Service VME - Power Steering Fluid on Lines at Rack

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

This is a dealer VME going out to Buick service managers, concerning Lucerne power steering gear unnecessary replacement.

Some dealers are replacing steering gear assembly for some oil residue or from pressure and return fittings during PDI inspection.

Analysis of steering gears returned from the field is showing that less than 5% of those gears had any actual P/S fluid leaks.

This oil residue could be caused by a small amount of oil that can drip out when the shipping plugs are removed from the gear just prior to the installation of the P/S pressure and return lines being connected at the car assembly plants.

Gears should not be replaced for this condition.

Therefore the following process should be followed when diagnosing a P/S fluid leak

1. If you see a large amount of oil residue/drops then add dye to the system and inspect for the oil leak source. If you cannot find any system leaks don't replace any steering system components.
2. If you find a leak using the dye method for diagnosis, complete a Field Product Report and replace the gear.

Thanks,

This is Hassan Abdallah - Brand quality group

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.