When it was super cold here in Chicago,( 11 F ) I woke up to a nice big puddle under the car, first I thought it was coolant and thought that maybe the thermostat housing broke as that is a common issue but the car had coolant so I turned to power steering. The reservoir was empty but I drove the car and the power steering and everything felt the same. I read a few threads on here but everyone has a different opinion on it being either the rack, pump, reservoir, or the supply and return lines. Some people just put a new clamp on the supply line but some people say it's a temporary fix. I know that ECS tuning sells a supply and return line kit that replaces both lines and the clamps for $100. Wondering what do you guys think it is. I am doing rear brakes and an oil change this weekend so I'll try to figure out the power steering leak. Should I just get the clamp first and some fluid and see whether it leaks or get the lines. I have eliminated the pump and the rack as my car only has about 68,000 miles and because they worked just fine after the fluid leaked out.

Any help will be appreciated.

 

The only way to know for sure is to check everything, but odds are it's the lines. I'm on my third set.

Just changing the clamp is only a temporary fix. It will eventually leak again.

Oh, and try not to drive it without at least some fluid in the reservoir...

 

Where did you buy the lines - Pelican, ECS or the dealer.
Yeah ill try not to. Good we have options on what car I can drive

 

I remember being in a pinch with a sizeable leak the last time I did it and not having one in my parts bin, so I probably bought one from Way since I only lived a mile from his old shop at the time. I only changed the inlet line the first time, and I don't remember where I bought that one. It could have been ECS. FCPEuro is also worth a shot.

 

Recently had this same issue, although mine wasn't a massive leak just enough to notice on the garage floor which made me investigate. For me, it ended up being the supply/return lines (I also ordered a new reservoir too.) Ordered parts from FCPEuro. Roughly 1 hour of fumbling through the replacement and no more leaks.

 

Mine started leaking pretty bad (appox 4oz/week) @75k.
Replaced both lines, crush ring and clamps with an 'unbranded' from Ebay $28.
It's been over a year +, and haven't leaked a drop (@84k). Crossing my fingers. It's one job I didn't enjoy.

 

Thank You so much for the information. I ordered lines from Detriot tuned as they had the whole kit with OEM lines and I just prefer ordering through them. I guess I have a lot of work for the weekend. Rear brake, lines and oil change

 

Here is the DIY and parts just to make sure you fix it. With the links to our parts.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hose-pics.html

 

Just started working on the power steering leak and I come to find some fluid still in the reservoir. Would a whole reservoir leak because of the o ring on the cap or maybe the reservoir cracked in spot that’s on the bottom.

 

Not really seen them crack, most of the time the hose leaks at the neck. I have seen people break the small tube off the bottom when messing with it.

 

Hey ECS I got to taking off the lines yesterday. The return line which I think is the one that has a bolt on the end was fully covered in fluid and was dripping a little bit and so the was the pump. I already ordered both lines so I’ll replace them but I’m pretty sure that should fix my leak since the reservoir has no visible cracks. Car should be done tomorrow. Will reply with results

 

When I had my power steering leak this was exactly the culprit as ECS is explaining. Both lines were leaking at the top of the lines at the neck where they attached to the reservoir. The feed line seemed to be the worse of the two, which leaked down onto the pump, soaking that.