Today, many rebuilders are performing an air test prior to the hydraulic test on their steering gears to add to their quality assurance. The air test is performed by filling the assembled gear with air and measuring the pressure decay. A test system that can accurately perform this test is available from Cincinnati Test Systems and starts at $8,000.00. However, if a leak is detected, you do not know where the leak is! Kaufman Products worked in unison with a large national rebuilder and developed a more helpful, cost-effective stand alone, air test system. After the gear is filled with air, it is submerged in a very light, seal compatible, testing oil. Then by looking for air bubbles, a small leak can be detected. This is similar to looking for the slow leak in a car tire, the type of leak that takes days for the tire to go flat. By submerging the tire in water, the leak can be located and fixed.

Kaufman Products now offers this steering gear air test system as a stand-alone, air test bench for air leak testing of all steering gears. The test is performed first with low-pressure air to detect any seals that would leak when the car is not running, and then with high-pressure air to detect any other leaks. The entire test takes about two minutes to perform. Included with the air test system is:

• The completely assembled air logic system including all plumbing hardware, regulators, gauges, and valves. All that is required to operate this tester is shop air.

• A complete assortment of over 25 different port fittings with quick disconnects to enabling you to fill the gear with air.

                    • The liquid/air test tank

                    • 55 Gallons of tester fluid