Sealant for power steering. Which is better?
How does power steering sealant work?
Power steering sealants have three main effects:
- normalize the viscosity of the liquid, thickening it in high-temperature ranges, which makes it difficult to form leaks through seals with signs of wear;
- soften the cuffs, allowing them to fit more tightly to the stem;
- partially restore minor damage to seals, sealing microcracks and dents on their surfaces.
To understand how important it is to use sealant for power steering, you need to understand the essence of the problem of oil leakage from this system. The fact is that there are cases when a sealant for a hydraulic booster works effectively and is really capable of extending its maintenance-free operation. But there are breakdowns in which the use of sealing compounds is money thrown to the wind.
Consider various common options for depressurization of the power steering hydraulic system, as well as the possibility of using sealants in the described cases.
- Leak through the rail seals. It manifests itself in fogging (or the appearance of open leaks) in the area of \uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe anthers of the rail. Typically, this problem is associated with the "zadubevanie" rubber glands or weakening of the coupling springs. Less often - in the critical abrasion of the working sponges of the seals or their tears. If the problem is that the seals are hardened or have slight damage, the sealant will either reduce the intensity of the leak, or almost completely eliminate it. If the oil seal is badly damaged, a spring has flown off it or it is deformed, the sealant will not help. The prerequisites for the critical destruction of the seals are the presence of dirt in the power steering fluid or a long ride with a damaged anther.
- Leakage through damaged hoses or fittings. There is no point in pouring sealant. In this case, the only solution is to replace the damaged hydraulic lines.
- Leak through the stuffing box of the power steering pump. The sealant in this case, even the best, only reduces the intensity of fluid leakage.
Sealants were originally designed to only temporarily eliminate the leak, before putting the car in for repairs. They should not be taken as a complete repair solution. If, after using the sealant for the hydraulic booster, it is possible to drive 10-15 thousand km before the leak resumes, this can be considered good luck.
Sealant for power steering: which is better?
Let's take a brief look at the three most common hydraulic booster sealants on the Russian market.
- Hi-Gear Steer Plus. The composition is positioned both as a sealant and as a tuning tool. Promises to eliminate leaks through the seals and increase the efficiency of the system: reduce noise and vibration, reduce the effort on the steering wheel. Available in 295 ml jars in two formats:
- with ER - contains the so-called friction winner, focused on reducing the effort on the steering wheel at low temperatures and the overall extension of the system life;
- with SMT - contains a metal conditioner that helps to restore worn metal surfaces, while reducing the coefficient of friction due to the formation of a protective film.
The tool costs, depending on the format and the seller's margin, from 400 to 600 rubles.
- Step Up Power Steering. Works to reduce noise and restore the tightness of seals. Available in 355 ml bottles. It costs around 400 rubles.
- Liqui Moly power steering oil loss stop. A concentrated composition that acts on damaged rubber seals, softening it and restoring integrity in places of microdamage. Sold in 35 ml tubes. The price is about 600 rubles.
All of the above tools do not require any special preparation: they are simply added to the expansion tank of the hydraulic booster. In the case of Hi-Gear and Step Up, it may be necessary to pump out excess fluid from the power steering so that after adding the agent, the recommended level is not exceeded.
There are both positive and negative reviews about all the tools on the Internet. And, if you analyze it, it becomes clear: all compounds work if used for their intended purpose. That is, in situations where the leak is caused by minor damage to the seals or their "drying".
