By Ron Ward (Ronward) on Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 09:29 pm: Edit

1997 Disco 4.0...

I was cleaning my K&N air filter and noticed the connection hoses coming from the bottom of the reservoir containing power steering fluid (ATF?) and leading to the steering box were covered in fluid. Nothing was dripping to the floor or anywhere really. The hoses are covered in gook (mud and ATF mixture) and appear to be leaking at the connection at the base of the reservoir. Enough has run down the hoses and has covered the steering box.

My rig under warranty so should I have the dealer check it out the next time I'm in Atlanta or is this something to get fixed pronto. I checked the reservoir level and it was ok, not to the max, but not too low either.

Ron W.

By E Snyder on Sunday, November 25, 2001 - 10:41 pm: Edit

I think they all leak there. Tighten up the clamp. You can also cut an inch or so off the hose and re-clamp it to get rid of any splits.

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 04:21 pm: Edit

Put real clamps on the hoses - the OEM ones suck.

Yeah, they all do that.

keith
discosaurus

By Ron Ward (Ronward) on Monday, November 26, 2001 - 05:18 pm: Edit

I noticed the stock clamps looked pretty silly. Just pull off the old and on with the new and hope not to lose too much fluid in the process? Is it safe to just remove the clamps at the steering box and fix everything and then refill the reservoir?

Ron W.

By Jeffrey Sipress (Jghere) on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 12:11 am: Edit

Replace the hoses. I did after the purple fluid was everywhere.

By JCC on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 08:36 am: Edit

I just put a HD screw type clamp over the factory one and my problems were solved!

By nadim on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 10:26 am: Edit

well...i did that, and put 2 table spoons of DOT 4 brake oil, as it has the property to expand the seals, and then stopping the leak...

been there for 4 years now!

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 02:27 pm: Edit

Replace the clamps and top off. If your hoses are not to old, there's no need to replace them, yet. I don't think any fluid will come out when the clamps are off - there's no pressure when the engine's not running.

After that, degrease it and keep an eye open for new leaks that aren't hose clamp related.

keith
discosaurus

By Ron Ward (Ronward) on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 - 04:49 pm: Edit

Keith,

How old is old? They are original on a 1997 Disco so that makes them close to 5 years old...

Ron W.

By Brian on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 02:12 am: Edit

I have a '97 SD and had the exact same problem. Mine leaked to the point where I was adding fluid weekly and kept a pile of dry sweep/kitty litter on the garage floor under the PS gearbox. I took a pair of needle-nosed pliers and removed the pitiful factory "clamps" and replaced them with good quality hose clamps (size #6). Simply disassemble the new clamp to enable you to slip it around the appropriate hose(s), then reassemble and tighten. That way you will not create a mess by removing the hoses and spilling fluid. My leak is now absolutely, totally zero. I was amazed at how those cheap factory clamps were so ineffective, and how replacing them really solved the problem. Total cost: $3.00.

By Tom P. on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 04:18 am: Edit

I periodically have to tighten the hose clamps to stop some seep from the PS hoses. I'll have to check to see if there is enought hose to actually cut some of before re-clamping (I don't believe there is). Part of the problem with older hoses is that the hose material itself collapses under the clamp, eventually you have to cut some off or replace the hose.

TOm P.

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Wednesday, November 28, 2001 - 11:52 am: Edit

How old is old ? A timeless question

I don't know. My rule of thumb (which I've broken so far on the Disco) with water hoses is 5-6 years. IMO, power steering hoses are about the same as water hoses. Grab 'em and give 'em a squeeze. If they feel 'funny', think about replacement.

They sure can't cost too much - can they {shudder} ?

keith
discosaurus