Power steering line failure

[RichardTS]

Originally Posted by 22022

It cracked,I broke the rest off removing it.

Did the cracked part appear to look "crystalized"?

[22022]

Originally Posted by RichardTS

Did the cracked part appear to look "crystalized"?

No, it was really smooth with a copper tinge to it.

[RichardTS]

Originally Posted by 22022

No, it was really smooth with a copper tinge to it.

Leaking badly or just seeping?

[22022]

It started to leak very bad on a drive ,had to get the car towed home.

[StickMon]

I was under the car a few weeks ago replacing the Constant Pressure Valve and while wiping up all the oil and grime noticed a notch worn into the rubber part of my expansion hose.
(Thanks to the forumites for belaying my fears that I had a head gasket leak and the fine tips on things like "drag link sockets" to replace the CPV).

Whatever Bubba tightened the 14 mm end didn't hold the line, so it rotated until the rubber hose hit the bottom of the block. It wore/melted almost all the way through.



Bought a new line, and before installing it I remembered that I had some 5/8" "Fire Sleeve" left over from doing the oil lines on my MR2. It was a perfect fit.
I know, it's overkill, but anything worth doing is worth overdoing.



Next time you're under there, I would recommend to everyone to check and make sure the line is clear of the bottom of the engine.

[mhughett]

StickMon, I thought our cars used regular old ATF in the power steering lines--not the newer CHF11s. I know my wife's X3 uses the CHF11s but for some reason I was thinking the M used ATF.

[StickMon]

Yea, that's a little iffy. I bought it prior to going in there and seeing "ATF Oil Only" on the cap.
I might flush out the CHF and refill with ATF this weekend.

Hmmm ... but which ATF to use. Maybe Royal Purple Max ATF® ?

After too much research, I don't think it makes a flying-f performance wise, just want to have maximum compatibility with the seals.
Going with Valvoline MaxLife DEX/MERC. Image above edited to show the correct fluid.

I think this is the O.E. stuff that it probably came with from the factory:

[StickMon]

Came up with what seems to be a good method for a thorough flush:

1) Pump fluid out of reservoir with baster or shampoo pump.
2) Slip serpentine belt off P/S pump pulley.
3) Disconnect expansion hose from P/S pump and allow to drain.
4) With engine off, work steering wheel lock to lock many, many times. Steering rack will pump remaining fluid through P/S pump and out where the expansion hose was connected.
5) Find a honkin' jar, clean, and dump in a quart of ATF.
6) Submerge end of expansion hose in jar. Work steering wheel lock to lock many, many times. Steering rack will suck fresh ATF out of jar, through expansion hose, rack, and pump into drip pan.
7) Pour what's left in the jar into the reservoir and spin the P/S pump pulley to flush reservoir and pump.
8) Reassemble, fill, and bleed.

[SCHMOUPE]

finally got around changing mine. Anyone know if we can get them refurbished anywhere for next time? As far as I know, the new hose will start weeping in about a year or two and I need to pony up anther 2xx dollars.

[silverfishZ4M]

It will leak again? I thought the new part was supposed to be updated?

[kav]

Bringing this one back.

Can someone confirm that this is the part needed to fix the leaking power steering expansion line?

Expansion hose. 32412283893
Banjo bolt with check valve 32416781261

Any ideas on the cheapest source for these parts. In Canada the parts are insanely expensive.

[yousefnjr]

I replaced mine a few months ago with a non-OEM line at almost 1/3 the price, no issues at all so far

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-rein-par...412283893~crp/