PS line removal driving me nuts! S13

[carcrazyguy]

I searched all over and nobody seems to have had the same issue as me. I am in the process of putting a new high pressure PS line in my S13. I removed the banjo bolt at hte pump, and disconnected the line right behind the crossmember at the other end. I then expected the line to drop right out...but no. Then I noticed a few "holders". I was able to remove all of them except one...which apparently has a screw that I cannot seem to find, feel, etc.Is there any writeup anyone knows about that may instruct me better on this? It is only one stinking holder thing keeping the line in the car!

[positron1]

Try this thread Power Steering Pressure Hose Replacement zerothread?id=241485If we are talking about the same thing, there is a small 10mm screw holding that bracket there. It's hard to see but it is there.

[carcrazyguy]

Thanks! When I searched I was looking for "power steering lines" so that link never came up.

Anyway, that is the bolt I cannot find. It was pretty darkish where I was working, plus that area is caked with AT fluid so I could not see anything. That post makes things clearer, but still doens't give me a clue as to where the bolt is. Is it behind the bracket, below it, or what...and how can I get to it...anyone?

[positron1]

Go back to the thread and look at the third picture down. You can see where I have my 10mm wrench tucked in. That 10mm bolt is between the metal bracket and that hump where the motor mount is. Just follow where my wrench is with your fingers first and you will feel it. You said that it was darkish. You should check again when you have adequate light because the bolt is hard to see but trust me it's there.

[carcrazyguy]

Go back to the thread and look at the third picture down. You can see where I have my 10mm wrench tucked in. That 10mm bolt is between the metal bracket and that hump where the motor mount is. Just follow where my wrench is with your fingers first and you will feel it. You said that it was darkish. You should check again when you have adequate light because the bolt is hard to see but trust me it's there.

Cool, I will try in the morning. Another issues is that my (stock) car has tons of stuff in the way when looking from the top...and some of it is not practicle to remove (AC lines for example). Regardless, now that I know where the bolt is, I can surely get it off sooner or later. THANKS!

[positron1]

Oh yeah, I keep forgeting about that. It does make a lot of difference with that stuff in the way.

[carcrazyguy]

I am still adjusting to the engine bay as my last 240 was a 90...and it was a lot more open than the DOHC I have now. Either way, I cannot complain...ever seen a Z32 engine bay? Luckily they rarely ever break...as something as simple as valve cover gasket replacement will take several hours!

[positron1]

Hmm, the resevoir is on the other side also, things could be slightly different from mine, I had a '90 but I can't remember.

[Hijacker]

I can confirm that bolt is a pain to get to. More than likely you have a decade's worth of road grime up on that bolt, which is why you're having issues finding it. try cleaning the area off and then searching for it again.

[positron1]

+1 for that! A clean engine bay and undercarraige makes working on the car much easier!

[carcrazyguy]

Quote »can confirm that bolt is a pain to get to. More than likely you have a decade's worth of road grime up on that bolt, which is why you're having issues finding it. try cleaning the area off and then searching for it again.[/quote]The biggest problem was the leak in the PS hose, as it was geting fluid all over everything on that side of the engine bay. It was mixing with dirt and sticking to everything. On top of that, you really cannot see the same area as in the pic (with everything removed). Anyway, I am getting ready to go out and attempt the bolt removal again and will update later.

[jdm_master_X]

just move the A/C pump out the way for easier access.

[positron1]

The biggest problem was the leak in the PS hose, as it was geting fluid all over everything on that side of the engine bay. It was mixing with dirt and sticking to everything. On top of that, you really cannot see the same area as in the pic (with everything removed). Anyway, I am getting ready to go out and attempt the bolt removal again and will update later.

Take some plastic bags/trash bags and cover up components under your bay like the distributor, air filter, battery, spark plug wells, etc. Get under there with some diluted cleaner like Purple Power/Simple Green and spray the crap out of it, scrub a dub dub and wash it out with a garden hose.

[carcrazyguy]

Take some plastic bags/trash bags and cover up components under your bay like the distributor, air filter, battery, spark plug wells, etc. Get under there with some diluted cleaner like Purple Power/Simple Green and spray the crap out of it, scrub a dub dub and wash it out with a garden hose.

I did some cleaning and got to the point where I could see the bolt. Even then it was still a total PITA. I had to get just the right length wrech, and could only get maybe 1/8 turn on the bolt at a time and then I would have to reposition the wrench, which usually took about 20 seconds per try. To make it worse, the wrench would fall under the car about every 3 or so turns. Bottom line, it took about 30 minutes of hell just to get that bolt off. Also, it is near impossible to separate the suspect holder bracket on-car in the case of mine with the Ac lines and hard exhaust bypipes intact. That took quite a few more minutes.Then I realized another issue - there are so many hoses, lines, etc in the way where the PS line will not come out, as part of it is hard and has a specific shape with bends in it. After 10 minutes of twisting, turning, etc, it finally came out. Now the big issue is getting the replacement hose / lines back in which really is looking like the hardest thing yet! I had to walk away for a while as I have been at it for a couple hours and getting very little done other than getting mad.Bottom line, to use the post positrone made, you literally would have to have everything off of your car as he does. Otherwise the AC system and all emissions would need to be removed, as well as the intake and related stuff (which I did). This is one of those deals where if Haynes made a manual for the 240, it would have you pulling everything off on that side of the bay just to replace the line(s). This might actually be one situation where it would be justified, even though it usually isn't with the Haynes books. I absolutely hate taking my cars to mechanics for any reason, but had I known in advance how this was going to be, I would have!

[carcrazyguy]

After 2 more days of hell under the car I finally have everything back together..except for a couple things. For one, I have not out the holder back on - the one with the hidden bolt. I will probably make that a project in itself and do it tomorrow.Also there is another holder with a bracket. I cannot remember where it went...can anyone refresh me, or at least tell me where I can find an underside pic?

[positron1]

Sorry about the tough time with that thing man. I had a very hard time with mine too but you are just gettin' dogged! I feel your pain! You are probably talking about the lower bracket that holds the pressure hose to the tension rod bracket, at least on a DE. I'm assuming that it's the same place on a E just on the opposite side. Good luck!

[carcrazyguy]

Hopefully someone can tell me where this goes...



The whole job was so frustrating that I totally forgot where I took this from. This is not the bracket where the hidden bolt is (even though I have not put it on yet either). I am guessing this was somewhere on the driver's side where the two lines run together across the front, but I cannot find anywhere to attach it. So hopefully someone can peek under their car and let me know where this goes!