Mytruck is an old 2004 plow truck that is rusty. Driven maybe 2K miles a year.
Backing into my driveway yesterday I felt something happen in the power sterring. Letig the smoke subside, I found the pressure sensor on the high preassure ower sterring hose had let loose. When cold, this thing is really hard to turn and it sounds like the pump is starving for oil (it's not).

I'll be replacing the line and trying to flush the old oil, but is it possible that the pressure is to high? A restriction somewhere in the rack or something?

Can I pressure test this, or is there a common failure point to look at?

 

Did you replace the sensor?

 

I wasn't clear, it blew apart where the sensor goes. i have to replace the line. I found out becuase P/S was spraying onto my exhasut manifold and smoking.

It must be the PS fluid pushes against a diaphram and pushes the switch. I'm thinking the presure was so high that it burst that fitting on the hose.

 

Hydraulic lines fail for a variety of reasons...... Generally, they are made to tolerate whatever max pressure the pump can put out. But, this IS an automotive application, so its entirely possible the manufacturer cheaped out on it.

I assume you replaced the line, and bled the system??

 

The line itself is fine. The hose has no signs of failure and the hard lines are good.
I wish I had a good picture of it. The sensor looks to be part of the line and the engine harness plugs into the line. The sensor that is part of the line blew the sensor off by stripping the threads. In other words the weakest link seemed to be those threads
My real question is why would there be that much pressure. I assume there is a relief or bypass someplace, that should stop this from happening.

 

Maybe the sensor was overtightened when it was assembled... Who knows.

The system itself is pretty much self-regulating. Hydraulic systems, by their very nature, operate on some pretty serious pressures.

I am curious though, how did you solve having a hole in the high pressure line?

 

Rusted nut that held the sensor in place
I just replaced the line. The picture shows what happened. The "nut" holding the sensor in place rusted apart. The line was an OEM line with a 2013 date (04-13 9 years, 13-22 9 years)
After emptying the tank and running fresh fluid though it, assist loss and "whining" seems to be gone. It was more a problem when it was cold out. There won't be single digit weather here for some time, but it was fine in 26 degrees this morning..