Power steering troubles

[Threesixes]

Hey all,

My car (05 srt-10, stock)had a tiny power steering leak from where the top hose went into the pump. It would leave a real small puddle underneath the car every day but never made the fluid level low or anything.

Well today I took the hose off and the o-ring looked ok so I just put it back on and figured Id order a new hose. After I put it back together I tried to bleed it by jacking it up and going lock to lock many times, then let it run for awhile.

It worked great for about three or four minutes then I lost power steering and fan and the car got very hot. Almost pegged the gauge. I kept repeating the bleeding procedure and nothing. So I took it back apart and put it back together and the same thing. Worked great for a few minutes then nothing. Im so frustrated, I think theres air trapped somewhere. Anyone else have this issue?

Also when I pulled the hose off, the fitting underneath the hose that goes into the pump came off. There was a bigger o-ring on that but it looked ok too. Underneath that there was a little black springy plunger thing. Not sure if disturbing that may have something to do with it?

Any ideas?

 

[Venomiss]

Found these in a search for you:

http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-srt10-coupe-discussions/624413-power-steering-leak.html


http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-s...-2nd-power-steering-issue-less-than-3yrs.html

http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-srt10-coupe-discussions/629647-just-bought-broken-already.html

And this one too:
http://forums.viperclub.org/srt10-s...ne-power-steering-fluid-how-do-where-get.html

 

[Threesixes]

Thanks Venomiss. I had already found that and pm'ed Reidesign and he's helped me out a ton. Believe it or not I woke up the next day and the power steering and fan have been working great since. Almost. Now it stays at about 200 degrees or so unless I turn on the A/C. Then the temp starts to slowly head towords 220 or so and I just turn it off. There must have been and probably still is air in the line. I bet some worked its way out over night and thats why its been working way better. I'm not going to worry too much about it too much until I change the hose from the pump to the fan.

I do plan on joining the VCA eventually. Probably sooner than later, but I have a bunch going on right now. I really do appreciate all your guys help.

 

[Venomiss]

No worries-I know that the NorCal club has a few cruises coming up in May and a dinner meeting on June 1st. Might be a good one to meet up with some of your fellow Vipers.
Your area produces a very top notch newsletter too called Snake Eyes.




Let us know if you get the leak fixed and what you did to fix it.
That way it might help future Viper owners with the same problem.

 

[labtec]

My 04 also has a small leak from the top power steering hose fitting. I ordered the o-ring however I figured Murphy's law would apply and it would not correct it, I was right. Upon further inspection I realized although the hose nut was tight the metal piping moved loosely within the fitting. It appears that vibration and/or engine movement may be causing this failure after a period of time (22,000 miles for me). I have ordered the upper hose and will query the parts guy before picking it up as to what is included in the bag. I am also concerned that as the pipe became loose in the fitting the end of the tubing may have damaged the seating area where the o-ring is located, although it seems ok. Anyone else have any experience regarding the $70 fitting on the pump or the $152 hose? I'd appreciate any feed back and will update the thread on the final solution.

 

[Darbgnik]

My power steering hose between the fan and pump sprang a leak between the hose and the threaded fitting as well, right by the thermostat housing. Parts guy didn't know which hose end to order, so I had to call Chuck Tator for the correct info. Mine was loose to the touch as well, I guess thats just how they fail.

The hose itself was fine, but I couldn't separate the threaded end from the old hose, so I bought a new hose and fitting, as well. Cured the problem to date. If I remember, the lower hose connection on the fan, and myself had a few choice words before I got it seated.

Just remember to moisten the o-rings with some steering fluid before you install them, so they won't break.

 

[labtec]

Update: Replaced power steering hose/pipe (top of pump to bottom of fan). As noted previously the hose comes with only one connector, you need to order a second connector as they are not removable from the old hose. After driving 80 miles to pick up the wrong connector (as shown in the dodge database) I remembered someone else in the forum mentioning the correct part number. I called around and found one at a local stealership, they gave me a great price (roll eyes) of $56 down from $72. Anyway I installed the connectors using the end of a plastic screw driver handle to snap them onto the piping of the hose assembly, lubed the o-rings and checked to make sure they were seated properly. After some skin removal and bloodletting all is back together with no leaks. Thanks to everyone on the forum for the excellent information and "correct" part numbers, I'm back on the road

 

[Canyon707]

The hose fittings are like third world roads....... Crappy.... I replaced all hoses the fan pump and the steering pump 30k miles.

 

[Darbgnik]

Or Canadian roads...... third world.

 

[Mamba52]

Replaced mine too I now have oil cooler line leaks but this time its under warranty

 

[Hirkophoto]

I need to do this on my 06. Does anyone have the exact part numbers that need to be ordered? I know I need the hose and connector.<br>Thanks

 

[Darbgnik]

hose: 05102280AA
fitting: 52088914AA

according to my reciepts.........

 

[netapp]

I just took my upper line off too due to a leak. A friend of mine told me to take the upper fitting out of the pump, use a dremel to cut off the old fitting and just buy the new fitting which will I guess clip back in place over the metal hose. Is this how everyone else has done it?

 

[Allan]

*****....... but whatever... I'm on my 4th line and 3rd pump (including the originals), this and oil cooler lines (3rd set) -----if that's the worst problems with the car for as hard as I drive it, I won't complain. I don't get why the line only comes with one fitting either. I did "cut the old fitting off" of one just to see whats up with it. That wasn't easy. Oh yeah, I remember, it sucked!

 

[Hirkophoto]

Thanks, be ordering up these Monday.

 

[Viper X]

Having the same issue on my 04.

Found out that their are two O rings on the fitting that attaches to the top of the power steering pump, one that is visible at the bottom of the fitting (after you unscrew it) and one that is just barely visible inside the top of the fitting. I first changed the bottom O ring and it helped, but did not solve the slight drip. My hose is a bit loose in the pump when tightened too. This seems to be the "tell" and is a result of the top O ring failing.

FYI, their is a special tool, part #81036a44, that is used to remove the fitting from the line and it appears that if the line is in good condtion, you can simply take the fitting off of the line, install new O rings and re-install the line. I haven't tried this yet but will soon.

Before I learned of this, I ordered the new hose (ouch $$$$) and as above, it came with only one fitting, ARGH! Soooo, I'm now waiting on the second fitting and the special tool.

Good luck,

Dan

 

[netapp]

I just fixed my power steering leak which was leaking out of the fitting mentioned above. Many people are just buying the new line and new fitting. You can actually use a dremel tool and cut the fitting in the middle and remove just the fitting then slip the new fitting on the hose, relatively easy. I had this done in about an hour. No special tools were needed and only cost $75 for the fitting. PM me if someone needs more details on this.

 

[Nine Ball]

Good post. Mine was showing signs of a small leak a couple weeks ago, will replace just the fitting. Ordered it from Viper Parts of America:
https://www.viperpartsofamerica.com...wer-steering-quick-connect-fitting-52088914aa

Anyone take a photo of where they are cutting with a dremel? Just the very tip or something? When I had it out, I don't remember seeing a place to cut and remove the fitting.

 

[Sonoman]

Good post. Mine was showing signs of a small leak a couple weeks ago, will replace just the fitting. Ordered it from Viper Parts of America:
https://www.viperpartsofamerica.com...wer-steering-quick-connect-fitting-52088914aa

Anyone take a photo of where they are cutting with a dremel? Just the very tip or something? When I had it out, I don't remember seeing a place to cut and remove the fitting.

With all this talk of the leaky power steering tank upper hose, I went out with a bright flashlight and took a peek at mine. Damn it, mine is seeping too! It wasn't leaking last fall when I changed the thermostat. I had been noticing a few fumes rising out of the driver's side hood vent, though, which usually means fluids burning off on a hot surface.

One thing I gotta say for those Dodge Boys, they sure make 'em consistent. Had to replace the oil cooler hoses right after I bought the car, too. No leaks allowed!!

Looks like another VPA order is in the works, going to try the fitting method first (and I've got lots of Dremel and die grinder experience). Those Diamond-Life mini cut-off discs from Harbor Freight (for the Dremel Moto-Tool) work great for this kind of thing.

 

[netapp]

I used the heavy duty dremel cut off wheel. Cut around the fitting between the threads and the area that you put the wrench on. That is where the c clip is at on the inside so if you happen to grind to deep it will hit the c clip first. It only took 3 grinding wheels to go all around. Once you see the c clip on the first grind, keep going around , then the part with the threads will be loose, then slide it off the hose. Then remove the c clip and the upper portion will slide right off. Should take about 5 minutes total. A photo of the fitting once I cut and removed it is attached. I also covered everything with a towel so no metal shavings or parts of the cutoff wheel would get into anything.

 

[Nine Ball]

Interesting, so there is a tiny c-clip placed inside that fitting? The new fitting just snaps in place on the end of the tubing? Is there a groove or bump on the tube to engage that c-clip inside?

 

[netapp]

Yes, little c clip and there is a groove cut in the pipe which is why it is difficult to just remove the fitting without cutting.

 

[Nine Ball]

The next question is what is wrong with this setup that causes them all to leak over time? I wonder if there is some sort of modification or different fitting that could be used to make this a 1-time repair? My tube also feels loose, even when the fitting is tightened down. Not a good design.

 

[agdetail]

does anyone know if i have to save the c clamps or will it come with the new fittings?

 

[Viper Specialty]

New clips come with the fittings. However, that said, the OE clips are FAR better than the clips in the replacement fittings. The OE clips are a copper color. Beware of the blackened clips in the replacement fittings. They are not always square and can cause disconnect problems. We usually save the OE clips and replace them in the new fittings.

Side note: The single fitting that comes with the line kit is a GOOD fitting/clip. The ones that come separately are the questionable ones.

 

[agdetail]

i ordered the fittings from vpa. hopefully it is the one in copper. i did save the original ones but i used a flat blade to remove them so they are stretched. if the new ones are black, can i pick them out and slide this one in?

 

[Viper X]

I second what Dan says, always save every part you think you might possibly be able to re-use, including nuts, bolts, clips, etc.

Replacement parts, even from Mopar, aren't always exactly the same as OE build parts.

Good luck,

Dan

 

[Viper Specialty]

i ordered the fittings from vpa. hopefully it is the one in copper. i did save the original ones but i used a flat blade to remove them so they are stretched. if the new ones are black, can i pick them out and slide this one in?

Highly unlikely. Have dozens on the shelf. Zero came with good clips.

Thanks for patronage.

 

[malcoll]

Bought the fitting yesterday... pulled the old one today.. came off fairly easily... only one cut off wheel to separate the old fitting from the hose. Looking at this think I cannot see where the failure occurred? I guess the upper o-ring just get's old and hard and doesn't seal properly?? So who bought the special tool to remove the fitting from the hose end? Where did you get it and how did it work? Would be nice to just remove the fitting... replace the O-rings and reinstall... or I'll just by three or four of these fittings and keep them handy.

By the way this is the same fitting for the 2001 through 200? Jeep Grand Cherokee.. probably a few other dodge cars as well... ridiculous that Dodge doesn't design better parts.....

 

[Dan Cragin]

Dan is right, we had numerous hose fitting failures when replacing these hoses. We ended up uses aftermarket hoses that do not use the disconnect type fitting.