Power Steering High Pressure Hose
 

Took my SVX in for a lube service today and also asked them to do the o-ring fix as my powersteering had started to play up again with the same symptons as last time.

They just rang me to say I need a new High Pressure Hose, takes 2 weeks to come from Japan and costs $239.

I have searched the forums and seen that this is fairly common. I just want to be sure that I'm not getting taken for a ride, as I was realy expecting it to be the O ring.

Now, there's has been no oil leaks or smoke, wouldn't this be the case if the hose was leaking?? (whereas the o-ring leak is air right?).

Any tips, or any questions I can ask the mechanc to ascertain it's definitely the high pressure hose? I asked the phone rep about a fix-it kit already but they said can't be done.

Thanks in advance,
Pete

p.s. Why is a piece of hose so expensive anyway?

p.s.s. I'm in Australia

Oh my gosh! That is the most expensive high pressure hose I have heard of. I know that you are in Australia, but the shipping can't be that much.

The O ring is not always air leaking. It can leak PS fluid as well. I am not saying that that is what it is, but it is possible. Usually there is just a pin hole when the pressure line gives up. That is what mine have done. If you didn't have any leaks, I would be a little, or a lot concerned. I would check it out a little more closely for that kind of money. You might ask to see where it is leaking.

Good luck.

Thanks Earl. I'll ask them to show me the leak, I assume the high pressure line is easily visible with the bonnet open?

Cheers,
Pete.

Yes, you should be able to see it without any problem. Good luck. I hope you find that it is not the problem and you can save the money. :)

update
 

Ok, I got the car back from the general lube service, and told them to not order the replacement hose yet. There was definitely a leak, in fact the resevoir was empty so they filled up again to keep me going for the moment, but apparently at max pressure (hard left/right) the hose is actually squirting the fluid out.

I had a look at the hose and it was moist with oil. I drove straight to a power steering specialist who has quoted me about $150 for both labour and parts. He said it could be more if labour is longer than anticipated. So how long should this procedure take by a professional? I think I read in this forum about being able to do this job from above the engine block after removing a couple of parts?

Thanks again,
Pete.

update
 

Hey guys, I got the job done for AUD$236 including parts and labour. Thanks for your help as always.

There is a way cheaper way. I had mine refitted at local hose and clamp shop..........$60US tops.

including a new hose? Mine had 3 leaks...

What did you have them do? Replace the hose and use your old fittings? That is interesting. :confused:

I replaced mine with a factory part, but I can verify that it is a simple matter to have a hose shop rebuild yours for you. Simple and cheap.

I replaced mine with a stock part (hose) as well, but am interested in the possibility of doing a cheaper fix next time. :)

Here in Japan, Subaru were forced to do a compulsory recall on JDM SVX models to replace leaking power steering hoses.

The Japanese Transport Ministry forced Subaru to recall several models for a variety of problems after Subaru admitted they had been 'hiding' customers' complaints in order to avoid costly recalls!:mad:

Paul-

Have there been a ton of recalls there on the current legacy? Im wondering if it's only on the US built models. Recently, there has been a recall about the coil springs breaking becase they rust through. Also, there is a current recall on them because the automatic models sometimes roll away when they're parked. We actually had a custmer who's car rolled across a parking lot and into a pole, and they just recalled ever 00-03 legacy because of rear subframe rust. sheesh.

Mike

Only recent recall (Dec 2002) for JDM Legacy models is the 'not staying in Park' on the automatic models. No recalls for rust problems.

The rust recall is due to screwup with the paint used on the coil springs (on some models) and the rear subframe. Since many of the Northeastern states have switched from road salt to a new type of de-icing chemical, that chemical isn't very friendly to the particular type of paint used on the subframe and the coil springs.

No vehicles have been known to have a failure thus far, but Subaru is playing it safe by inspecting and recoating every vehicle owned or sold in the "salt belt" states. It's basically a "peeling paint" problem.

This recall is exclusive to vehicles assembled at Subaru's Legacy plant in Indiana.