power steering hose leak

[haynboy8]

i have a 98 windstar. one of my hoses is leaking, mayb at the fitting. How do i tell which hose it is(return or pressure)??? Should i just replace all the hoses while im at it?? i heard it could b a pretty hard task to do. Also does anyone know where i can buy the hoses from? should my local dealer have them? any help would b great.

[12Ounce]

Does your model have the separate reservoir ... like my '99? This arrangement makes it easier to determine which is the high pressure hose ... the one going from pump to strg rack. The low pressure return goes from rack to reservoir.

If your reservoir is part of the pump its harder to discern which is which. If there is a size difference between the two hoses, the high pressure is usually the smaller dia.

Before you start changing hoses, make sure the nylon o-ring's are in place and in good shape. There's an o-ring at each hose end. You need the special wrenches ("tube-nut wrenches/flare-nut wrenches"??) are you will have problems loosening the fastening nuts.

[haynboy8]

my reservoir is part of the pump. i have all the tools for the job. do u know where to buy hoses at?

Also does this make any sense. if i turn my wheels to left or right the high pressure hose should be filled but the return hoses shouldnt??