Power Steering Line Question

[Robby1870]

So, I've had this power steering leak ever since I've had the STE. Never really been that big a deal, just check it and add fluid every few weeks or so. Well, I've finally gotten tired of it. I went out a few minutes ago to actually look at it. I do have a few questions though.

 

There are two lines coming from the pump, one is a hard line all the way up to the pump and screws into it. The other is rubber where it attaches to the pump. The leak is down the line on the that is hard all the way up to the pump. I've got a pic here of where the leak is. I'll describe what's circled in the red.

 

 

Circled in the red is what looks to be an old factory connection. There are hose clampls on each end of what is in the middle of the red. Also, there is some kind of threaded metal thing in the middle there and it looks as if it used to be screwed together or attached to one side of the rubber line there. It's so busted up, I have no idea how it's supposed to look.

 

What I'm thinking for a fix is to cut off the factory junction (metal to rubber) on the pump side and on the rack side and run some new line with hose clamps. The line does go back to metal before it goes into the rack so my fix shouldn't be a problem.

 

If you have any insight, opinions or questions feel free to post.

[patgizz]

you can't cut the high pressure line and use clamps, it runs over 1000PSI. you'll need to buy a new complete line and install it.

[5speedz34]

you can't cut the high pressure line and use clamps, it runs over 1000PSI. you'll need to buy a new complete line and install it.

 

Yeah, it would be best to replace the line. IF it was me I would see how much it would be to replace both lines and the pump. Should'nt be over $150.

[Robby1870]

you can't cut the high pressure line and use clamps, it runs over 1000PSI. you'll need to buy a new complete line and install it.

 

fuck, I was hoping that wasn't the high pressure line, but I couldn't remember which was which.

 

Do you know what was supposed to be there? It looks like some kind of junction at one time. Maybe a previous owner tried to patch it?

[Robby1870]

you can't cut the high pressure line and use clamps, it runs over 1000PSI. you'll need to buy a new complete line and install it.

 

Yeah, it would be best to replace the line. IF it was me I would see how much it would be to replace both lines and the pump. Should'nt be over $150.

 

Yeah, either the P/S pump or the water pump is making a lot of noise and has been for a while. I think the bearing on the P/S pump pulley is shot, you can see it's rotation is wobbly.

[Robby1870]

Okay, so at Advance, a high pressure line is $26 and a return is $27 and a new pump is $65. I've got some spare pumps (at home though). How hard is it to reach where the lines attach to the rack?

[patgizz]

its a bitch and a half. drop the back of the cradle down some(undo the bolts as far as possible without taking them out). think its an 18mm wrench to get them off.

[Robby1870]

Figured it would be. And, I left my line wrenches at home....maybe I'll wait til thanksgiving break when I go home. I'll be worried about the cradle bolts too, they'll be a bitch to get off too.

[5speedz34]

Figured it would be. And, I left my line wrenches at home....maybe I'll wait til thanksgiving break when I go home. I'll be worried about the cradle bolts too, they'll be a bitch to get off too.

 

Might as well replace those while you're down there.

[GP1138]

Figured it would be. And, I left my line wrenches at home....maybe I'll wait til thanksgiving break when I go home. I'll be worried about the cradle bolts too, they'll be a bitch to get off too.

 

Might as well replace those while you're down there.

 

Do the bushings, too.

[BIGBULS]

Yeah, it would be best to replace the line. IF it was me I would see how much it would be to replace both lines and the pump. Should'nt be over $150.

 

Not at a dealer.................try $500-600 (I am DEAD serious).

 

[Robby1870]

Figured it would be. And, I left my line wrenches at home....maybe I'll wait til thanksgiving break when I go home. I'll be worried about the cradle bolts too, they'll be a bitch to get off too.

 

Might as well replace those while you're down there.

 

Do the bushings, too.

 

Yeah, I figure I will. I can only find the bushing and bolts from the dealer though but they were pretty cheap. So, I'm still under $100 (thanks to my supply of spare p/s pumps), which is good.

[slick]

Thats not too bad. I'm assuming it is caked in grease from the leak, right? It would make your job tons easier if before you go to repair it, you shoot some undiluted degreaser down there, let it soak for a few, then hit it with a pressure washer to get most of that crap off. I'm sure the grease buildup actually acted as a protectant, so I bet it isn't too awful rusty.

 

 

As for the cradle bolts, use a 3/8" breaker bar and a deepwell socket. If that isn't enough leverage, add on a pipe. Always seems to do the trick for me.

[Robby1870]

Thats not too bad. I'm assuming it is caked in grease from the leak, right? It would make your job tons easier if before you go to repair it, you shoot some undiluted degreaser down there, let it soak for a few, then hit it with a pressure washer to get most of that crap off. I'm sure the grease buildup actually acted as a protectant, so I bet it isn't too awful rusty.

 

 

As for the cradle bolts, use a 3/8" breaker bar and a deepwell socket. If that isn't enough leverage, add on a pipe. Always seems to do the trick for me.

 

Yeah, no rust on that side of the car, lol. All the mess down there is from the p/s leak. Good call on degreasing it.