I just yanked my power steering pump due to a leak coming from inside the bracket. I assume the seal attaching the reservoir to the pump is leaking. I'll decide whether to buy a pump assembly or just replace the seals when I pull the wheel (ran out of time). The reservoir "wobbles" easily.

My question is about the low pressure line. The rubber hose going to the metal line is very loose. I can slide it about 1/4 inch and it spins freely. It seems pretty loose to me. It also appears the rubber line has a special clamp which is not intended to be replaced. Is this normal to be loose? If it leaks can I dremel off the clamp and use a hose clamp? I don't think it was leaking previously but it's hard to say since the pump was leaking so badly, a quart of fluid in less than 300 miles! Sorry for my ignorance but it seems easier to address it with the pump off rather than do it if or when I realize it leaks.

 

I couldn't say for sure on the rubber line moving freely- that doesn't sound normal but I just don't know w/out a picture- but what I can tell you is that a hose clamp is not a good idea.

Even if it does hold, fluid would constantly leak due to the pressure. It would be similar to using a hose clamp on a brake line- just doesn't work.

I would think, at the most, you're looking at $20 for a new line- if no one else can tell you whether it's okay or not, at least you won't be losing too much money in a new line.

 

Hose clamp is just fine on the low pressure side. Its only a hose clamp holding the other end of that line to your PS pump. No it should not be super lose on the end of the steel line. I would check the hose as they dry out and crack over the years. You local parts store will have new hose. I use trans hose on mine. Yes new steel line and hose is like $16 bucks at rock auto if that is a route you need to take.

 

Zor,
Those hoses are cheap and easy to replace. I did both of mine at the same time since they have the same mileage/age on them. As far as the movement... major cause for concern!!!
If your really trying to watch the pennies, take those hoses to an a/c place and ask them to rebuild them for you(replace rubber useing the old pressure fittings) and compare vs buying them new from the parts store.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys. I took your advice and replaced the line. They did not have the metal line with rubber hose attached. When he brought it out it was a foot long hose for $13! Since they didn't have the whole line I asked what tranny line went for, "oh about $1 a foot". Well guess what I used lol. No leaks, no whine and what a pain to deal with that freaking under-engineered pulley setup. They really dropped the ball with that one, but hey it works.