V8 power steering line leak

peterban · 23-08-2009, 04:16 PM

I have had a funny smell coming into the cabin the last couple of days. It smells like turps. I pull up in the garage and the whole front of the car smells like someone has doused it in turps.
Over the past few days I have checked everything I could but couldn't find anything that would cause this type of smell.
Today the smell was worse so again I check and I could see an oily patch on the cross member underneath the radiator right in the middle in line with the crankshaft pulley.
It must be power steering fluid as the level in the reservoir is down and the aluminum part of the hose runs right where the leak is, through a retainer clip.
It is hard to see as the bottom radiator hose runs over the top of it.
Has anyone had a problem with the line leaking at that point?
Do you have to replace the whole hose or can it be fixed with a joiner?

InfernoSR · 23-08-2009, 05:04 PM

I have a leak on the top steel hose myself... i have been told its just the O'ring that needs replacing... so will do it at work hopefully within the week.

Pinkbits · 23-08-2009, 05:05 PM

Power steering hose more than likely.
A common occurence in the AU series. A complete new hose is the easiest but i have heard of a replacement coupling being fitted.

RG · 23-08-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinkbits

Power steering hose more than likely.
A common occurence in the AU series. A complete new hose is the easiest but i have heard of a replacement coupling being fitted.

You can replace just the coupling but it is a massive frig around. I'd sooner spend the $170 odd and get the whole new line.

**Whoosha** · 23-08-2009, 05:32 PM

your a bit more patient than us have a go at cutting the nut off but a new line is easyer Thers a thread here some ware on how to do it but I carnt seem to find it

**DJM83** · 23-08-2009, 06:19 PM

Yeah has been said and i had the same trouble, new hose is the quickest and easiest fix.

Falcon SXR8 · 23-08-2009, 06:54 PM

i just used a dremel with a small cutting wheel to cut mine off and whacked the new fitting on. Ford said it couldn't be done but i did it for $11 i think. Going good so far and probably took half hour to do so i think the money saved is worth the time.

NC1183 · 23-08-2009, 07:00 PM

I replaced the fitting on mine, but I manged to nick the end of the aluminum pipe so replaced it before it could give me trouble, but like others have said it is easy to change it, i was just in a hurry and got a bit careless.

peterban · 23-08-2009, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the replies.
I have read the guide on removing the nut rather than buying a new hose but it is not leaking at the pump.
I think this was a major problem on the 6's. Mine is a V8.

The leak is about 150mm past where the hose changes from rubber to aluminum.
There is no sign of where it is coming from so I will have to keep an eye on it.
I have taken the plastic protector off from under the car which lets me have a look at both sides of the hose.
I will leave this off and check it again tomorrow.

FC:LTD · 23-08-2009, 08:10 PM

Give it a good clean with degreaser , then start the car and turn the wheel a couple of times and it should be fairly obvious where its coming from.It is probably just a pin hole but it will get bigger over time so replacing the line is the best bet

peterban · 23-08-2009, 08:47 PM

If I replace the line are their any particular brands or should I get mine repaired?
Anyone got a how to on replacing the V8 powersteering line?
Any particular things you have to watch out for.
It looks to be quite a torturous path that the line takes to get from the reservoir to the rack!!

philstoj · 23-08-2009, 08:56 PM

I got a spare complete line, second hand but definatly no leaks, you can have that for $80 if you like.

**Whoosha** · 23-08-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterban

Thanks for the replies.
I have read the guide on removing the nut rather than buying a new hose but it is not leaking at the pump.
I think this was a major problem on the 6's. Mine is a V8.

The leak is about 150mm past where the hose changes from rubber to aluminum.
There is no sign of where it is coming from so I will have to keep an eye on it.
I have taken the plastic protector off from under the car which lets me have a look at both sides of the hose.
I will leave this off and check it again tomorrow.

Mines a 8 to Peter, even replacing the whole thing is a pain in the butt, genuine or secondhand is the go as I priced a repair job trade through work and was even dearer