Leaky Power Steering

[OGRES]

So the hose that goes from the power steering pump to the steering box appears to be leaking pretty bad. I believe the rubber hose has cracked right around the fitting where it transitions to the metal piping.

Some PO has replaced the original engine with a Chevy 350. It doesn't appear that the steering pump and steering box are anything but original parts.

So what is the best replacement hose available? How hard is it to remove the existing hose and replace it, including draining the fluid and replacing?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[sdsupilot]

GM 4.3 swap here. I used a oreillys replacement CJ power steering hose (few years old with the a AMC 258) and the S10 factory hose. Both of these the pressure side. Return side just uses a hose clamp at the pump and was fine with the swap.

I took both pressure side hoses to a local custom hose shop. They cut the jeep pump end off and spliced the old GM pump side onto the jeep hose if that makes sense. It was less than $20 and the swivel makes alignment easy. I dont have a picture, but the original/replacement jeep hose had power steering pump end clearance issues with my GM pump on the exhaust manifolds. The S10 bends "hug" the power steering pump.

Changing the hoses can be easy if they pop loose. When I replaced the original hose I couldn't break the hose loose on the steering box. I ended up using a wood chisel to cut the aluminum tubing (without shavings) so I could use a 6 point socket. No problems after the initial struggle though.

 

[walkerhoundvm]

Changing the hoses can be easy if they pop loose. When I replaced the original hose I couldn't break the hose loose on the steering box. I ended up using a wood chisel to cut the aluminum tubing (without shavings) so I could use a 6 point socket. No problems after the initial struggle though.

I think SDSU is leaving out some very valuable information. Changing the PS hoses from the gear box is something you won't want to do twice. If your front clip is off, fine - shouldn't be an issue. If you're working with something on the hoof with a grill and radiator still attached...God help you. Not only is it in a really tight spot, threading those fittings into the box can be a real nightmare.

 

[OGRES]

I think SDSU is leaving out some very valuable information. Changing the PS hoses from the gear box is something you won't want to do twice. If your front clip is off, fine - shouldn't be an issue. If you're working with something on the hoof with a grill and radiator still attached...God help you. Not only is it in a really tight spot, threading those fittings into the box can be a real nightmare.

Front clip is all in place right now. I have big hands too, so that sounds like it is going to suck.

 

[Spieg]

If you remove the mounting bolts for the radiator and put a 2x4 under it to lift/hold up a little it helps access the hose fittings a little.

 

[walkerhoundvm]

Front clip is all in place right now. I have big hands too, so that sounds like it is going to suck.

Not so much difficult as it is frustrating. The threads are fine, so getting them seated just right is a challenge, never mind you have to work in a limited space.

 

[sdsupilot]

I did leave out much of the not fun details... 7 years helps you forget how much of a pain it was.

It is much easier with the front clip off. As walker and spieg noted, access sucks. I used the 2x4 method mentioned above.

 

[OGRES]

Thank you all for the replies. It might make sense to get everything taken off and then put back together again to do it right.