The larger of my power steering hoses on my 1988 Vert is leaking near the pump. No problem changing the upper hose end but the other end is buried under the power steering pump and the AC compressor.

What is the easier way to change that lower end? From the top by removing the power steering pump / AC Compressor or by attacking it from the front by removing the radiator etc.

Any tips would be appreciated.

 

sell the car!

j/k ive never had to do the PS hoses by themselves, but id be tempted to lower the subframe or lift the motor

taking the a/c compressor off is too hard imo.

 

use an end wrench

 

Thinking about best way to tackle this problem - as the hose seems fine except at upper joint - I wonder it would be possible to splice the hose using a good upper part and the lower part - all without removing anything but the bad upper part ?

Any comments ?

 

if it is a high pressure hose,change it.If it isn't then you can splice into it,run some Rubber Hose.
I found that when taking the Hoses Off the rack that IT can be done with Normal wrenches,BUT you have to take them off in sequence.One has to come off to get the other one out.Sorry I can't recall Which.(S4).
I actually Made a Wrench for this.It was a Box end 45 degree, cut like a open end,just enough to get around the Pipe.(like a brake line wrench).

 

hmmm i just did this today but i already had the fan shround and the a/c and p/s pump out...

 

Lossen the belt - 1 minute
Lossen the 4 bolts with a ratchet like 12mm key (or is it 10mm) - 10 minutes
Suspend compressor where needed - 3 minutes

Change power steering hose.

Spec.

 

Also, just for the record... There is NO WAY to splice a steering hose together in the car... Power steering actually runs at ridiculous amounts of pressure, so you need a specialized hydraulic press to crimp new ends onto it. A hydraulics shop in your area could make you a hose, but they have to use new ends... The crimper is a couple o' hundred pounds, they won't want to move it for you

 

I had to change mine a couple of years ago. As Spec says, you can leave the AC lines connected and just move the compressor out of the way. There's a mounting bolt/bracket on the frame directly down from the top of the strut that's a bitch to get back on if your rat's nest is still there.

I did it without removing the front subframe, but it's a bitch to get the bolts lined back up blind. Can be done without removing too much, but again, kind of a bitch. what I thought would be a 1/2 hour job took several hours for me due to tight quarters on the bottom. Also, make sure you keep track of which hose goes where on the lower end.

I only broke one hose, but replaced both. Recommend the same. Might as well, while your up to your elbows in it.

Good luck

 

get the lower part of the hose from underneath the car i just replaced a whole rack the other day thats about the easiest way truth fully. unless you take out the fan and shroud and battery tray. ac compressor shouldn't be in your way with those mentioned items above removed.