normal. Took it to the car wash, cleaned it all off, went on my merry way.

 

[TheGreatCO]

HELP !!!
I brought Jeep in for Steering Box TSB on Monday after part came in (3 month wait)
Dealer called me today (3 days later) to say its done.
They test drove it and said its good to go.
When i arrived I immediately saw a STAIN under the front end.
Hoping it wasn't from mine, I crawled under to look and check for new black box (it was there).
My Jeep only has 8k miles and is still spotless underneath (I know its a sin).
The whole driver side undercarriage was SATURATED IN POWER STEERING FLUID !!!!
There was so much I couldn't tell the source. There were drips ALL OVER THE PLACE !!
How did they not notice that after the test drive? (don't answer that).
I was so fed up I told them fix it and left.
I didn't even look to see if the reservoir was full or not.
I was so frustrated and pissed.

Anyone else experience this type of leaking after having TSB performed ?
And if so, what was the cause.
thanks in advance.

I had this happen on my Gladiator. Surprisingly, the dealer was honest about it and offered to get it detailed. I stupidly took them up on this. They just rubbed fucking tire shine or some shit on the plastic so you couldn't see the stains any more. Well, that all wore off and the stains are back. I'm still fighting with them. I posted about it over in the gladiator forums: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-for-improved-steering-feel.33705/post-568812. Unfortunately, the pictures don't do it justice.

 

[DHW]

Checked my fluid levels and they were fine. Just curious why there are such inconsistent results with these new steering boxes. With the old box, I'd occasionally have the disconcerting sensation like I was steering slightly to the left and the Jeep was still proceeding to the right and vice versa. That hasn't happened with the new box, but that's about all I can say. Still a pretty pronounced dead spot on center. Should I try bleeding the system anyway?

I know there are a million threads on the steering box situation, but has anyone adjusted the gearing tolerances on the new box like some did on the aluminum one?

 

[HeavyUser]

I had this happen on my Gladiator. Surprisingly, the dealer was honest about it and offered to get it detailed. I stupidly took them up on this. They just rubbed fucking tire shine or some shit on the plastic so you couldn't see the stains any more. Well, that all wore off and the stains are back. I'm still fighting with them. I posted about it over in the gladiator forums: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-for-improved-steering-feel.33705/post-568812. Unfortunately, the pictures don't do it justice.

Have you tried saturating the stains with simple green and washing it off?

 

[Fast4by]

I had this happen on my Gladiator. Surprisingly, the dealer was honest about it and offered to get it detailed. I stupidly took them up on this. They just rubbed fucking tire shine or some shit on the plastic so you couldn't see the stains any more. Well, that all wore off and the stains are back. I'm still fighting with them. I posted about it over in the gladiator forums: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-for-improved-steering-feel.33705/post-568812. Unfortunately, the pictures don't do it justice.

Yeah... PS fluid is like trans fluid...... its a detergent and very hard to dissolve. Brake clean and some good old elbow grease is really the only way to rid of it completely. But do not use it on painted body surfaces. For those use Dawn dish soap.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Glad it worked out!

A suggestion on cleanup. Drive onto ramps if you have them, or place front end on jack stands as high as you safely can. Use a degreaser; spray liberally over the affected area and allow to it work for several minutes. Blast it with a pressure washer. If you don’t have one, go to the nearest DIY car wash and use the hot soap followed by high pressure rinse.

 

[limeade]

Checked my fluid levels and they were fine. Just curious why there are such inconsistent results with these new steering boxes. With the old box, I'd occasionally have the disconcerting sensation like I was steering slightly to the left and the Jeep was still proceeding to the right and vice versa. That hasn't happened with the new box, but that's about all I can say. Still a pretty pronounced dead spot on center. Should I try bleeding the system anyway?

I know there are a million threads on the steering box situation, but has anyone adjusted the gearing tolerances on the new box like some did on the aluminum one?

If you aren't experienced in adjusting gears, backlash, etc. I'd suggest you do not adjust the steering box. If not correctly adjusted, you'll waste the gears and then you'll be paying for a new box. There's a correct way to do it, outlined in the FSM.

Mine doesn't have any dead spot (to me). Dead spot's could be caused by worn tie rod ends. Also, the design of the wrangler steering system results in a less than exact steering feel. It is similar Chevy trucks from the 70's and 80's. It'll never feel like a new truck, suv, or car which has IFS and a rack and pinion steering system.

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