2G Flare Fitting Power Steering Rack

[oneslowwdsm]

There are 2 fittings that loop in and around the power steering rack. 1 of them is leaking right at the fitting and of course it's the toughest one to get to. (see picture) I read this was a common problem back in like 2001, however there are no common solutions. Anyone have any ideas on why this fitting decided to start leaking and what a fix would be? Obviously trying NOT to pull the whole rack here. I can get to the fitting with a flare wrench however haven't tried pulling it off yet. Any ideas?

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20160121_222654 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/39079031@N06/

 

[xlr8ed]

From looking at the photo it looks like the line is leaking higher than the fitting. Maybe line is rusted or has a pinhole. Can't remember if that is the pressure line or return line but you should be able to get line from a parts store or from a dealer.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Is there an oring at that fitting somewhere that could have gone bad? I know it's at the fitting because the other day it wasn't leaking as bad and the top part was dry and yesterday it just started spewing out fluid, almost as if the line wasn't even connected.

 

[xlr8ed]

Yes there is an o-ring on the end where it enters the rack and pinion.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Yes there is an o-ring on the end where it enters the rack and pinion.

So maybe someone could help here.. I took the whole line off. Looking at it, it looks normal, don't see any cracks, o ring looks to be fine, I'm kind of stumped as to why it was leaking. Is there some kind of replacement? Could I use AN fittings maybe with a stainless steel line or a rubber line? I can't seem to find an OEM one available anywhere. Here is a couple pics of the line:

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Also if anyone runs into this problem here is a few pictures of what I did to pull the line:
First you will need a set of crows, really only a 14mm but they don't sell them seperate. I can't express how much easier it made this, not to mention the risk of stripping the fittings is much less with these:

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Pull off stabilizer bracket and the end link on the drivers side:

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With the bar out of the way, you should be able to get to the fitting much easier from the bottom of the car.

 

[dsmcrzy]

You can use stainless steel braided line. Earls makes one specifically for power steering. I have run it on my car for almost 2 years now with zero leaks or issues. I used 6 an line.

I know the fitting sizes are somewhere on this site. I think if you look at 2g depowering the steering rack it should bring up a few threads.

 

[dsmcrzy]

Here is the thread I was thinking about.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/power-steering-rack-fitting-size-needed-pic-inside.405845/

 

[oneslowwdsm]

I'm having a hard time finding an Earls SS one, can you link it? The thread you posted are not the fittings I'm dealing with. Those fittings are inside the engine bay near the firewall, the one I'm dealing with just feeds from one end of the rack to the other end from the bottom of the car. Also, I'm thinking there's way to much pressure down there for just a regular rubber fuel line to handle?

 

[jakk220]

I wouldn't use rubber line since it does handle high pressures. It would probably just pop off or start leaking. You could always try to get a used one from miller import parts. I know sometimes they don't look like they leak but there could be a pin hole somewhere.

 

[dsmcrzy]

Here's the link for what I used. I thought I went with earls but I got Russell instead. Either works fine. Just make sure you get the correct fittings for it. They are specific to power steering.

Russell 632600 Powerflex Stainless Steel -6AN Power Steering Hose - 3 Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CPCO4I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_oaUOwbPRMEZ56



As for the 2 fittings on the bottom side I have not dealt with them. I thought you were talking about the 2 in the bay.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

So just to update, I ended buying a used OEM line from one of our vendors and guess what, leak GONE. Still not sure why the old one was leaking maybe a bad o ring or a pinhole small enough that I couldn't see it. Once you get the stabilizer bar off, it really isn't that bad of a fix. Thanks everyone.