power steering leak

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Nov 14, 2013 | 04:36 PM

adamkat22

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power steering leak

i have an 85 e350 van and when i turn the wheel sharp i get fluid spraying out of the connection where the hard line from behind the pulley meets the soft line. having trouble researching how to fix it because i don't know what that line is.

is that something that will only spray when i make sharp turns? i'm wondering if i can get away with doing a short commute with the van until i have a chance to fix it this weeken or if i that could turn into disaster?

also, don't know if its related, but i've probably had a very small power steering fluid leak for the 2 or so years i've had this van. the other week when i went to fill teh resevoir i think i overfilled a little. probably not related but thought i'd mention it.

thanks for any help everyone.

Nov 14, 2013 | 06:31 PM

airdale94

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From: Topeka,Ks.

If it shoots out it's the high pressure line. It's a steel and high press. rubber line. It will go from the pump to gearbox.

Nov 14, 2013 | 08:23 PM

adamkat22

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great thanks. looks like advanced sells a replacement line for $20. ends up i couldn't find any info on installing the new one so i assume it will be self explanatory? i'll pick up the hose tomorrow. if there is anythign i should know about installation let me know...

Nov 15, 2013 | 11:00 AM

ericconn

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From: Balt. Co, MD

It's pretty easy, you'll lose fluid so have a drip pan or something like that, and it might be a tight fit working in the engine bay, so patience is a good thing to have.

Nov 15, 2013 | 06:17 PM

airdale94

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From: Topeka,Ks.

I'm not sure on the years but ford liked to use those teflon seals on the line. Patience is required. It will seem like it's to small, warming it between your fingers will help. Sometimes once you get them on it seems ruined. But I've never had one leak.

Nov 16, 2013 | 12:54 AM

Dark Horse

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It should be pretty self explanatory buy a couple of cans of brake cleaner and clean the area around the connections before you take them apart I would start at the steering sector end first The hardest part is usually getting the hose fitting started in the steering sector if you have it started right the fitting will thread in most of the way with just your fingers I would wait to tighten it until I had the PS pump end connected then tighten both ends to finish once the fittings are snug (just over finger tight) should take about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn to seal the connection.
if you can get a set I recommend using tube wrenches (looks like a box end wrench with a notch cut to go around the tube)it can be done with open end wrenches but the fittings are mild steel and will round off or deform if you get to energetic.

Mark

Nov 16, 2013 | 01:04 AM

Dark Horse

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I forgot to mention If you pull the driver side wheel there is a gap between the fender well and the frame that you can get to the steering sector through I have had to do that on some pickups and not on others.