HELP! - Power Steering hose leak

[94_240sx]

How are you guys?Last night, I just found out that I was having a leak. It only happens when I turn the steering wheel all the way to right or left. It looks like there's a small crack in the middle of the hose and when pressure goes up, oil leaks. If you look at the picture, pump side is okay, but lower end is soaking wet. There is a some kind of insulation in the middle of the hose, so I wasn't able to locate exact spot. Is it hard to replace this hose? Can I just unscrews 2 bolts in red circles and replace it? Is there something I should be careful about? Pump side connection looks straight forward, but the other side looks bit unusual, and I'm not sure where to disconnect. I'm going to get a part tonight and try to fix it. Any help would be appreciated.

[94_240sx]

Well... I'll answer to my own question. Front sway bar had to be removed to disconnect lower end. Space was too tight to have an enough leverage. That bolt was damn tight, so you will need some elbow grease. I struggled at first, but everything went smooth after I removed sway bar. Top one(pump side) was easy. Just make sure to get 2 washers for the bolt. Disconnect bottom one first, drain oil and disconnect top. I hope this helps someone in the future.

[amolao]

Good, your engine looks pretty clean. Thats a plus when detecting leaks. That hose tends to leak due to the high pressure it deals with. Replace with new one and bleed the pump. Just start filling the reservoir while turning the wheel slightly left and right while watching the level. Top it off and you are done.

[94_240sx]

Thanks!! Believe it or not, I replaced another small hose attached to reservoir 6 months ago. I am working on PS system... Again...

[kamikazestorm420]

Good, your engine looks pretty clean. Thats a plus when detecting leaks. That hose tends to leak due to the high pressure it deals with. Replace with new one and bleed the pump. Just start filling the reservoir while turning the wheel slightly left and right while watching the level. Top it off and you are done.

seriously? wtf? its so clean! the previous owner didnt change the oil pan, front seal, rear seal, or the valve cover gasket, so when i got my car engine by is dipped with leaking oil. it even went on my rear sways.

[GrilledCheese33]

ummm, its not good on the system to turn it full anyway so i wouldn't really worry about the leak if thats the only time it leaks

[babowc]

nice.. now ijust need to go out and break those nuts free and take em to a hydraulics place so i can FINALLY get my car running..

did you use oem replacements or another type?i plan on going with ss braided lines.. since they can hold up more psi than the oem..

[94_240sx]

I used oem part. I'm keeping this car for a while, so I wanted to fix it rather than leaving it that way. BTW, I noticed that outside finish of new hose is different than the old one. Maybe Nissan improved the quality or something? I hope so. New hose comes with the harness and metal line that bolts on to steering rack already attached, but I have to remove lots of stuff to replace this whole thing, so I ditched the metal line and just replaced the hose.

My car also had bad oil leaks(crank seal, valve cover...etc) when I got it in 1999, but I cleaned up little by little whenever I jack up my car especially under the car. Degreaser and brush work wonders. It's absolutely easy to detect leaks and work on if engine room is clean.

P.S.: According to FSM, torque for the big banjo bolt was 69-78 and make sure to get new washers(2 of them) for it. DO NOT strip lower end bolt that attached to the metal line. It'll be very hard for you to replace it if you strip it.

[mrbass]

how do you remover the lower end bolt, when i try it, the hard line move,in what direction i must move the Screws?its the same direction of all screws or vice?

thanks men

[babowc]

its same with all screws.

on my car.. the current one, i had to replace the hose and i ended up using a vice b/c the hardline nut got rounded.oh well.. it holds fine though

[Shift_Tommy]

I used oem part. I'm keeping this car for a while, so I wanted to fix it rather than leaving it that way. BTW, I noticed that outside finish of new hose is different than the old one. Maybe Nissan improved the quality or something? I hope so. New hose comes with the harness and metal line that bolts on to steering rack already attached, but I have to remove lots of stuff to replace this whole thing, so I ditched the metal line and just replaced the hose.

My car also had bad oil leaks(crank seal, valve cover...etc) when I got it in 1999, but I cleaned up little by little whenever I jack up my car especially under the car. Degreaser and brush work wonders. It's absolutely easy to detect leaks and work on if engine room is clean.

P.S.: According to FSM, torque for the big banjo bolt was 69-78 and make sure to get new washers(2 of them) for it. DO NOT strip lower end bolt that attached to the metal line. It'll be very hard for you to replace it if you strip it.

How much did the oem part cost you? I want to replace my housealong with the metal line as well.

[babowc]

if you;re going to replace the hardline running from the H/P line to the rack.. its going to be a BIT*H to take it out of the little rubber holding thing..

i suggestt you only replace the H/P line from the PS pump down to where it meets the hardline.that should run you about 120-150bux @ your local Nissan stealership

[Shift_Tommy]

Actually, i tried to remove it before and yes it is a bit*ch to remove. But I figured I could replace it if i removed the power steering and a/c pumps. Then i would be able to remove the bracket on the crossmember. BTW, do you ahve the part number for the line including the hard line as well?

[babowc]

sorry, dont have the part #, but you can jst go to the dealership and ask them if they have it and they'll know.

the hardline you really shouldnt have to replace.

[94_240sx]

How much did the oem part cost you? I want to replace my housealong with the metal line as well.

Like babowc said it runs $120-150. I think I paid $125 or something like that. from the local dealership. I only needed pressure hose, but hardline came with it. I ditched the hardline and just replaced pressure hose.

[94_240sx]

Actually, i tried to remove it before and yes it is a bit*ch to remove. But I figured I could replace it if i removed the power steering and a/c pumps. Then i would be able to remove the bracket on the crossmember. BTW, do you ahve the part number for the line including the hard line as well?

You have to use 2 small wenches to disconnect hose and hardline. They are bolt together pretty good, so you have to use some elbow grease. If you drop the front sway bar, things will be much easier. I also wanted to replace hardline, but soon found out it's not worth the labor.

babowc knows well about P/S system, so listen to him. IIRC he had problems with hose and pump, so he had to redo them a couple of times.

[SHIFT_Slide]

I just replaced my line three days ago, that nut on the hardline was a PITA, I just got out the torch and heated it up some, came off pretty easy. It's weird though, because I had enough room and I didnt have to take off the swaybar.

[DjPantsSpecR]

this is not something you're gonna want to hear its a definite ghetto rig.

but as a temporary fix, i know because the exact same thing happened to me a month ago, you can wrap it up with electrical tape. you ahve to do this pretty well. then, you put about four or five hose clamps right next to, or slightly on top of each other. you have to make sure to have hose clamps before and after the crack to keep the crack from propegating.

can hoseclamps and e-tape handle 1400psi? yes, it has for the past month, as im not willing to throwo down the buckfifty of a new line. you rarely drive at full lock, so you'll almost never develop this kind of pressure, but at least ps fluid is shooting all over my header now. no one lieks to see their car smoke.