Leaking Power Steering Lines

[pittstar63]

I have a 1998 I30 that started leaking power steering fluid at the connections where the lines transitioned from rubber to steel in the very front of the radiator. I tried tightening the stock clamps, but they ran out of adjustment and the leaking continued. I replaced the rubber lines with new power steering-rated lines and stainless steel hose clamps. The connection points still leaked. I replaced the hose clamps with yet another clamp and they leak as well. Are there some sort of special clamps I need to get in order for these connection points not to leak? I have a bunch of oil marks in my driveway and need to get this taken care of. Any thoughts will be taken into consideration.

Thanks.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

I thought my wifes 98 maxima was leaking PS fluid until ichecked the back valve cover and it was leaking right on top of the PS hose and pump.

Are you adding PS fluid? That might determine if it is trulyleaking

[pittstar63]

Yes, I have been adding PS fluid every other day to keep it full. There is definite leaking at the four connections where the lines change from steel to rubber and back to steel again. I am afraid to tighten the clamps any more than I already have as I know they will break on me when I am far from my garage.

[maxhopper]

Usually retightening the clamps does the trick. But if you've already done that and it's still leaking, it's probably time to replace the hoses.

[pittstar63]

I replaced the hoses when the original clamps couldn't be tightened enough to stop the leaking. I just ordered 4 new clamps from Infiniti and will try them out at soon as they get in. They are a bit different as they appear to uniformly tighten all the way around the hose, unlike many other clamps that do not tighten uniformly. I hope that make a difference because it is making a mess everywhere I go.

Thanks for your input and I will post my results as soon as I can.

[pittstar63]

Okay, so I purchased the OEM clamps from Infiniti at $6 each. I installed them with new power steering hose sections and tightened the clamps as tight as they could possibly go and I still have leaks at all four connections. I just don't get it. Should I be using a specially sized power steering hose? It fits snugly over the steel lines and I slide it on all the way to the raised part of the steel line and tighten the clamps and start the car and turn the wheel to put pressure on the system and simply watch all these reddish-purple drops at each of the four connections. It is enough to drive me nuts.

Help!

[allensteiner]

snuggly doesn't cut it, if you have a slight problem sliding the new hose onto the line and especially over the lip - you have a good diameter hose. the power steering is highly pressurised so you need a hose that seems to be too tight to fit.

[pittstar63]

Does the power steering hose have to fit over the raised portion of the steel line? I thought that was a stopping point for the hose to rest against. I checked with Infiniti and they told me that the power steering hose they sell is the same as the hose I could find at any other parts store. I had picked up a section of PS hose from Advanced Auto and had been using that. I would say that it slides over relatively easy, but is by no means loose.

Thoughts?

[allensteiner]

it has to go over the lip and that's where you need to put the clamp too. that makes a tight seal and prevents the hose from slipping off.

as an example feel the fuel line on top of the fuel filter - you'll feel the lip under the hose.

[pittstar63]

i understand what you are saying, but there is one slight problem - the clamp that holds the cooling line in front of the radiator is clamped right next to the lip on the steel lines. i never moved this clamp, so i know that the original hose never went over the lips on the steel lines. i will try this again and see what happens . . .

[allensteiner]

do it

[pittstar63]

here is the latest . . . all 4 steel line connections have a lip at the end of the steel line and a raised bump about an inch in from the end of the line. i went to advance auto and picked up two different size fuel injection line clamps. i tried each of these just beyond the lip at the end of the steel lines. each time with each clamp i had leaks. this is amazing. i went back to the new oem clamps and tightened them to the maximum the would go and each connection point is still dripping ps fluid. i am beginning to wonder if there are different sized ps hoses and the one i have is just a tad too big. it fits tightly over the steel lines but i definitely don't have to force it. i am about ready to take it to a service center to get the leaks stopped, but i am not sure what they would do differently than what i have already done . . .

[allensteiner]

what does the steel pipe look like, the upper or lower drawing? anyways the hose can't just slip on fairly easily. if you curse at least once putting it on over the lip you might have the right size hose. they do come in diferent sizes and shouldn't be easy to put on.

[pittstar63]

the steel pipes look like the lower drawing - there is a lip at the end and then a raised bump that i would say is a stopping point for the hose about an inch from the lip. i put the clamps as close to the lip as possible. on the other oem clamps for the ps system, they seem to be placed in this fashion as well. i will go to a napa store today to see if they have any different size ps hose than what i got at advance auto. i have a hard time believing that fuel clamps, stainless steel hose clamps, and the oem clamps are not working. it must be the hose, but it is power steering return hose and seems to fit okay.

btw - i have started using words i am unsure of the meaning of and even combinations of those words - so i know this has been one very frustrating event.

[allensteiner]

don't worry about the words. at least unlike a lot of people posting questions you give a lot of detils which are helpful

now...i'm guessing that you were putting the hose clamps on between the lip and the bump on the line. regular hose clamps do the trick so it must be the hose diameter itself. sometimes the outside diameter will be the same but inner will vary thus causing a problem.

one more thing is the spacing between the lip and bump on the line might be too short for the width of the clamp. it'll cause the hose not to tighten right on the line. if there's room to put a clamp on the hose past the lip and the bump on a flat part of the line - do it.

i hope i'm somewhat clear because i kinda lost myself here

[pittstar63]

the width of the space between the lip and the bump is more than wide enough for any of the clamps i have tried. each attempt has been in between these two landmarks. i am running to napa to see if they have something with a small i.d. than what i have. i will let you know. btw - my email is [email protected] if that makes this easier.

[Estar]

Is there anymore info regarding this issue?? I'm in the same situation with my 1995 maxima! Replaced flex lines with 3 different types of high pressure line and different types of clamps, picked up factory shaped power steering lines and OEM clamps, replaced, bled system of air with all new Dex II and the lines are still leaking at both ends of flex connections... Any help would be appreciated!

[ef9]

Unless there is a problem with your power steering pump in which high pressure fluid is entering your return line? Could also be a defective steering rack?