ATF, steering rack and coolant leaks
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ATF, steering rack and coolant leaks
Bought an '04 1500 Hemi QC with 47,000 miles on it several months ago.
The steering rack was leaking when I bought it but it seems worse now. Not enough to drip or visibly affect the fluid level but the "steering box" where the hoses enter from the pump/cooler is perpetually wet with power steering fluid. I plan to clean it up and see if I can ID specifically where the leak is coming from to be sure it's not just a fitting. My searching on here leads me to believe that both the OEM and the reman racks are complete garbage and have to be changed about every 3,000 miles. Ha! Are there any other options? Like one that's a completely different aftermarket design that still bolts up? If not I will probably just save the money and go aftermarket reman because it looks like the OEM ones are twice the price and just as crappy. It has no affect on the steering at the moment. I tend to be a minimalist with stuff like this so if there's no compelling reason to replace it immediately I plan to just clean it up and keep my eye on it and the fluid level.
The transmission pan is leaking very slightly from the front. It wasn't leaking until I changed the transmission oil and filters a couple of months ago and was surprised that there was just RTV and no gasket. I used red RTV and reassembled but I've only got about 2,000 miles on the ATF though so I'd rather not have to waste it. I retorqued the bolts but it's still weeping a tiny bit (Enough to make to dirty but not drip) but I was scared to put too much torque on those little bolts in an aluminum transmission. Am I stuck dropping the pan again and refilling with new ATF +4? Any tips to get a better seal when I redo it?
I'm also leaking coolant (slow drip) from what I'm pretty sure is the thermostat housing. It's near the flange that the radiator hose on the driver's side enters the engine. Is this a common leak? AutoZone has the gasket but should I do RTV also?
The steering rack was leaking when I bought it but it seems worse now. Not enough to drip or visibly affect the fluid level but the "steering box" where the hoses enter from the pump/cooler is perpetually wet with power steering fluid. I plan to clean it up and see if I can ID specifically where the leak is coming from to be sure it's not just a fitting. My searching on here leads me to believe that both the OEM and the reman racks are complete garbage and have to be changed about every 3,000 miles. Ha! Are there any other options? Like one that's a completely different aftermarket design that still bolts up? If not I will probably just save the money and go aftermarket reman because it looks like the OEM ones are twice the price and just as crappy. It has no affect on the steering at the moment. I tend to be a minimalist with stuff like this so if there's no compelling reason to replace it immediately I plan to just clean it up and keep my eye on it and the fluid level.
The transmission pan is leaking very slightly from the front. It wasn't leaking until I changed the transmission oil and filters a couple of months ago and was surprised that there was just RTV and no gasket. I used red RTV and reassembled but I've only got about 2,000 miles on the ATF though so I'd rather not have to waste it. I retorqued the bolts but it's still weeping a tiny bit (Enough to make to dirty but not drip) but I was scared to put too much torque on those little bolts in an aluminum transmission. Am I stuck dropping the pan again and refilling with new ATF +4? Any tips to get a better seal when I redo it?
I'm also leaking coolant (slow drip) from what I'm pretty sure is the thermostat housing. It's near the flange that the radiator hose on the driver's side enters the engine. Is this a common leak? AutoZone has the gasket but should I do RTV also?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Albany, NY
Rack is typical for leaking. maybe the pump is dripping on the fittings?
The trans pan has to come back off the seal it up properly. I use Permatex 1-minute gasket maker. It's a black rtv sealant and is in an aresol type can. Squirts out like whip cream with that style top. Stuff is expensive but goes aloooooong way. Sets up very quickly and it's a torqu and fill rtv. Regular RTV you need to set up for a few hours before filling with oil or else you will get leaks. This stuff there is no wait. I have been using it for several years with no issues at all.
Here's a Pic of the larger can
Therm, you could have just a bad gasket, but make sure it's not from the waterpump itself.
The trans pan has to come back off the seal it up properly. I use Permatex 1-minute gasket maker. It's a black rtv sealant and is in an aresol type can. Squirts out like whip cream with that style top. Stuff is expensive but goes aloooooong way. Sets up very quickly and it's a torqu and fill rtv. Regular RTV you need to set up for a few hours before filling with oil or else you will get leaks. This stuff there is no wait. I have been using it for several years with no issues at all.
Here's a Pic of the larger can
Therm, you could have just a bad gasket, but make sure it's not from the waterpump itself.
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That's the same sealant a friend recommended when I told him about that problem. Guess I'll have to do it. I did let the RTV dry for several hours before refilling though.
I hate dropping transmission pans. Such a mess even if I pump out as much as possible before.
I hate dropping transmission pans. Such a mess even if I pump out as much as possible before.
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Redid the transmission with the Permatex "Right Stuff" gasket maker last night and so far it doesn't appear to be leaking but I will keep an eye on it.
Still trying to get my coolant leak sorted out:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...at-gasket.html
Cleaned up the steering rack with mineral spirits, drove a little bit and didn't see any fresh fluid. I'm pretty sure it's leaking from the top where the shaft enters the rack though because that's the highest point that fluid was found when it was dirty.
Still trying to get my coolant leak sorted out:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...at-gasket.html
Cleaned up the steering rack with mineral spirits, drove a little bit and didn't see any fresh fluid. I'm pretty sure it's leaking from the top where the shaft enters the rack though because that's the highest point that fluid was found when it was dirty.
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From: Mason City, Iowa
god those things suck to replace.
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Possible good news:
The only place I saw fresh fluid on the rack is coming from the line that goes to the cooler from the fitting. I guess it's the low pressure hose because its a regular hose with a crimped clamp on it. The hose/clamp was pretty lose so I put a regular worm drive hose clamp on there. We will see if that holds and if it's the only leak.
Also, 25 or so more miles and no leaks on the transmission with the "Right Stuff" on there.
The only place I saw fresh fluid on the rack is coming from the line that goes to the cooler from the fitting. I guess it's the low pressure hose because its a regular hose with a crimped clamp on it. The hose/clamp was pretty lose so I put a regular worm drive hose clamp on there. We will see if that holds and if it's the only leak.
Also, 25 or so more miles and no leaks on the transmission with the "Right Stuff" on there.