Leaky Power Steering Hoses

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marcfj60

marcfj60

15 Year
Joined
Oct 1, 2006
Threads
210
Messages
4,507
Location
Sandia Park, NM
I was under my '99 this weekend and noticed a fresh oil spot on the passenger side lower control arm. Directly above that area are the hoses going to/from the PS fluid reservoir, which sits on the top of the PS fender. The hoses are covered in dirt and fresh, shiny liquid (assumed to be PS fluid). But the tank still has most of the fluid in it so it's not leaking out quickly. I'm guessing that the 15-year old hoses and spring clamps are no longer doing their job of keeping the fluid inside. Has anyone else experienced this? Can I just put better clamps on or should go through the hassle of replacing the hoses with fresh ones?
 
Mine are doing the same thing. I believe its just the hoses but I haven't looked further into it.
 
You can try cleaning everything up and readjusting the clamps (moving them one way or the other a bit). I think the real problem is probably the hose. Moving the clamp has worked on different areas of my LX when I've noticed small seepage.
 
Good thought. If I shift the clamp by 90 degrees around the hose or possibly down 1/8" then it might squeeze a little harder where the hose doesn't have the permanent set from the last 15 years.
 
I had this problem over 2 years ago. Ordered all the new hoses and etc. Didn't have the opportunity at that time to install so I gently tightened the clamps and cleaned the hoses up.

Problem solved.

Leak stopped and hoses still in the garage.

I'll get to them some day but didn't see a pressing need when the leak stopped.
 
My 2000 started doing the same thing, leaking from the upper hose on the PS reservoir. I could literally turn the hose with ease because the spring clamp had no tension. I cleaned everything up and changed it to a hose clamp. Now no leaks...
 
Mine has this same problem. The fluid will occasionally spray and leave a burning fluid smell but the lfluid level has remained the same. I need to get the hose clamps and fix it.
 
Did you guys see any residue in the engine compartment? My resevoir and all around it has that shiny fluid and dust/dirt caked look. I thought it was the cap of the resevoir...guess I'll double check the hoses clamps! It hasn't been high on the priority list because the fluid level hasn't changed.
 
I've had some burning smells and my mess is all concentrated at the bottom of the reservoir and down the hoses.
 
aaronrules said:
Did you guys see any residue in the engine compartment? My resevoir and all around it has that shiny fluid and dust/dirt caked look. I thought it was the cap of the resevoir...guess I'll double check the hoses clamps! It hasn't been high on the priority list because the fluid level hasn't changed.
Click to expand...

When I bought mine there was caked whatnot from the reservoir hose leak. I did t worry about it for a while then switched to better clamps when I cycled new fluid. Cleaned up the general area and haven't had a problem. There was a dealer quote from the po for something like 400++.
 
I figured out the quick fix for the oozing fluid. Go on a long drive on really dusty roads and the dust will stick to the hoses and absorb all the wet fluid for a while.
 
Ok I will try those clamp trick also. I thought it was gonna be a tough fix as I suspected it was the high pressure line.
 
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