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View Full Version : Power Steering Return Line Problems - Help



Pete Debono
30-10-2015, 05:19 PM
Hey guys!

I'm new here. Had a quick search and couldn't find anything related to my problem so here's a new thread. I have a b5 a4 1.8 from 1996

A few weeks ago I was driving to university and as I almost arrived I heard a metallic noise and felt the steering wheel stiffen out. The power steering pump went. Fluid was being sprayed everywhere. So my Dad and I ordered a new pump and after waiting a week we swapped it out ourselves (was pretty fun considering I've never really done much work on cars before). We were hoping that would be that. But when we went to crank the engine for the first time to make sure everything was in order, fluid was still spewing out! This time I deduced it was coming from the return line hose - it has a hole at the end (just before the rubber pipe connects to the plastic pipe which then passes around the radiator).

We jacked the car up to try and get a look underneath and follow the return line so that we can see how to remove it but it connects to a metal pipe and trails behind the engine (to the steering rack I presume).

We have no idea how to get it out/what the part # is so that we can order a new one.. I was wondering whether we could fix the pipe (possibly through splicing the rubber part?) my Dad reckons we can't as it is a high pressure pipe and would leak instantly.

Any help would be appreciated. Have scoured the internet and can't find any guides to replace the return line hose. Really miss driving my car as it has been out of action for the past 3 weeks :(

Crasher
30-10-2015, 05:53 PM
You would have to get a specialist hydraulics company to repair it for you, these systems operates at 110 to 120 Bar which is 1600>1740 psi.

Pete Debono
30-10-2015, 05:59 PM
Well I guess that option is out the window. Know how to change it?

Crasher
30-10-2015, 06:17 PM
Yes, you unbolt it, take it out, put the new one in and bolt it down.....

Pete Debono
30-10-2015, 07:00 PM
I don't think it's that simple..

niall campbell
31-10-2015, 12:39 AM
look up agricultural engineer as well, somewhere that fixes tractors / diggers also

Crasher
31-10-2015, 02:57 PM
I don't think it's that simple..

It never is... As one of my technicians says, something along the lines of "congratulations on the internet finding out what is wrong with your car, now try and get the internet to fix it!", I can't remember the exact quote.