High pressure steering line,leak,replace

[northwichita]

Hi a local shop want about 160 to put in the high pressure steering line for the rack, and I 'm asking for advice on doing it myself. The hard part is the fitting by the rack of course. Question , how much can I lower the cradle on the rear without disconnecting the pinch bolt for the steering shaft? None?. Or, could I just take off the mounting bolts for the rack,which I haven't looked at yet (the mounting bolts that is), to give me more free play when lowering the engine cradle a few inches, which I need get access to that pipe fitting on the rack. Guess I'd like any help from someone who's done this before. I tried moving up that rubber seal boot around the steering shaft to get to the pinch bolt on it and couldn't really move it, and I'd like to get around it somehow, I'm not comfortable with disconnecting steering components..
Thanks in advance. Northwichita

[maxwedge]

Not knowing what year car this is, general advice would be found at autozone.com, repair guides.

[northwichita]

97 lumina sedan with 3.1 liter.

[idahotruckertim]

I had a similar problem with my'90 lumina - it has the 2.5L 4 cyl tho - I bought the hose and took it to a small shop and paid them to replace the hose that way if it leaks or ruptures, its on them, not you

[K6je]

I have the same problem with the high pressure hose on the steering pump leaking. It is 3.1 1996 lumina. The question that I did not see get an answer, "Is it possible to replace this high pressure line without lower the rack?"

[maxwedge]

Yes, but the subframe should come down slightly.

[northwichita]

I had a question follow up, so I thought I'd post a reply, I did finally replace it myself, after giving it up once, taking it to a shop, who didn't get to it on a Friday, they didn't know if I wanted to spend the 165 on labor to do it ( does the car look that bad!) . Anyway I had a weekend and took it back. Followed the repair instructions in Haynes manual, also at autozone.com .
I first drove the car up on the car ramps. Jacked up once side up a little more. Disconnected the two bolts connecting the rack to the frame to allow movement (had to disconnect the bolts holding the small cooling tubes for the power steering fluid also). I then lowered the rear sub frame. Driver's side bolt all way out. Passenger side out about 3/4 way. ( I did check the rack after lowering, it didn't seem to move up, the steering shaft must have some play built in it. This was my choice not to take off, the pinch bolt that is.Instructions say to disconnect) Lowering the sub frame allows space to maneuver my line wrench to get to the nut holding the line in. Really tight. I had considered hacksawing the old line off so I'd have more freedom to use swivel adapter and sockets, but didn't have to do it. After some struggle did get the old line nut loose and took out the old line. The replacement line from autozone didn't fit, didn't line up on the bottom, tough to reach, side. Took it out once to compare, looked the same as the old one . In, and out again. I twisted the end about 20 degrees in the angle that would fit. I got lucky, it fit. Hours have gone by. I lower the one jack and bolted up the subframe bolts, tightening everything, and ran it adding fluid as needed. Note I did put jack stands under the ends of the subframe I was loosening, I did want to survive the repair. Neck was sore for days , but I did it myself and saved some cash>.

[slingslingbinks]

My p/s line from the pump to the rack leaked on my 91 lumina with a 3.1 L motor and i replaced it with out lowering the cradle. i took my motor tilt tool and leaned the motor ahead as far as i could get it and tool a 18 MM flair crow foot socket with long extensions and broke the line loose on the rack and swapped it out. 9$ for the socket at carquest was eaiser than lowering the cradle. Good luck.

[maxwedge]

Good info but this thread had been dead for 1.5 years! Check the dates first, thanks.

[slingslingbinks]

i just wanted to add my 2 cents in. I feel it may help some one out that looks at the older threads