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Working on replacing my power steering pump, and running into issues in putting everything back together.I was initially going to replace the lines as well, but I ran into the same issue as this guy. I gave up as soon as I started deforming the nut. (At this point I did not have a flare nut wrench set)
I have the new pump in, new o-ring on the old high pressure line's fitting, and dealing with the fitting leaking under load.
First, I torqued it to german spec, and it leaked a little under load. After disassembling it, I saw that the (new) o-ring was slightly damaged. I assumed I over-tightened it. So when I put it back together, I just got it fairly snug. Started the car again, and it was leaking a hell of a lot more.
Under both "torques" the metal line was solid / stationary.
How tight does this nut need to be? I now have a set of flare nut wrenches. Do I need to make it tight as possible? Get a crowfoot wrench set? Somehow get my torque wrench in there?
Change the high pressure hose. I tried every color O-ring and the only way I managed to stop the leak was to install a new hose assembly. There was no visible evidence to support replacing anything but the O-rings but the "bubble" end of the hard line must have been deformed. Make sure the hose assy. comes with 2 new O-rings. NAPA was the only local parts store that had a few in the warehouse for same day pick-up.
Change the high pressure hose. I tried every color O-ring and the only way I managed to stop the leak was to install a new hose assembly. There was no visible evidence to support replacing anything but the O-rings but the "bubble" end of the hard line must have been deformed. Make sure the hose assy. comes with 2 new O-rings. NAPA was the only local parts store that had a few in the warehouse for same day pick-up.
Okay. I guess that's not a bad idea. I already have the hose. Just means taking everything off again :')
The lines crack at the flare. There should be a clip that holds the line to the main aluminum bracket to reduce flex. Looks like yours is there. Doug Rippie sells a kit to replace it with a braided line.
Got the hoses off. Had to cut the return line at the nut, and use a 6-point 18 and a breaker bar.
Anyway,
It seems the high pressure replacement hose I ordered does not fit properly. I ordered this which rockauto states will fit an LT4.
It routes in a completely different way than my original line. Instead of turning down, then turning towards the driver's seat, then taking a u-turn toward the rack, it immediately turns toward the rack.
I cannot figure out a good way to route the damn thing. I cannot line up the pump fitting and/or not block the return line to the PS cooler. Even if I could get it all to line up, the bracket wouldn't line up either. Much less room to work with in general.
Is there a difference in power steering lines for the Z51 package? Not sure it matters. But for more info, mine has the Z51 handling package.
Please note the below pictures. First four are the old line I removed. Last pic is of the line partially installed (into the rack)
Personally, I run the adapter and make a custom hose with AN fittings. Every aftermarket hose I've used, they tend to crack (leak) where they flare them out.
To which one you'll need if you're going ot run those, not quite sure. Looks like you bought the right one but might have to figure out to fit it in place. Start with the fact the pump side has to aim "back" to clear the pulley and go from there.
This is the original way I attempted to route the high pressure hose
Which was incorrect and near impossible to get the fitting even near the pump
THIS is the correct way to route the hose
Everything lines up perfectly. The pump and even the bracket.
On to preventing the original leak, I got new o-ring from my local chevy parts/service department. Ensure all fittings were extremely clean. Soaked the o-rings in PS fluid before install. And when screwing in the fittings, made sure the nipples(??) were plumb with the fittings they go in. I was able to hand tighten everything until the nuts were seated, then german spec'd with flare wrenches the rest of the way,
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LT4 Power Steering High Pressure Fitting Leak
