I have a 98 max - 102K miles. I have a power steering fluid leak for last month or so. The leak appears to be by the radiator area. A mechanic told me (from his 30 seconds check) that I need new power steering lines. So I have a couple questions related to this:

1. What is the exact part name that I need to get. Is this an easy DIY job or should have him do it (he said 50 to 80 dollars for labor based on complexity).

2. What kind of fluid should I be adding? A week ago I bought and added valvoline's "SynPower Power Steering Fluid with Sealers and Conditioners". But I read somewhere that I need to use ATF. Will this damage the system? Do I need to use the turkey puller thing to change the fluid?

Thanks much.

 

The PS fluid is fine. ATF is basically PS fluid without the extra additives.

I found that on my car, the hoses tend to deform under the hose clamps and cause the clamps to lose compression. I simply repositioned the clamps over fresh rubber and they stopped leaking. Definitely a DIY.

Changing the hose can be more difficult, and a lot more messy. After draining any line, you'll have to lift the front of the car, run the engine, and turn the wheel full left-to-right and back several times. Just pause for a second at each extreme but no more. That will bleed the system of air, so check the fluid level again.

Dave

 

for a temporary fix....get some rubber power steering line and just recreate a small loop under ur resivoir....i had the same leak u have and thats what i did....i even drove a track day with no issues...but i am replacing the whole cooler assmebly

 

Is there a diagram available for power steering lines and its hook ups?

My leak is by the radiator, and may be from the high pressure as well as return line. The lines from PS resorvoir start as rubber but by the radiator end they are aluminum type.