It seems when I fix one thing on this car, two other problems surface. This week'* delight is a power steering fluid leak.

Looking down between the fans and the motor, there is a steel line that appears below the AC compressor and runs along the front of the subframe. It travels towards the drivers side, makes a 180* U-turn and heads back under the compressor. This is the line that leaks.

I managed to get a parts explosion faxed from a local dealer. This line actually connects to the rear of the steering rack and snakes around to the front. It makes it'* directionless journey as described above and continues to the PS pump. It seems like it should be for a PS fluid cooler but there is not one on this car.

Can the damaged area be cut out and replaced with rubber hose and clamps? Looking at the diagram, it looks like a whole lotta stuff would need to be removed in order to replace the line with a pre-bent steel line.

Is this on the '93? I'm having a hard time figuring out what exactly you're talking about. The only lines I can think of that run to the front of the car are for the a/c, transmission, and oil cooler lines...Maybe I just didn't notice it?

I've seen rubber hoses that are designed for the high pressure but I'm not sure how comfortable I'd be using them. Pressure can exceed 1000psi, and on our heavy cars I wouldn't doubt it does. I don't think I'd feel comfortable with just a few hose clamps or whatever holding it on. Maybe if you flange the end of it and hose clamp the heck out of it...haha I dunno maybe someone who'* done something similar can chime in.

Yes, it is for the 93. Tonight I can scan the parts explosion and send it via PM. The line is very clear in the diagram. What isn't clear is whether the factory line has flexible portions. There are three areas on the line in the diagram that indicate a different material. The only area that I've been able to see so far on the car just has corregated wire loom over the steel line and not a rubber hose.

Again referencing the diagram, the pump to rack line looks like a beefy, machine clamped rubber and steel line. The other one (the leaker) looks like it connects with a standard hose clamp at the pump.

I just found out what the heck this line is this morning so I haven't had a good live look under the hood.

PM me the pic, i'll put it up on my server for all to see.


-justin

Yes, that loop serves as a cooling line for the PS. I think it'* on the lower pressure side of the pump. You can buy the whole line from GM and as I remember it wasn't that expensive. It'* a crazy looking part, with multiple steel and rubber sections. Stretched out, I think it must be about 6 to 7 feet long.

I changed this on my 92 ssei. It CAN be changed, it just takes some time. I don't think I had to remove many other items to put it in.

Use some gunk engine cleaner on that area first, and blast it with a garden hose, that will make it easier to work on. Also, think about changing some of those automatic trans lines that are in the same area, you will find they are going bad also.

You've got that right! there must be 5-6 repair looking rubber hoses with several hose clamps. Looks like hell. Need part numbers!!!

I'm glad you didn't mention "pull the motor" or something drastic like that when you described your experience. That makes me feel better. Does $74.76 sound right for the part? I think I have found the part number.

Jrs3800, I saw that same pic during a search. I don't have one of those on my car but originally thought that the leaking line was a bypass. Hence the reason for the U-turn.

Yes, that price sounds about right. That'* probably the list price. If you find yourself at the dealer a lot getting parts, try to get yourself some sort of discount. Always deal with the same person, and they will get to know you.

It sounds like yours might already have some sort of "repair" done to it, if it has lots of clamps in it. The metal loop in the front should be a single metal section.

I am assuming that the 93 is the same as my 92. As I remember, it'* a threaded connection at the steering rack, and a simple hose clamp at the power steering pump.

Once you get all the clips and fasteners out, and disconnect the ends, it'* just a matter of fishing it all out and then fishing the new one back in. A few photos first might help you remember where it all went.

I think I pulled the whole thing back towards to rear of the car, to get it out.

Blow some air through it too to make sure there isn't a spider living in there.