Power steering leak from metal tube

[HantsHog]

Whilst performing my oil change (still ongoing stuck filter) I noticed that there was an oily drip from the underside skid tray under the engine. The oil seems clear and a bit thicker than diesel but no smell. I removed the tray and can see two metal pipes where about a six inch section is covered in this oil but nothing obvious coming from above.

These tubes (one above the other) seems to be a continuous tube that drops down from the driver side runs along to the passenger side under the cooling fan, goes into a rubber hose and does a 180 u-turn and back to the second metal hose that run under the first back up on the drivers side. The top pipe goes to a white plastic container with a black cap and the bottom pipe into something inline with the steering column. So I'm assuming it's something to do with the power steering. I'm assuming this long section of u-bend pipe is for cooling as it's only a few inches from the white reservoir to the steering thing to which it connects.

Anyhow, the leak is somewhere on one of those pipes under the radiator within that six inch section possibly at the clip.

I'm assuming one or both of those pipes are corroded.

How can I tell which pipe is leaking or should I just replace both pipes and will it involve draining the whole power steering system? Is it a pain in the bum job?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[elty001]

The aluminium pipe corrodes behind the mounting brackets and starts to leak.
I shortened my aluminium pipe,flared the end and fitted a new length of oil resistant hose.
That was about 3 years ago and still going strong :thumb2
For a quick fix while you source new parts just remove the curved rubber hose that joins the two aluminium pipes together and fit it at the pump to bypass the leak.
Power steering fluid will have to be drained but it's not too big of a job.

 

[billycan]

leaky pipe

repaired mine with 10mm copper and a couple of 10 mm brass compression fittings type used in domestic plumbing easy to bend and connects to the alloy pipe with a good fit

 

[HantsHog]

The aluminium pipe corrodes behind the mounting brackets and starts to leak.
I shortened my aluminium pipe,flared the end and fitted a new length of oil resistant hose.
That was about 3 years ago and still going strong :thumb2
For a quick fix while you source new parts just remove the curved rubber hose that joins the two aluminium pipes together and fit it at the pump to bypass the leak.
Power steering fluid will have to be drained but it's not too big of a job.

So when you say "flared" I take it this means making the ends of the pipe slightly wider to create some kind of lip. Each end is inserted into the pipe (rubber?) and then clamped with jubilee clips rather like the u-bend hose. I assume the flared lip acts as a sealing edge within the tube. Am I correct? What do you use to cut and flare the pipe keeping it round? Also did you use specialist high pressure pipe?

Thanks

Sent from my Alba 10" using Tapatalk

 

[Sweety]

Mine sprung a leak there on my old T2 went to breakers & got some rubber power steering pipe off a micra (9 mm ID) cut the alloy pipes behind the mountings & sleeved the rubber hose over the joins hose clipped rubber pipe in place & made up some new mountings & it never leaked again

 

[elty001]

So when you say "flared" I take it this means making the ends of the pipe slightly wider to create some kind of lip. Each end is inserted into the pipe (rubber?) and then clamped with jubilee clips rather like the u-bend hose. I assume the flared lip acts as a sealing edge within the tube. Am I correct? What do you use to cut and flare the pipe keeping it round? Also did you use specialist high pressure pipe?

Thanks

Sent from my Alba 10" using Tapatalk

We have a tool at work for making the hose tail ends on pipe as we make alot of gen sets and use it on the steel fuel lines.
The hose is high pressure hydraulic hose from local hydraulics place.

 

[HantsHog]

It sounds straight forward to repair but when I chop out the section of old metal pipe can I use a bog standard junior hacksaw or do I need something a bit more refined? I have an air cut-off tool so this might be better.

Also what sort of clips can I use to secure the rubber pipe on the old pipe?

Thanks

 

[Banshee]

See this post with pics from my Project Thread :thumb2

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=307353&postcount=259

 

[HantsHog]

See this post with pics from my Project Thread :thumb2

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=307353&postcount=259

Brilliant. Thanks.

Sent from my Alba 10" using Tapatalk

 

[Blocky10]

See this post with pics from my Project Thread :thumb2

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=307353&postcount=259

Quality post. Mines a bit wet and had been repaired before using push fittings! Not by me.
Have you noticed any difference since chopping it out?
Ian.

 

[Banshee]

Quality post. Mines a bit wet and had been repaired before using push fittings! Not by me.
Have you noticed any difference since chopping it out?
Ian.

Only that I haven't got power steering fluid on the floor anymore where I park it :lol

But being serious, no difference in feel and no noises etc so all good, been keeping an eye on fluid colour too and it's still nice and cherry red :thumb2

 

[HantsHog]

Only that I haven't got power steering fluid on the floor anymore where I park it[emoji38]
But being serious, no difference in feel and no noises etc so all good, been keeping an eye on fluid colour too and it's still nice and cherry red :thumb2

Red? Mind's gold\yellow. Mmmm maybe its overdue a change after 130k!

Sent from my Alba 10" using Tapatalk

 

[elty001]

The Ali pipe work is a cooling circuit for the fluid but I don't think the temp in this country calls for it.

 

[Blocky10]

Great. Cheers.
Another job on the list

 

[Blocky10]

Great. Cheers.
Another job on the list

 

[HantsHog]

See this post with pics from my Project Thread :thumb2

http://www.nissan4x4ownersclub.com/forum/showpost.php?p=307353&postcount=259

Banshee, daft question but did you use any specialist tool, e.g. pipe cutter, to chop those metal pipes or was it a simple hacksaw job?

 

[Banshee]

Banshee, daft question but did you use any specialist tool, e.g. pipe cutter, to chop those metal pipes or was it a simple hacksaw job?

Just a hacksaw mate, was going to use the angle grinder but didn't want a fire and access was difficult where I wanted to get into