2001 Grand Prix GTP Power Steering Lines

[zepol]

I am trying to take the power steering return line off of the rack and there is almost no room at all to get that thing off of there. Is there a trick to getting this thing off? I am using a ratchet with a size 18 crows foot and there is no way to get any leverage on that thing to get it to spin. The weird angle that it sits also makes it difficult. Help!

[gmtech1]

Are you accessing it through the wheel well?

[zepol]

Originally Posted by gmtech1

Are you accessing it through the wheel well?

Hey there. The only accessible part of the hose through the passenger side wheel well is the part where there is a hose clamp connected to the power steering pump. That part is very easy to remove with a nut driver and then pulling the line off of the pump. The part that is driving me crazy is underneath the car and on the driver side of the muffler where the line connects into the rack and pinion. There is almost no space to work at all and the line sits right behind the connection of the pressure line so there is very little room.

[FISH96]

i recently r/r power steering pump and lines on 2000 pontiac gp se 3.8l.
lowering the back of engine cradle allowed enough room to access both lines at the rack. removing the pressure line first then the return.

be certain to support the cradle, the rear bolts were loosened (not removed)
i guess i had about 3/4 to 1 inch clearance. this allowed the use of crows foot line wrench.

i am assuming these automobiles are similar

[zepol]

Originally Posted by FISH96

i recently r/r power steering pump and lines on 2000 pontiac gp se 3.8l.
lowering the back of engine cradle allowed enough room to access both lines at the rack. removing the pressure line first then the return.

be certain to support the cradle, the rear bolts were loosened (not removed)
i guess i had about 3/4 to 1 inch clearance. this allowed the use of crows foot line wrench.

i am assuming these automobiles are similar

I think I might have to try this. I am familiar with lowering the cradle since I did that when I replaced the rack and pinion last year. If this works I will report back and let everyone know.

Keep the suggestions coming though if anyone has any suggestions as I wont be doing this until about 4 PM AZ time after work. The cradle thing makes sense though.

[gmtech1]

Yep, I agree with FISH96. As he said, take the pressure line loose first. Be careful when you drop the back of the cradle, don't go too far or you will seperate the steering shaft.

[Tech II]

I usually put an 18mm stubby on the nut and then use a pry bar on the end of the stubby, and use the pry bar as a lever across the bottom of the car, acting as the fulcrum........

[olopezm]

When I did the high pressure on mine, I accessed from the top. I was standing at the passenger side and leaned all over the engine while reaching between the engine and firewall.

I also used a crow's foot wrench, some extensions and a breaker bar. If the high pressure line is in the way, why not remove it first?

Oscar.

[zepol]

Lowering the sub frame worked out well. I removed the pressure line and then I removed the return. Still took me a couple of hours to get the lines off and back on again but after all is said and done it's all good.

The new line came with that black ribbed plastic stuff that protects from heat but do you think that will be good enough as that plastic sits right on the muffler? The old line didn't have anything on it protecting it from the muffler which is why I have to replace it. The muffler burned a hole through the steel part of the line.

[zepol]

I figured since this is a thread that I started and it is dealing with the same thing that it would be good to reply to this thread. If you guys think I should start a new one that's cool just let me know.

[A little background on this] What caused this leak in the first place was that the power steering lines on this vehicle travel directly underneath the muffler. The muffler doesn't have anything that blocks heat from these lines (At least not on mine anymore) The new lines came with the corrugated black plastic heat shield type stuff and I put that on there.

I was underneath the vehicle today and noticed that the black corrugated plastic is melted exposing that power steering line again. What could I buy to make sure that the muffler doesn't melt this line again since it was a real PITA to fix? Thanks!

[Tech II]

There is no reason for plastic to be on those lines......if I remember right, wasn't there a metal heat shield to protect those lines from heat? It was attached to the cradle.....also those lines were usually positioned low on the backside of the the rack....

[zepol]

Originally Posted by Tech II

There is no reason for plastic to be on those lines......if I remember right, wasn't there a metal heat shield to protect those lines from heat? It was attached to the cradle.....also those lines were usually positioned low on the backside of the the rack....

Tech II,

I don't remember ever seeing a heat shield there but seeing the last power steering line melt there and this one looking like it will eventually melt tells me that you are right. I am attaching a parts diagram below and I see a heat shield #12 but this looks like it goes over the top of the pipe and not under it.

It would make more sense for those lines to be positioned low on the backside of the rack but there is only one way for that rack to be installed and the lines are almost at the top of it.

I have decided to buy this this exhaust insulating heat wrap made out of lava which is supposed to be able to withstand up to 1200F continuous and up to 2000F intermittant from Amazon along with some stainless steel locking ties that are good up to 2500F. I am hoping this will work.

[Tech II]

This is a crude drawing of what I remember:

shield.jpg

This would fit over the rack and under the exhaust pipe.....the two holes were screws that attached it to the cradle...I suck at drawing....

[zepol]

Originally Posted by Tech II

This is a crude drawing of what I remember:

Attachment 49238

This would fit over the rack and under the exhaust pipe.....the two holes were screws that attached it to the cradle...I suck at drawing....

Having been under my vehicle several times over the past 8 or 9 years I can see how that would work and where it would go etc. I don't ever remember seeing anything like that. I am going to try to call a GM parts dept. to see if they know what that part is and how much it will cost.

Tech II what do you think about the lava wrap and ties I got in case I can't find that shield? Anyone else?

[Tech II]

Actually, quite easy to make out of sheet metal.....