Blown PS Line????

[Toyotaoh]

I went to start my 1996 LC and fluid started blowing out the front. It appears to be coming from a junction between a rubber hose and metal tube below the radiator. It appears to smell like PS fluid...unfortuenatly with the snow it turns brown but it does have a redish hue where it is leaking from.

There are to metal tubes that join with rubber hoses under the radiator. The leak is from the top. I assume these are the "to and from lines" from the steering rack (or whatever it has). Assuming a split rubber hose, is there a bleeding procedure once it is relaced? I did it once on my Merecedes and I had jack the front and bleed it by turning the wheel back and forth.

Also, will this be a dealer item or parts store (or online)?

 

[blkprj80]

Those are transmission cooler lines.
You probably don't want to know the price. They are high $ from the dealer.
I used 3/8 transmission cooler line from a parts house. Shop around, some fit better than others.

 

[Otamiway]

It could also be lines to the PS "Paper Clip" cooler. Your 96 should have ATF in the power steering.

Pics would help.

 

[Toyotaoh]

I have this pic I am trying to post...lets see if this worked

 

[Toyotaoh]

Nope- hate to ask, but how do I post pics?

 

[Otamiway]

Nope- hate to ask, but how do I post pics?

Need to do an advanced post, at the bottom will be a button to manage attachments.

 

[Toyotaoh]

Thanks- here is a pic. Keep in mind it is upside down, so the leak is coming from the junction, which in this photo, is one the bottom (but its really the top).

 

[Mark W]

To be honest as I sit here at the computer right now I'm not exactly sure what that is a picture of... but I have seen several 80s suffer a failure of the low pressure return line to the metal lines which function as a cooler for the power steering.

In extreme cold weather cold power steering fluid offers much greater resistance to flow due to increased viscosity until it warms up. This creates pressure in the return line which is nominally is not supposed to see any pressure.

If this is where your failure is it can be replaced with a piece of fuel injection grade fuel line. Do not use a low pressure fuel line or it will fail again the next time you encounter extremely cold weather.

If that is in fact what we are looking at in this picture... the hoses to and from the metal line which functions as the cooler for the power steering... it appears that someone has replaced them it sometime in the past with generic fuel line grade hose. The factory lines are formed and utilize a OEM clamp rather than the screw type hose clamps in your picture.

 

[blkprj80]

I don't think those are transmission cooler lines any more. I misread your post, and thought they went into the radiator, not under it. Sorry.
Have you tried just turning the screws in the clamps a bit more? That might get you to warmer weather season.

Could you tell us where this picture was taken, like looking toward the front, or...? I've been all sorts of places under my '96 and I'm having a hard time telling where this is.

 

[Delancy]

Think that's some PO cobbling.

Two clamps per end?? That ain't OE.

There's a frame clip, unused, too.

Can see where the hose dislodged ( I think ) based on the clean line. That's quite a distance for a hose to lap, if similar joints on mine are any indication of OE.

The bleeding procedure would be similar to your description, too.

 

[86tuning]

Think that's some PO cobbling.

Yep. somebody's been in there and monkeyed around.

Trace the hoses back to the other end. If they go to the transmission, they're tranny cooler hoses. If they go to the p/s then obviously p/s hoses.

Looks like somebody has decided to try to bypass the factory 'paperclip' p/s cooler.

Cannot tell without further investigation.

And, what Mark W said, but I would prefer using AN hose which will hold very high pressures and is compatible with fuels and oils.

HTH.

 

[Wiscolandcruiser]

Looks like you need to replace all the low pressure hoses, you can use 3/8 tranny cooler hose. I belive one of those lines go to the cooler from the steering gear, then from the outlet back to the resevoir. How's the condition of your cooler they sometimes rust out:l At that point it may be a good idea to check the high pressure hose and replace if necess.

Sent from my busted to s*** EVO4G

 

[Wiscolandcruiser]

Think that's some PO cobbling.

Two clamps per end?? That ain't OE.

There's a frame clip, unused, too.

Can see where the hose dislodged ( I think ) based on the clean line. That's quite a distance for a hose to lap, if similar joints on mine are any indication of OE.

The bleeding procedure would be similar to your description, too.

I was gonna say I beleive those 2 lines have a bracket that keeps them bolted to the frame behind the high pressure hose.
Looks like it was ghetto rigged, do yourself a favor and replace those hoses ASAP driving around in these with no ps sucks. Your gonna feel like you've been beating your meat for the last 48 hours. Best of luck

Sent from my busted to s*** EVO4G

 

[blkprj80]

Okay, at least now I know where he was looking. Had to get back to my machine to get orientated.

Looks like someone cut the lines to the original paper clip cooler and routed them to a aftermarket cooler (hopefully, and not just a loop of hose...), or, these hoses go back into the engine bay? I don't know, and that upside down picture screws me up.

That would explain the double hose clamp (hope to hell it works, but it won't) trick.

Here's what one would look like if unmolested:

 

[Toyotaoh]

Thanks all- circling back around on this. Winter weather has prevented me from tackling this. I was taking a look at hoses this morning. They do indeed go to a paperclip type loop that I assume based on your posts is likely aftermarket.

The hose it self does not appear to have ruptured rather is the union itself between the hose and the paperclip cooler. That being said, I can replace the hoses, but what can I do insure a permanent union between the hoses and the paperclip cooler besides the adjustable clamp method the PO used?

 

[Wiscolandcruiser]

I would pick up an oem paperclip cooler and all associated mounting hardwear, used of course its in the 300$ range new. Check the classifieds in the parting out section for a used one in good shape and isnt rusted to piss, also would be a good time to replace all the low pressure hoses, I just used some 3/8 tranny cooler line. Its a bitch to get on but I just boiled the hose for a few minutes put a touch of oil on the end slides right on with some work. Otherwise have fun finding some 10mm hose to replace it with, thats what mr. t uses from the factory. 18 inches should do you, and about 10 inches of 5/8 for the hose from the resevoir to the pump.

Sent from my busted to s*** EVO4G

 

[86tuning]

, I just used some 3/8 tranny cooler line. Its a bitch to get on but I just boiled the hose for a few minutes put a touch of oil on the end slides right on with some work.

Yep. It's a fight fit alright. Hot water and lube does help a bit. But it's still a fight.