Power steering Hoses

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

Hey all,
The power steering hose from the rack to the cooler on my 93 ATX rubbed a hole and needs to be replaced. I found a new hose and was able to get out the original hose. I am reading posts here about how the 93 ATX has more room. Is that a joke?

I spent a good deal of time under the car removing the hose from the steering rack. There is not much room at all. I had to move the wrench maybe 10 degrees and then flip and then 10 degrees again. Repeat until out.

Now I am having a very difficult time aligning the new hose fitting to the rack. Is there an easy way to do this?
I am almost at the point of towing the car to a shop to have them finish the job.

I cannot get both hands in there from the bottom, which is required to properly align the hose fitting.
Do I need to unbolt the rack and drop the rear of the subframe? Should I disconnect the motor mounts, unbolt the rack and put a jack under the motor as to allow the subframe to drop a little without the engine moving?

This has be a real PITA!

I am open to suggestions.

Michael

 

[Irish Pride]

The ATX engine and trans sit further forward in the engine compartment than the MTX ones do. There is more room to work with on an ATX car.

If you can't get the new hose in as it sits then just lower the rear of the subframe. Set the car chassis on stands and lower the subframe as if you were doing SF bushings. That should give you the room that you need.

-Chad

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

Well, that was no fun at all. 3 hours to get the hose on to the rack. I had Tracy hold the fitting while blindly reaching through the wheel well. I was underneath with a long screwdriver to align and the other hand a 19mm wrench. I barely had enough room for my hand and the wrench. It was not possible to turn the fitting by hand.

Performing a 60K maintenance is a cake walk compared to changing that hose. I think if I ever need to have the rack replaced, I will take my SHO to a local garage that specializes in muscle cars.

Michael

 

[BaySHO Performance]

Yes, they are a PTA. The nuts on a new hose can be difficult to turn. They loosen up somewhat if you **** them with power steering fluid. Wrench for them should be 11/16" although a little looser 18mm will suffice.

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

Yes it was a PITA. I lubed the nut with fluid, but I still could not turn the nut with my hands once in position. I used a 19mm wrench as that was a perfect fit. Then next trouble spot was trying to remove the old hose that went from the cooler to the reservoir. I abandoned the old line and used that to Ty-wrap the new line. Then getting a Ty-wrap back on the heat shield. Some very long needle nose pliers and a coat hanger did the trick.

Hopefully the new lines will last longer. The old lines rubbed a hole where they came in contact with the transmission.

230k miles

Later,
Michael