power steering fluid leak

[AZQ45]

The 'ol Q seems to be using up (more like spitting out) power steering fluid at a rapid pace. I will have to track how much I am dumping in and at what intervals, but....It seems that every 3 or 4 days it needs to be topped off. The fluid is an inch or so below the bottom of the filler filter basket. The signal to check is, of course, that horrible starved PS pump whine upon morning start-up.

What might it cost to get new PS hoses installed ( I am only assuming this is the problem)?

[DAEDALUS]

I'll guess the seals on the rack are going bad and that you'll need a rebuilt one for about $350. Take a peek under there and see where the fluid's coming from. I'll bet it's leaking from the rubber boot(s).

[firstq]

The two main power steering hoses were expensive ($209 & $65)and my understanding is that you can only get 'em from the dealer (can be wrong). I got these prices over the phone so there is chance of error here.

When mine started leaking I just replaced the fasteners on both the hoses and have been okay since then - try to give it a shot. On the main hose I had to put 2 fasteners to make it really stop leaking - with the age these hoses get almost rick rock with no flexibility making it hard to hlod onto the metal fittings under pressure.

Good luck

[Q451990]

There's a huge maze of p/s hoses under your Q. If you've never replaced the hoses in and out of the fluid tank, I'd check there first. Best thing you can do is get the car up on stands or a lift. Clean everything up with brake parts cleaner, start the car, have someone turn the steering wheel to the stop, and look for the fluid. Never keep the wheels to the stop for more than 10-15 seconds. If it's a high presure line, you'll see it dripping or squirting out. Hoses in and out of the tank will be oily and grity, but probably won't squirt out fluid.

Heath

[Professor_Mike]

If you need hoses you can take the hose to a hydraulic shop and have the rubber hose replaced. Usually much cheaper.

[AZQ45]

THanks all. If I have some time this weekend I will get under the car. He car seems to need a couple ounces every second day.

The leak is front left...right around the oil filter area. I now have to carry a quart of ATF in my trunk. Oh well.

[Aus94Q45]

I had a leak in the same area. It was coming out of the bottom of the reservior around the hoses. I moved the original clamps to a new spot in the hose and added strap type clamps below them. Problem solved. Of course this was after the dealer quoted $500 to replace the hoses. While I am sure that the hoses will need replacement soon, that was two years ago and my $ .49 fix has worked fine. Hope that yours is as easy.

[reggiegsd]

I found I was having to tighten the power steering hose clamps on each oil change. 300ZX was the same way. I finally ended up with new worm and roller clamps with a drip of "LocTight" to hold them. Must be a Nissan thing.

The 300ZX has a nifty power steering cooler with a filter. I wonder if that will fit the Q?

[AZQ45]

Pinhole leak about an inch from the lower compression fitting in the lower power steering hose. Shooting a nice fountain of fluid when you turn the wheel lock-to-lock.

No fix for that...need a new hose. I will assume this is the $200 hose!

[firstq]

AZQ45 - I got mine replaced while the guides were fixed last week - the part cost was $40 (OEM) - better confirm.

[AZQ45]

JUST CHECKED - $157. Bummer, but what can you do (short of getting a new G35).

High pressure hose with banjo fittings.

[Q451990]

To echo the good professor, you might be able to have the hose rebuilt locally in some instances. You might look under "hydraulic hose repair" in the yellow pages...

Heath

[DAEDALUS]

The PS pump is leaking on my '90 Q. Anyone else have this problem in the past? I'm wondering if it needs to be rebuilt or if the odds are that I just need to install a new gasket. How big a job am I looking at?