Replacing High Pressure Pwr Steering Hose 02
 

Need some help from the Org. I have a leaky high-pressure power steering fluid hose that I need to replace. At least I think that's what it's called. It's the power steering hose that runs along the firewall starting on the passenger side and then dips down 90 degrees behind the engine. It seems to be a rigid rubber hose with a foam pipe-insulation wrapped around it. I would post a picture but am unable to. I can see power steering fluid dripping out of the top end of the pipe insulation, and if I pull the insulation out of the way the inner hose is soaked with fluid. There is a metal fitting at the top end of the hose so there is no clamp to remove and/or tighten. I'm guessing when I buy the new hose that fitting will be on there as well. I have a service manual on CD for this car but they don't show any directions for replacing this hose. Has anyone here done it? How difficult was it? Might you be able to give me some directions? I would appreciate any help. If it's not something a DIYer can do, any idea how much the dealer would charge to do it? Thanks! It's a 2002 SE.

I haven't done one of these on this car yet but the HP hose will come with all fittings included. What you will need is a flare nut wrench set (Looks like a wregular wrench but with 2 other surfaces and looks like a C) to release the fittings off of the rack and the pump. These can be a pain because there is little play and it's easy to get grit in the mating surfaces. Also DO NOT CROSS-THREAD! When Screwing on the hose you will want to do this by hand and get about 3 threads in before putting the wrench to it.

I just replaced mine. Do it sooner than later...Call up DAVEB at South Point Nissan. I paid $138.54 for the part. Even Nissan Techs say it a pain in the *** to replace. Dealer will charge about 2.5 hours of labor.

this part Nissan has a backorder on these

Dave Burnette 888-254-6060 or at daveb@adpub.com

Thanks for the quick replies! MaximaDave, did you do the job yourself? How long did it take you? Thanks!

I didn't do it. I had Corona Nissan install it (I used to work there).

It is a real PITA. Fairly simple actually. Raise the front end and support with jack stands. Remove as much of the fluid from the reservoir. Drip pan and rags would help catch the fluid. Remove wheel to access the p/s pump. Loosen the big banjo bolt (14mm I believe) at the other end of the hose just enough for the fluid to flow. Loosen the connector at the strut tower. Strategically place rags to catch the fluid. Slowly remove the banjo bolt allowing the fluid to flow into drip pan until there is no more. Wrap rag or a plastic bag to prevent fluid dripping all over. I missed this step. You can remove the top nut. The hose should be loose on both ends. The middle of the hose it attached to a bracket. Very tight space!! It's either a 10mm or 12mm. I forgot. Use an extention to get at it. Remove the single bolt that faces the strut tower. The bracket should unhinge and you can remove the hose. you can re-use the bracket. The new hose was a single hose. I ordered mine from Dave @ South Point Nissan. The original was two hoses crimped together. Installation is in reverse. Top & bottom connection is the easy part. Don't forget the new copper crush washers for the banjo bolt. The hardest part is getting that bracket back on. Took me awhile to get the thread. Tighten everything then add fluid. I used AT transmission fluid. Fill it to the MAX cold. Start up the car while on stands. Make sure you're in neutral (MT) or park. Turn steering wheel lock to lock slowly to remove any air. Keep an eye on the fluid level making sure you don't add air in line. Place tire back on. Lower the car and away you go. I worked alone so it took me about 4 hours because I kept dropping the bolt for the bracket.

Pic of Power Steering Pressure Hose
 

I took a couple of pics of my pressure steering hose-- Tools needed is a 14mm, 10mm, 17mm and 23mm to remove the bottom screw.

WARNING THIS IS A PAIN IN THE *** TO REMOVE:

Complete pic of removed power steering pressure hose. There is a 10mm screw that is locate in the middle of the hose-- its a ***** to get to and take out.
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/944/img0331s.th.jpg

This image below is where you'll need a 10mm socket to remove the two screws: Plus you have to disconnect the gold hoses from the pressure hose-- Good Luck on that one--
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9817/img0332j.th.jpg

This is the part of the hoses that requires the 23mm socket to remove it- its located on the end of the hose.
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2...0333oer.th.jpg

What is it that time of the year. My wife is over two hours away from me, and calls. My car is making a noise and its hard to turn.
Power steering hose is really leaking now. Leaves a whole puddle. So I have to round up a part, and carry my tools two hours away in the AM.
Sheez!

I just did this part on my 2k2 about a month ago also.

Now when ya'll said this was a pita. I had no idea what a PITA it was. Getting the old hose off, less then 10 minutes.
Putting the new one on. at least 2 hours. Getting that bango bolt to line up perfectly is tough, then that stupid bracket behind the intake manifold is ridiculous.
However I do want to clarify that you need a 24mm Socket not a 23mm as mentioned above for that Bango Bolt.

Yes it IS difficult...
 

I just changed my power steering high pressure hose.

The hardest part was the banjo bolt at the bottom. It would be easier to put it on first, but then it would be SUPER hard to get the bracket attached to the engine. The top bracket is WAY easy.

My recommendation is middle bolt, banjo bolt and then top bracket. I also found it easier to leave the engine half of the bracket on and unbolt that half off the new one. Then just bolt the two halves together.

Yea whats the deal with these hoses anyways? I have had mine changed twice in like 2 yrs? Is there anyway to have a tougher one fabd up? 2000 I30t

Common problem with our cars.

hello everyone,

New guy here. I came across the website doing a search for some maintenance to my '02 Maxima. So, I just found out that I need to replace the high pressure power steering hose and have a few questions.
1. What milage did most of you have to replace the hose at? I'm currently at about 112K
2. The reason to replace the hose is from a visible pinhole leak in the hose. Is this common, has anyone else experienced the same thing?
3. If anyone paid to have it repaired in the last year, what did you pay?
Obviously, this is going to vary based on the area where you live. I'm in the Balt region and was quoted just under $450 for parts and labor. This is from my mechanic that I've gone to for over 10 years now and do trust, but I just want to be sure I'm not getting hosed (no pun intended).
I don't have any desire to replace it myself, but if anyone has any insight, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

jon

I found the part on Rock Auto for $92.79. From Courtesy Nissan it's $160.79. Is this a part that is better OEM or would the Rock Auto Part suffice? They seem to be the same 14mm bolt hose.

Lesson Learned
 

I just installed one and in response to what I read and learned on this thread I made one modification that cut my installation time down to 15-20 minutes. After removing the old hose and leaving the main part of the support bracket attached to the block, I elongated the hole in the loose part of the bracket and reinstalled it with 1-1/2" long bolt so that it was open enough to feed the hose through it. I fed the hose through, made up the banjo fitting, made up the top connection, and then tightened the 1-1/2' long bracket bolt. I used a pneumatic ratchet to make up the bolt which probably saved 5 minutes.

I hope this helps the next victim as much as the previous messages helped me.

Don

knock on wood, just replaced mine at 169k

I replaced mine at 90k. PITA is about right :)

I've got 113k and just put mine in the shop yesterday. The mech said there was fluid everywhere so it just blew I guess. He said $80-200 for the hose and 2 hrs of labor. So at most $340. Fingers crossed:)

High Pressure Hose
 

Well, I'm at 89,000+. I just learned from this thread what may be wrong w/my car and the puddle left behind. A friend of mine is going to give the replacement a try. Although, we don't know "Why" it's leaking but seems pretty obvious that it's coming from that area b/c there was a steady stream coming out when we ran the car.

Nissan dealer quoted me $377.68 to replace it.

High Pressure Hose
 

Well, going forward w/fix at home..or back yard...from reading threads, pretty common problem. The why?....I'm just chalking that up to it's time, 90,000+ miles and 60+ days in a row of triple digit weather. Sure I won't be able to add to thread regarding replacement as I've learned all about it here. Love this forum & love that you guys dig your Maxima's. I got mine just b/c I had been through a Sentra 85, then Altima 95, fun in Pathfinder 98 and so Max 02 seemed appropriate. Now, terribly interested in keeping it running for a long time! Thanks again.

It's really not that hard with the proper tools! Maybe 30-45 min starting with the removal of the old!

Since this is a common problem with our cars someone should do a detailed swap so we can sticky this thing once and for all.

High Pressure Hose
 

Well, success, my friend replaced hose tonight. Dave @ South Point had hose in stock ... $156.52 (plus Tax in Texas) total was $169.54. Took 3 hours, but shouldn't have. I'll try w/my limited car-speak to recount his steps - wasn't there when he took off, but he said it wasn't too bad...said definitely PITA to put on...after several attempts and different tries (even though I told him, nicely, your suggestions), he put clamp in place (on middle of the hose), then attached the banjo bolt, next middle, then top. Went "smoothly" after that. Luck to you on your replacement.;)

You can take the pressure hose to a hydraulic hose shop and they could put on a new hose if it is not leaking on the endlinks. I did this to my LS400. Cost about $50.

My hose just went about a week ago noticed the puddle. Been adding ATF Fluid everyday until I can get to my mechanic. Who quoted me $350.

That's definitely something to think about.

You can really replace it your self man. Its not fun lol but its not complicated at all.

Why isnt there a steel braided hose on the aftermarket yet!!

lol, ain't that with everything dealing with cars? Can't see how people can have fun doing this stuff. Only fun I have is afterwards - when I can figure out if I actually fixed the problem!

Damn, that's crazy that I noticed this thread.

I got to replace the one on my car too, it's not TOO bad yet. I have to refill it about once a week, but I'm sure it'll get worse. Trying to find the part now to get it replaced.

I got 135k on the odo now.

my hose went out about 3 weeks ago.. drove with a busted hose for about 2 weeks. To buy the part down here in South florida from Nissan is about $205.00 then labor. My Mechanic took the high pressure hose to some shop.. they cut it, and now it works fine. Not sure what he did but I post a picture later of what it looks like. Doesn't look all that cool but it is working perfectly. Charged my $185... for everything.

Just discovered that my ps hose is leaking and I'd like to replace it myself. Someone early in the thread mentioned a flare nut wrench set but all other references were to sockets. Are flare nut wrenches needed for this job?

I just did this and I used sockets.

They may not be REQUIRED, but they will protect the fittings better than anything else. JMO

I replaced mine while the engine is off the car, took me 5 minutes, but seeing how tight thing are in that area that must be a PITA to replace with the engine still in the car.

Good luck.

How do you make sure the holes in the banjo nut and hose assembly line up properly? Or does it even matter?

I get alot of calls for this part when parting out cars. Its a popular item to go and is usually a $350 -$400 repair job part included out here in NY.

Thanks for the tips. I might still do it myself. Mine is starting to leak now :( at 104K miles. Has anyone used the Gates replacement?

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...ek+Google+Base