Parts question: power steering return line
 

Latest obstacle getting the 7 back on the road: the line going from the rack to the p/s pump by way of a loop in front of the radiator is rusted out at that loop. It pisses out almost all its fluid just moving it from the hill driveway to the flat street.

I've been to all the parts stores and sites I know of, and all I can find are the 12mm and 16mm pressure lines and a cut-to-fit rubber hose they call the return line. So, since rubber doesn't rust... Does anybody know where I can get the right metal line? Or am I missing something about the rubber one?

I'm running out of time to finish the car before the snow really starts... Thanks for any answers you can offer. :)

you may be able to get one new from mazda, find someone parting out a car with a known good one, otherwise you could custom make a new one or purchase a small tran or oil cooler from your local parts store and cut off the old one and splice in the new cooler.

The local stealership wasn't much help over the phone. I'll try in person over the weekend (during the week their parts department closes before I get off work).

I have no experience cutting/bending new lines, attaching fittings, etc. so before I do that I'd like to see if I can get a known good one.

And although I'd like to have a brand new line, I would be willing to buy one from someone parting out or converting to manual steering. I'll post in the WTB section tonight after work.

be a man and take off all your p/s crap. fill the steering box with fluid to lubricate the components then block off the holes of the steering box. saves you weight and time fixing that leak. its a light car and you wont even notice the loss of p/s. only when your turning wheels at a dead stop, just use some muscle.

^ Well, that was very expected...but doesn't help the OP. He's trying to fix it, not remove it. Some of us like to see things functional. This is always an interesting debate. Now back on topic.

Anyways, you can splurge at the dealer, or go to a hydraulics shop and have them make the line, bends and fittings included, but that'll take a bit more research on your part. As far as cost, I'd have to know what Mazda wants.

Yeah, I knew someone would suggest removing it. Half my cars have had no power steering, so it's really not a muscle issue... I just love the way this car turns -- speed-sensitive in front and mind-reading in back. It might not be the ideal racing setup, but I'm leaving the p/s (and the DTSS) intact because I like a bit of luxury feel in a daily driver.

Anyway, I'll hit up the dealership on Saturday and post results. Thanks :)

Right, missed them yesterday, trying again tomorrow.

Results: The rubber part of the line is part # FB05-32-480. The part I need, the metal segment of the return line, is part # FC01-32-410, and the dealership wants just under $200 for it. :(

A friend of mine suggested cutting off the rusted part and connecting the freshly cut ends with a rubber hose and clamps. What do you guys think about this "patch" idea?

I would say no, if I am correct it is a pressurized line, and well hoses and clamps may fail as well

just bite the bullet and buy the part, I had the same problem when I first got my 87 car is from OH and the line was rotted just before it goes into the 'loop' in front of oil cooler, which is a cooler in itself
I didn't know about his site and looked at all parts stores just like you until I spent about $500 getting every piece from the pump to the rack from the dealer

i am sure you can find a good part here on the forum from someone, there are tons of guys removing P/S and plenty of others parting out thiers

also just so you know the dealer replacment part is a little bit different, the stock piece had an enlarged section of the pipe that was removed in the newer piece, so if you do go that route you don't have to order that part, even the diagram the guy had on the computer didn't show this change so he let me return the special order part b/c their computer was not up to date, and I think that was like $80 or so, so I was a little relieve to not need it...

Okay, I just didn't think the return line carried that much pressure. I'll probably look for someone removing their power steering.