Well last Tuesday we had to have the car towed because my great grandmother noticed smoke coming out of the engine bay. First thing I thought was something wasn't tightened from all the work we just had done (valve cover gaskets, spark plus, mount). But then I stated thinking, "well damn, it's probably that stupid high pressure power steering hose". Sure enough, it was. Tracking the hose down wasn't that difficult, $84.xx with an employee discount from my place of employment. The frustrating part was the sensor that wouldn't come off the old line. Mechanic said it was fused on to the old line and they tried everything to get it off. Tried finding one and let me tell you, they are almost nonexistent in dealerships locally (Tampa Bay Area) or in parts stores. At this point I was losing it after calling everyone I knew, and then my mechanic had the idea to cross it over to a Nissan part number from the Maxima of the same vintage. We found one locally at a Carquest and it worked! For $95, I have a new sensor that fits and works! So out the door, for the hose, sensor, and labor, it was $250 as opposed to ~$160 if the sensor could've been swapped over. So ill call my mechanic tomorrow and get that Nissan sensor number if anyone is interested for future knowledge. That hose is bound to break for most of us.

 

That pressure switch is the same for Infiniti and Maxima.

The 3.5 engine uses a different switch than the 3.0 engine, but once again, the Infiniti & Maxima use the same switch.

For the 3.0 engine:
Nissan part # 49761-7P900 - msrp $86.83
at nissanpartszone.com $65.54
rockauto.com - 2 brands - $60.79 and $79.79
autozone - part # ps610 $ 122.99 (ouch)

 

I was quoted $672 for parts and labor to replace PS pressure hose and sensor - ouch! (on a 12 yr old car) using OEM parts...

 

Do you know the size of the bolt holding the PS pressure hose to the pump?

 

Well, I was able to find an OEM hose on EBAY from infinitiparts for $176. I watched some youtube videos and figured I might as well tackle the job myself. It wasn't too bad.

Make sure you have a 24mm socket to loosen the banjo bolt. It is easily accessed once you remove the front right wheel. The hose is held in place by a bracket attached to the intake manifold. After fighting for 30 minutes or so, never I was able to remove the bracket so I opened the c-clamp and released the hose. There are two 10mm bolts holding the hose on top.

To install, I started on the bottom to allow enough hose movement to reinstall the banjo bolt. Make sure you do not lose the two copper washers! It took me a while to line everything up but, I finally got the bolt and washers tightened down. From there I went up top and bolted the hose back to the body using the two 10mm bolts and connected the hard steel line. I tie-wrapped the hose to the bracket. I may see if I can find a small hose clamp but it should be good to go.

I added PS fluid back to the reservoir and started the engine. I turned the wheels side to side to purge air and until the fluid level off.

It took me about 3-4 hours but I wasted a lot of time on that bracket. Plus I had to make to tool run to purchase the 24mm socket.

I figured I saved about $450 by doing it myself.

 

Dd your sensor come off alright? That was the problem in my situation.

 

The sensor was included on the new hose so I didn't have to fuss with it...