Dave Holmes

After reading a few posts about power steering fluid leaks lately, I just wanted to post a heads up for people about a power steering leak I discovered today.
I discovered a leak while inspecting my undercarriage today. I noticed that the CV joint (passenger side) was slightly wet, and looking up at the bottom of the power steering pump, noticed it was wet, also. The leak was from the power steering pump hose that goes in to the pump itself. Looking from under the car, the hose is above the O2 sensor for the rear bank, and is wrapped in an aluminum heat wrap. The hose clamp was so loose that when I tried putting a wrench (8mm) on it to check its torque, the whole hose rotated around the nipple. I had to cram both hands up there (an amazing feat considering the tight space) to hold the hose so I could snug the hose clamp.

To my knowledge, my power steering pump and hose to it have never been removed or messed with. So I can only assume that this was the way it came from the factory, or it loosened on its own in 96,000 miles. If I remember correctly, there was a TSB for this problem, but I never paid it any attention when I read it a long time ago because I have not lost any measurable amount of fluid.

This is on a 4th gen ('97), so I don't know if it could apply to others. Just a little heads up for people who are losing power steering fluid, or those who might want to check while changing their oil.

Dave