I've had this problem many times. I've replaced the crimp on clamps from the factory with worm screw clamps and that stopped the leak for a little while. The second time, I went to the stealership and bought a new power steering hose. I think it cost about $20, but it hasn't leaked in the 6 months I've had it. The ends are a little different on the new ones, they actually have metal fittings on them where the old ones didn't, I think,

 

My 02 had one of the hose clamps put on below the end of the pipe nipple so no clamp pressure on hose> Just added another clamp above factory clamp.

 

RamTate,

I have an '05 Ram and I had the same problem with the hose at the bottom of my powersteering res leaking. All I had to do was adjust the clamp on the hose and it was fixed, I hope thats all you have to do.

 

I noticed a puddle in the driveway a week or so ago under my '04 Ram, crawled under and found the steering pump covered with fluid. I read the posts here, and very much appreciate the insight - I'm thinking that I'll try to replace the clamp on the high pressure hose soon and see if that stops the leak.

Here's my question: when removing the old clamp, will I need a bucket or something to catch the fluid from the hose that will be disconnected briefly while I'm replacing the clamp? In other words, is there any fluid pressure in the hose when the engine is off?

I'd appreciate hearing from someone that replaced one or both of the clamps on their Ram so that I can prevent a bigger mess when I actually get around to replacing one or both of the clamps.

Also, for anyone who might have purchased a hose from the dealer, did you need to catch some fluid while replacing the hose? I haven't looked at where the other end went, is the other end fairly accessible to R&R?

Thanks for any reply!

 

As a follow up to the previous post, I read in a Hanes manual that anytime the power steering hoses have been removed, the system should be bled. The procedure Hanes gave was to turn on the engine, then turn the wheel from side to side, but not lock to lock several times to bleed the air out. Does anyone have any advice as to whether this is the way to bleed a power steering system after a hose has been replaced?

I did put some extra clamps on the high pressure hose today after moving the other ones inward on the hose a bit. That way I didn't have to remove the hoses. I had power washed the area earlier in the day, then inspected the area when I got home to see where the leak might be. Sure enough, the new fluid was around the high pressure hose connections by the front radiator cooler and the power steering pump.

The hose looked to be in good condition, but the connections were loose with the clamps on - you could turn the hoses on the fittings with your hands. After the worm screw clamps were in place, the hoses seemed more secure.

 

Who is using the crossmember as a jackpoint? Most shops I know of have lifts that will pick it up using the frame rails.

 

Rambloo did you fix the leak?
I ask because I noticed mine is now leaking from that general area and I'll be attacking it this weekend.
Thanks
Jay

 

Yes, it looks like the leak stopped. I put some oil absorbent sand on the driveway on the spot where it leaked, and so far (2 days) it hasn't shown any new fluid on the ground. I haven't driven it as much the last two days (been under the weather), so I will post again on it next week. Allow about an hour to do the job, including cleanup. Make sure that the clamps you get can unscrew all the way, and then go back together again if you are not planning on removing the hoses. That way you can wrap the clamp around the hose after moving the old one and tighten it up.

Hope it goes well with yours!

 

haha this is too funny. ive already replaced it all, p/s hose and switch, and my left rack and pinnion. ive got 38,900 miles on my truck.

 

OK - 1 week gone by, no leaks. The new clamps did the trick. Gave a visual inspection this morning and the hoses are dry, the area is still clean. Did it all for a few dollars (clamps and fluid) and a little "ground" work. Got 70,000+ on the truck, the hoses are original equipment.