power steering fluid leak

[rh71]

95 Rodeo @ 120k miles.

The steering was making noises and gradually got difficult to turn. The next morning I checked and the fluid level was below MIN. I re-filled it then capped it. Upon starting up the car and turning the wheel, fluid sprayed everywhere and a large puddle started forming underneath... definitely leak. It's now been at the shop for 4 days. He says a part of the metal hose rusted out and he's tried everything to replace that section but the pressure is too great and it leaks after 5-10 minutes. He added that it's nearly impossible to get parts for these things anymore. He's trying to get a perfect fit 3/8" hose and try again.

What I want to know is how common is this at this mileage (probably very) and if the pressure he mentioned is increased now for some reason, causing the difficulties? I'm really ready to give up on this car after this many years... it's already costing me 2 hours of labor to do this and I don't even know if it'll work in the end. Thoughts?

[Cat Fuzz]

Your mechanic sounds like an idiot or he's taking you for a ride. Shouldn't be a problem finding a pressure hose for your truck. If he's trying to patch the old one, he really is an idiot. You shouldn't be charged labor for this guys lack of knowledge.

The entire hose should be replaced, not patched.

[rh71]

^ he mentioned metal rusting through and that's where the leak is coming from. Is that a separate area from the hose you have in mind? Are the hoses not all rubber?

[Cat Fuzz]

No, the hose is not all rubber. It's flexible where it needs to be and the rest is steel.