I have red transmission fluid leaking of the bottom the the steering control valve.  I've looked to see if it is running from the transmission but i can't find any evidence of that.  Is the valve bad and do I need to replace it??

I have replaced two already, I think they were intended to leak ??

NONO , can happen. Don't forget whe are running "old-timers" ! I have a better story : 20 years ago i bought a Range Rover (jeep) and on a morning wanting to leave all my hydraulic fluid was on the road out of the power steering.....Called the dealer who told me to warm up the steering box with a torch , fill fluid and everything was ok. I wonderd if he was fouling me... But then came the story : if you park that Range Rover in winter with wheels not strait !!!!! , the oil seal is "frozen" that way and turning a bit the wheels with power steering oil pressure those seals remain a bit inclined frozen.... giving a nice gap for the oil !!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH great. I can  tell a book about that Range Rover , everything on it broke down , not once but several times : i was driving more a mini replacement dealer car than my RR  .....Happyest day of my life , buying a Toyota jeep ...

 

Tina, is it leaking from the valve itself, or the cylinder that runs across to the pass. side? Either one can/will leak, and both are repairable. The control valve is notorious for leaks. Check to make sure it's not just a bad/loose hose to the valve, also.

Gotta agree with Joel. Check the hoses and connections.  Maybe even a pump leak that is running down the hoses.

Hey, Chips!! Long time no see!!

Check your steering box too.

I had a leak in my steering box that came out of the bottom and ran down the pitman arm and the fluid ended up dripping off of the p/s control valve.

Good luck,

Anthony

I have repaired, replaced, and played with so darn many Control valves over the years..and just last week purchased 6 bottles of power steering fluid in anticipation of my annual April fools ritiual of opening the garage doors and driving each of the Corvettes to start the SUMMER.  

All 3 of my C3's leak steering fluid EVERY SPRING....and after 100 to 200
miles STOP LEAKING.... so I stock up on fluid...   I have purchased  new control valves with so called aircraft seals, have purchased rebuilting kits, you name it...nothing works except to drive the cars...

This has been occuring forever !
I've owned my 79 for 21 years now My 72 for 17 years and my 76 for
13 years ..none have been daily drivers and each has leaked every spring

Gosh I do not even worry about it anymore... just fill the pump, and use
pour some kittly litter under each car until May...

Thats my story....!
Bob G.



     

BTW, does anyone have a control valve dust cover laying around, its the one that is on the front of the valve that protects the centering adjusting nut, if not does anyone know where I can pick up just the dust cover, because my vette's are pertty much done I picked up a 64 bel-air two door post project and it has the same PS set up, Thanks