Power Steering Leak

[jedwards83]

I discovered today that the power steering on the new Bonneville is leaking. Must be a semi-fast leak as I've had the car less than a week and the pump was whining when I pulled the car in today. Little or no fluid on the dipstick when checked.

What fluid to put in? Manual says "GM Power Steering Fluid." It appears to be motor oil colored from what I can tell on the dipstick.

[00Beast]

Either Power Steering fluid or Automatic Transmission Fluid will be fine. A bit of Lucas Power Steering Stop leak might slow the leak long enough to help you find it or get through the winter. It really helped the whiny PS pump in my sister's Taurus. Killed the noise almost instantly.

[enslow]

Ditto on the PS stop leak. I added it to my wife's car 2 years ago thinking I'd have to replace the unit the following summer anyway. It's still fine.

[jedwards83]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try the stop leak. Getting it through the winter is my first priority. I already have a laundry list of other maintenance I have to get done in the cold!

O/T, 00 Beast, how do you like the EBC Redstuff pads for daily driving? I have to change rotors and pads soon, and was considering one of the EBC series.

[00Beast]

EBC Rotors are great, the Red Stuff pads aren't so much. Get a set of the rotors, but get a set of top-shelf parts store ceramic pads. You'll be much happier.

[jedwards83]

I'll post back whether I have success with the stop leak. In hindsight, I remember seeing a yellow fluid in the snow where the car sat-- It looked more like green antifreeze (which the car doesn't have) than power steering fluid or oil, but who knows. I've always used ATF for GM power steering in the past, which contrasts with what is in there (oil colored). I hope it won't do any harm mixing them.

00Beast: I'll probably try the EBC Greenstuff then. I've used them in the past in another vehicle and loved them after their break in. During break in, they covered the wheels in black grit something horrible.

[00Beast]

IMO the best pads for these cars are ceramic pads. NAPA Ultra Premium, Wagner, Akebono, etc. No dust, good clamping power, quiet.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

High-mileage ATF seems to work well for me.

Ditto on the EBC rotors and most expensive parts-store ceramic pads. EBC rotors and AutoZone Duralast Gold Cmax ceramic pads work very well on my Buick.