Leaking Power Steering Fluid

Hi everyone,

After starting my engine today, I noticed a growing drip of fluid coming from under the front of the vehicle.

Upon closer inspection, it seems to be dripping from this hose/connector (see pic), and running down the steering box (note - I wiped oil from the steering box before I took the pic).





What size hose do I need for the replacement and is there an easy way to get to it and how difficult of a job is this?

Thanks.

That's the power steering return line. The short little section of hose is likely either 5/16" or 3/8"...I'm not sure. You could buy a foot of each. I keep a few feet of each on hand for little repairs like this. Wherever you buy the hose, pick up some new hose clamps while you're there.

You can buy a whole new line for as little as $15-$20, see link below. I installed two brand new ones on my 1984, and it is clean and leak free.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1985,f-150,5.8l+351cid+v8,1121588,steering,power+steering+return+hose,7324

Hose replacement is pretty straight forward. Pop it off, and pop it on. Tighten clamps.

If you go with a new line, it may require a little bending and tweaking to get the angles 100% right.

Cory is right, but you may be able to stem the flow by moving the clamp closer to the end of the hose until you replace the hose.

Ok, thanks everyone.

Where can I order it by the foot?

Everywhere I've looked is 25' or more.

Appreciate it!

Any parts store should sell you what you need by the foot or maybe the inch. Not sure about ordering it online.

ScubaSteve wrote

Any parts store should sell you what you need by the foot or maybe the inch. Not sure about ordering it online.

Yeah, the local parts shops here sell it by the foot, or sometimes in a pre-made plastic package with 2ft in it.

There are also "Hose & Fittings" shops in most industrial areas that sell by the foot.

Gary Lewis wrote

...you may be able to stem the flow by moving the clamp closer to the end of the hose until you replace the hose.

Or bend the steel line toward the rubber hose (to create slack), then trim the end of the hose back to a fresh location that will seal better.

Rembrandt - question - why did you replace two of these hoses?

I'm trying to get a better knowledge of the steering system, and while the factory shop manual (FSM) shows me a diagram, I'm trying to get a better grasp on it (the Mercruiser manuals that I'm used to are much more detailed).

Also - there is a power steering hose fitting that is located right next to the radiator - mine has a hose clamped onto that pipe, but it seems like it should be a fitting. Am I wrong?

NOTE - I haven't taken off the grill to get a better look at it but wanted to ask here first so I can maybe know what to expect when I do (and if I need to order any parts).

Thanks!

Quarterwave wrote

Rembrandt - question - why did you replace two of these hoses?

Also - there is a power steering hose fitting that is located right next to the radiator - mine has a hose clamped onto that pipe, but it seems like it should be a fitting. Am I wrong?

NOTE - I haven't taken off the grill to get a better look at it but wanted to ask here first so I can maybe know what to expect when I do (and if I need to order any parts).

Back in the old days, up here in the land of salt, steel power steering lines were a really common failure item due to rust. Sometimes the rust would turn into pin holes that would leak, but more often than not, the steel crimps on the hoses would rust away, and the hose would pop off the steel line. This is where a mechanic would usually stick the hose back on the steel line, and put a hose clamp on it.

There are no hose clamps on the factory lines. That was a repair that was done at some point. (Mine was exactly the same). There might be a clamp where the return line/hose attaches to the back of the pump reservoir, but the hose to steel line connections were crimped.

My return line had been repaired sometime in the past, and the majority of it had been bypassed. My supply line was leaking on top of the steering box. I just replaced both of them to bring the system back to it's normal factory state. One less thing to worry about.

BUT....

If you have a line traveling out near the radiator, and you have to remove the grill to see something, it sounds like somebody installed an aftermarket power steering fluid cooler at some point?

Quarterwave wrote

I'm trying to get a better knowledge of the steering system, and while the factory shop manual (FSM) shows me a diagram, I'm trying to get a better grasp on it (the Mercruiser manuals that I'm used to are much more detailed).

Gary has some excellent pictures posted of the factory power steering lines. See link below, and scroll down until you see the 302-351w images. There are two set-ups...without PS fluid cooler, and with cooler. Both options hang down under the front of the engine and attach to crossmember. I have the shorter line without the cooler.

http://www.garysgaragemahal.com/power-steering-illustrations.html

Ok, thanks Rembrandt.

I'll need to dig into it some more. I was just under the truck taking a look and it might even be a leaking transmission cooler line, but I can confirm that there is also an aftermarket power steering cooler, so I might need to make or find some lines with double flared ends.

Updates to follow when time permits!