1993 Lumina Power Steering

[danders4]

Has anyone replaced the power steering hose? Was it difficult to do, and does anyone have any suggestions for tackling this?

[jeffcoslacker]

Which one? And yes, invest in a set of line wrenches or crow's feet for the fittings. If you round them off in the tight quarters your working in, you've got big problems.

[danders4]

I guess I am not sure which one is leaking. I looked at it late last night, and couldn't see where the fluid is leaking from.

[jeffcoslacker]

If it is the low pressure side, that is just a regular clamped hose, pretty easy to deal with. If it is shooting a stream of fluid when you turn the wheel it is the high pressure line and you will need tools to work with the fittings on it.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by danders4

Has anyone replaced the power steering hose? Was it difficult to do, and does anyone have any suggestions for tackling this?

It depends on what engine too, like mine with a 2.5, you can take the belt off the pump, remove the 3 pump bolts, and drop it down behind engine and get at it behind passengers side wheel real easy.
I just put a new rack and High pressure hose on mine, but i dropped the rear of the engine cradle which made rack installation real easy.
I replaced my Hi press. hose because it developed a pin hole leak, wasnt touching a thing, just got a pin hole in it, it wasnt spraying either, just running down the hose. And just in case you dont know, never put tranny fluid in one of these, only power steering fluid.
Little side note, new hose came from Advance Auto Parts, wasnt quite as long as original, and it "just" worked. So much for exact replacement..

[danders4]

I am not exactly sure where it is leaking now. Last night I went out and inspected it, and couldn't find any areas were it was leaking from. I had a friend turn the wheel, and there was no fluid spraying out. It is the 3.1L engine.

[punkytoole]

i have a 91 4 door sedan with the 3.1 liter engine and i had power steering fluid leaking for a while. i couldnt really see where it was coming from, it was all over the half of the engine bay. i guess i was dripping on the belt and then that flung it everywhere. i determined that the fluid was leaking out of the power steering pulley shaft and that i would have to get a new one. i know you can replace the seals on that, but i dont think i had the tool to do that. so i just got a power steering pump off ebay for less than $20 including shipping and installed that. its working pretty well now, i just think i need to top off the fluid after all the air rom running with low fluid came out the lines. it wasnt a tough switch, its like 3 bolts and now my car runs much better. you could probably get one out of the junkyard, i know of 2 sitting in a junkyard right now.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by danders4

I am not exactly sure where it is leaking now. Last night I went out and inspected it, and couldn't find any areas were it was leaking from. I had a friend turn the wheel, and there was no fluid spraying out. It is the 3.1L engine.

Make sure the screw clamp on the return hose is tight too, they get loose after awhile too.

As for pumps, a lot of models will fit, i have one from a 90 Buick LeSabre 3.8, on my 91 2.5 Lumina yeah had to change pulley, a bit different in size, and change the way one bolt attaches.

[Kooterskkar]

It could be the rear seal on the pump housing is leaking. Mines been leaking like that for about 3 months, just have to rmemeber to keep adding fluid all the time. When it sgets warmer im replacing everything that has to do with the steering system. Pump, lines, rack, tie rod ends, and all the bushings.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by Kooterskkar

It could be the rear seal on the pump housing is leaking. Mines been leaking like that for about 3 months, just have to rmemeber to keep adding fluid all the time. When it sgets warmer im replacing everything that has to do with the steering system. Pump, lines, rack, tie rod ends, and all the bushings.

I doubt its a "rear seal" the shaft doesnt protrude thru the housing, the end of the housing has a metal cap held in with a steel ring. its probably the return hose which is on the rear side, or possibly the rubber O ring that seals the pump tank to the pump.

From what i have saw of these racks, they leak out one or both tie rod ends, or like mine, out of the seal where the steering shaft goes into it.

And its soooooooooo much easier to replace a rack if you drop the rear of the engine cradle (frame) down a few inches, on my 2.5 you could drop it about 8 inches before anyting up top began to get to tight, that rack was simple to replace then.BR SURE TO HAVE STEERING SHAFT LOOSE BEFORE DROPPING FRAME
Also, its easier to take the high pressure line off the pump and leave it on the rack when you change racks, transfer line while rack is out of car, then you dont have to mess with the lines on the rack when you reinstall.
Oh, and disconnecting/connecting the steering column shaft is WAY easier if you drop the frame with rack attached a bit, align them as you jack frame back in place.
The engine frame is attached with 4 bolts, 2 in front, 2 in rear, just put a jack under rear of frame, remove 2 rear bolts and let the jack down slowly to gain what you will be amazed in LOTS more room to r&R a rack

[Kooterskkar]

Good info if I was doin that to a Lumina. This is on my Corsica though, but ill have to remember to leave the lines attached to the rack and see how it works out. Only thing is I may have to slide it out the side through the wheel well.
And yes I know its not a "seal" on back of the pump , but it leaks like a seive around that cap on the back of the housing. Just couldnt think of any other way to describe it at the time.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by Kooterskkar

Good info if I was doin that to a Lumina. This is on my Corsica though, but ill have to remember to leave the lines attached to the rack and see how it works out. Only thing is I may have to slide it out the side through the wheel well.
And yes I know its not a "seal" on back of the pump , but it leaks like a seive around that cap on the back of the housing. Just couldnt think of any other way to describe it at the time.

Well, i still took my rack out thru the side, but getting it out and new one in was a total breeze with the frame dropped in the rear, and a COrsica is even smaller car. BUT i have no clue without looking if a corsica rack is on the frame or on the firewall, and its dark and i dont feel like going out and looking at daughters LTZ. But from what i remember, i dont envy you the job.

[Kooterskkar]

Yeah the rack is mounted on the firewall. And it makes one hell of a noise when the bushings get worn out and you turn the wheel. Makes the whole front end shudder.
Shes got an LTZ?! Same here! Got a Black '89, just dropped a 5 speed in it. Bout 128k miles on it now, and im slowly replacing the whole car.
Hey you should tell her to check out Corsicas.com Great place, lots of friendly people too. They'll enjoy seeing another LTZ, if she joins.

[Jonn]

Originally Posted by Kooterskkar

Yeah the rack is mounted on the firewall. And it makes one hell of a noise when the bushings get worn out and you turn the wheel. Makes the whole front end shudder.
Shes got an LTZ?! Same here! Got a Black '89, just dropped a 5 speed in it. Bout 128k miles on it now, and im slowly replacing the whole car.
Hey you should tell her to check out Corsicas.com Great place, lots of friendly people too. They'll enjoy seeing another LTZ, if she joins.

Hers is a 91 LTZ 3.1 auto.Dark red, has about 125K on it i think. So far only engine problem it ever had was a bad coil. Hers is real nice, no rust, paint nice, interior is like new, oh, i did replace the headliner tho. I like it except for the heavy steering, i grew up in "turn with one finger" era of power steering. Amazing how many teen Baretta owners stare at it trying to decide what it is, the grill gets them..LOL