How to Replace a Power Steering Hose

The power steering hose is what contains the power steering fluid from the power steering pump to the rack and back from the rack to the power steering pump. If there’s a leak in the power steering hose, or if it becomes rotten, you’ll need to replace the power steering hose. However, it’s an easy job to complete.

Step 1 - Safety

Because power steering fluid is very flammable, replacing the power steering hose is a job you should only undertake when the car engine is completely cold. If some of the fluid lands on a hot exhaust manifold, you could end up with a fire. If the engine is hot, the result will be the same. It’s safer to wait an hour or 2.

Step 2 - Power Steering Pump

Put the container under the engine, positioning it so it will catch drips from the power steering hose. Locate the two hoses that are joined to the power steering pump. One of them, the upper hose, will be bigger. Trace the hoses to the control valve.

To remove the hoses, begin with the lower hose. It should be held onto the power steering pump by a hose clamp. You’ll need to loosen this with a screw driver and then pull the hose away from the pump, letting the fluid fall into the container. Now, do the same thing with the lower power steering hose. You’ll probably find it’s held on by a nut. If this is the case, use your line wrench to loosen the nut then remove it and ease off the hose.

Step 3 - Control Valve

When you move to the control valve end of the power steering hoses, you’ll see that they’re both attached to the control valve by nuts. You’ll need to loosen and remove these nuts in order to take off the power steering hoses.

Now, attach new power steering hoses to the control valve, securing them with the nuts and tightening the nuts with your wrench.

Step 4 - Hooking Up

Feed the new power steering hoses up to the power steering pump. Attach the lower hose with the nut, tightening it completely with the line wrench. For the upper hose, use a fresh hose clamp and tighten it with the screwdriver, making sure the hose is seated firmly.

Step 5- New Fluid

The final step in replacing the power steering hose is adding more fluid to replace all that’s been lost in the replacement. To do this, remove the dipstick from the pump and pour fresh fluid in there. You’ll find the tube at the back of the power steering pump. Once it appears full, turn on your car’s engine.

Now, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left and the right. Repeat this several times before turning off the engine. Check the power steering fluid level with the dipstick and add more if needed. Don’t overfill; make sure it doesn’t go above the “Full” level.

Replace a Power Steering Hose FAQ

What is the cost to replace a power steering hose?

The average cost of steering hose replacement is $75 to over $90 for the parts and $125 to over $150 for the labor.

How long does it take to fix a power steering hose?

Fixing a power steering hose is not an incredibly extensive DIY project. You can complete the entire thing in about two hours or less.

Can I drive my car with a busted power steering hose?

Technically speaking, you can continue to drive the car even when the steering hose is malfunctioning. However, it will become more and more difficult to steer the vehicle and therefore, it will be more and more difficult for you to drive.

As power steering becomes harder to control, you will be in more danger.

What causes a power steering hose to go bad?

Power steering hoses are made of rubber, a material that will become hard and brittle and worn out over time. The rubber will eventually degrade and become cracked and broken.

High temperatures and wear and tear will cause the hose to break down and go bad over time.

What happens when power steering hose goes out?

As your steering hose goes bad, you will notice that it becomes more difficult to steer. You may also notice power steering fluid leaking from your vehicle.