Power Steering Pressure Line Leaking

skidmarx · May 19, 2008

I've got a 1996 k1500 Silverado with a 350.

The pressure line coming off of the power steering pump is leaking some power steering fluid.

I went to NAPA and got myself a new pressure line.

Now here's where I need some help.

The end of the pressure line coming off of the pump is really tough to get at. I can hardly get sin inch long a 5/8 wrench on the nut, but there is no room what so ever to turn the wrench.

So, next I looked into taking the entire pump off. But I would have to do a lot more than I though that I would have to. I would probably have to remove the radiator cover (not too tough), but then I'd have to take off the pulley off of the power steering pump and take the belt off.

I'm really not yet comfortable taking the pulley and belt off since the truck is my only mode of transportation, I've only had it about a two weeks, and I don't have very much experience working on vehicles (only seventeen).

So I'm wondering if there's an easy way to change the hose, is there a tool or something I could buy for fixing this?

MountaineerTom · August 18, 2008

I don't think there is really any easier way to do it. Pulling the pully off shouldn't be to hard. You should be able to get the tool needed (if you don't have one) at a local parts store for relatively cheap. Just make sure you have fluid on hand so you can fill it up when finished. It would be good to have a buddy handy just in case you need to make a trip to the parts store in the middle of the job.

Good luck.

preist · August 27, 2008

When I get really stuck like this and I have the replacement part on hand, then I start cutting. My suggestion is to cut off the pipe close to the nut and then you can use a normal socket to remove the nut. Just to verify - you are replacing the whole hose and it has its own integrated nut right?

preist · August 27, 2008

When I get really stuck like this and I have the replacement part on hand, then I start cutting. My suggestion is to cut off the pipe close to the nut and then you can use a normal socket to remove the nut. Just to verify - you are replacing the whole hose and it has its own integrated nut right?