GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1998 🢒 Park Avenue 🢒 Steering 🢒 Power Steering System 🢒 Power Steering Gear and Pump Leaks

Perform the following steps:

  1. Dry the leakage area.
  2. Inspect the reservoir for a high fluid level.
  3. Inspect the power steering system for the following conditions:
    4. • Fluid aeration
    • Fluid overflow
  4. Inspect the hose connections. Tighten the hose connections if necessary.

    5. Important: The leak may not be located where the fluid drips.

  5. Verify the exact point of the leakage.
  6. Perform the following procedures if a leak is found:
    7. 6.1. Disassemble the power steering system.
    6.2. Clean the leakage area.
    6.3. Replace the damaged component.
    6.4. Inspect the component sealing surfaces for damage.
    6.5. Verify all of the component torque specifications.
    6.6. Reset the component torque specifications if necessary.
    6.7. Bleed the power steering system.

The power steering system may have the following conditions:

    • Fluid leakage on the garage floor
    • Fluid leaks that are visible on the following components:
       - The rack and pinion gear
       - The power steering pump
    • A growling noise is heard during the following conditions:
       - Parking the vehicle
       - The vehicle is operating below the normal operating temperature.
    • Loss of the power steering when parking the vehicle
    • Increased steering effort

When diagnosing the above conditions, inspect for an external leak in the power steering system.