Power Steering pump

[georryan]

So that little rubber hose that goes from the hard line to the power steering pump resevoir is leaking. What is the easiest and cleanest way to change that thing?

-Ryan

[vrg3]

I think it would go something like this:

Wipe the cap and top of the reservoir with a clean rag.

Remove the cap and then pull out the little strainer that protects the reservoir from crud falling in it.

Take a turkey baster or large syringe and use it to transfer all the fluid out of the reservoir.

Undo the bolts holding the hard lines to the passenger side of the intake manifold. I believe they have 10mm heads.

Use pliers to squeeze the clamps on that hose and move them out of the way.

Pull the hose off. I think you can do this without undoing the high-pressure fitting (the one towards the front of the pump).

Replace the hose with a new piece of power steering hose.

Put the clamps back on, bolt the lines back to the manifold, put the strainer back in, and fill the reservoir with fluid.

Start the car and check for leaks.

Burp air out of the system by slowly turning the steering wheel all the way to the lock, holding it for a second, and then slowly turning it all the way to the other lock and holding it for a second. Repeat a couple of times.

Top off the fluid if necessary, and put the cap back on.

So... the big question is: where do you get a replacement for that piece of hose? A dealer could get you a replacement for probably around ten bucks, but if you can figure out the diameter an auto parts store may have bulk hydraulic hose that would work.

[georryan]

Well that doesn't sound too bad. Hopefully the two hard lines (the one going to the pump and the one going to the resevoir) can be seperated once I disconnect them from the intake manifold. It may be hard to get that hose off otherwise.

What is the strength of most hydraulic hoses? What other hoses could I put in it's place? (aka fuel hose?)

[vrg3]

I don't know, but I wouldn't use fuel hose. I would say to definitely use power steering hose or some other hose specified for hydraulics.

Actually, I just took a look at Gates' web site and it looks like what you need is 3 inches of 3/8" power steering hose. I would expect any auto parts store to have some; they may insist on selling you a full foot or two or three though.

[georryan]

Thanks Vikash!

What is Gates' website? It is not familiar to me.

[vrg3]

Gates is a rubber parts manufacturer with a great online catalog:

http://www.gates.com/part_locator/index ... on_id=3002

[georryan]

Well, I dropped in to Reibes and the lady told me to just pocket the hose.

I was able to replace it fairly quickly without incident. Now, if only the exhaust shop can finish fabricating the cat I got from them I'll be good to go.

-Ryan

[vrg3]

Noice.