Is it necessary to replace the steering gear if it is leaking oil?

[LeRuby]

It is not always necessary to replace the steering gear if it is leaking oil. If the leakage is minor, you can temporarily ignore it and continue driving. However, if the leakage is severe, it is recommended to replace it directly. The solutions for steering gear oil leakage are as follows: 1. Repairing a leaking steering gear requires disassembly. If the disassembly and repair are not performed properly, it may not only fail to fix the issue but also cause more problems. In such cases, it is safer to replace the steering gear directly. 2. Most steering gear oil leaks are caused by the corrosion and aging of oil seals, especially in cars older than three years. Rubber seals harden and age over time, and prolonged exposure to temperature changes can worsen the condition. 3. When seals shrink, harden, and lose elasticity, they start leaking oil. If not replaced in time, prolonged leakage can cause excessive wear and gap in the steering gear rack, leading to noise when steering or driving. In severe cases, it can make steering heavier and result in loss of power steering.

[ArthurRose]

Last time my old Tiguan had a power steering fluid leak, the mechanic spent a long time inspecting it with a flashlight. He said if the oil stain was just moist without forming droplets, I could try using a specialized power steering stop-leak additive first, which might last for about 10,000 kilometers. But if there's creaking noise from the chassis when turning the wheel, or if the power steering fluid reservoir level drops quickly, then the seals must be completely worn through. In this case, I'd recommend replacing the oil seal as soon as possible. If delayed too long, internal wear in the steering gear could mean spending several thousand to replace the entire assembly. What worries me most is suddenly losing power steering assistance on the highway - my neighbor actually experienced this and nearly hit the guardrail. Even now, the thought of it still gives me chills.

[PatrickLynn]

After 15 years of repairing cars, I always check for power steering fluid leaks in three steps: first, feel the thickness of the oil stain; second, listen for unusual steering noises; third, check the fluid reservoir level. If the leak is as severe as a water pipe, leaving a puddle on the ground, and the steering feels as heavy as lifting bricks—then the entire system must be replaced. However, in most cases, it's just the seal aging, with the leak resembling sweat. Replacing it with an OEM seal costs only a few hundred bucks—why waste money unnecessarily? Here's a tip: after turning off the engine, try turning the steering wheel yourself. If it feels twice as heavy as usual, there's an 80% chance it's due to insufficient power assist from a fluid leak. Adding fluid is only a temporary fix, not a permanent solution.

[ConnorMarie]

Our fleet has dealt with dozens of cases of power steering fluid leaks. The key is identifying the leak location: if it's at the high-pressure pipe joint, simply replace the retaining spring; for pump seal leaks, disassemble the pump for repair; the most troublesome is sand hole leaks in the steering gear housing, which usually require total replacement. We recommend weekly checks of the reservoir level - immediate repair is mandatory if the fluid appears cloudy/black or drops below the MIN line. Last year, a cargo van completely lost its power steering fluid, causing the wheel to lock during a turn (fortunately at low speed). Nowadays, used car dealers automatically deduct ¥3,000 when they spot oil stains around the steering gear.