North American Motoring

Mini Cooper 2001-2006: How to Replace Power Steering Hose

Power steering fluid routes through more than six feet of hoses and lines in your engine bay. All these hoses and connections make prime areas for leaks to develop. In this how-to, you'll be shown where the hose connections are and what tools you'll need to complete the job.

By Weston Chadwick - July 7, 2016
Contributors: Ol Blue

This article applies to the Mini Cooper R50 and R53 (2001-2006).

Power steering lines must maintain high amounts of pressure. The combination of heat, wear, and clamps that loosen over time result in a common problem experienced by most Mini owners. While some owners find that replacing clamps with screw type styles work to fix the leak, this fix is often only temporary. Owners report being quoted over $500 for this repair, making it a great way to save cash if you handle it yourself.

Mini Cooper 2001-2006: How to Replace Power Steering Hose

Materials Needed

  • Floor jack with at least 2 jack stands
  • 3/8" ratchet with 3" and 6" extension
  • Metric socket set (8mm-22mm)
  • Hose clamp pliers
  • Drain pan
  • Fluid evacuator
  • Vacuum cap and hose compression pliers (optional)
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Diagonal cutting pliers
  • Screw type hose clamps
  • Impact wrench or breaker bar
  • 2 liters of Pentosin CHS-11S power steering fluid
  • Rubber gloves
  • Safety glasses

Mini, like most European vehicles that have hydraulic power steering, are filled from the factory with Pentosin CHF-11S power steering fluid. Most auto parts stores do carry this on the shelf. Mixing power fluids is not advised.

mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 1. The recommended power steering fluid for your Mini.

Step 1 – Raise and support the vehicle

You'll need to remove the front driver's side wheel in a later Step. If you don't have an impact wrench, loosen the lug bolts with the wheel on the ground with a 17mm deep socket and a breaker bar. Set the front end of the car on jack stands and then pull the wheel off.

(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Car - NorthAmericanMotoring.com)

mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 2. Jack points.

Step 2 – Remove the power steering fluid

Use a turkey baster, fluid transfer pump, or fluid evacuator to remove the fluid from the reservoir. The more fluid you get out, the less will drip on you when you remove the hoses.

mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 3. Removing the fluid from the reservoir.

Step 3 – Unbolt the power steering reservoir

  • First, remove the hose from the coolant overflow tank by squeezing the metal clamp with pliers.
  • Remove the three 10mm bolts holding the reservoir to the bracket and firewall.
mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 4. Removing the coolant overflow hose and power steering reservoir bolts.

Step 4 – Remove the power steering fan

  • Move underneath the vehicle and locate the fan.
  • Remove the two 10mm bolts holding the fan to the frame.
  • Unplug the electrical connector from the fan.
mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 5. Removing the power steering fan.

Step 5 – Remove inlet hose from power steering pump

  • To reduce the mess that will be created when the hose is removed, have a vacuum cap and hose compression pliers ready.
  • Squeeze the inlet hose near the pump with the pliers.
  • Using a flat head screwdriver and diagonal cutters, remove the Oetiker clamp from the inlet hose.
  • Pry the end of the clamp away from the hose to release the tension.
  • It's o.k. to use screw style clamps when installing the new hose.
mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 6. Removing the inlet hose from the power steering pump.

Step 6 – Remove the hoses from the reservoir

  • The reservoir hoses use the same style clamp as Step 5.
  • The inlet hose is closer to the engine.
  • Remove the front driver's side wheel.
mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 7. Removing the hoses from the reservoir.

Step 7 – Remove fluid return pipe from the steering rack

  • Look between the fender well and strut to locate the return pipe.
  • Remove the 22mm banjo bolt holding it to the steering rack. It's the upper most bolt.
  • There will still be some fluid in the line. Have a drain pan ready.
  • You may need an extension and swivel.
  • These bolts strip easily, so use care while installing/re-installing.
mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 8. Removing the return pipe from the steering rack.

Step 8 – Install new return pipe to the steering rack

  • Follow the diagram in Figure 9 to correctly install the return pipe to the steering rack.
  • Make sure the line's position matches position of the line in the Figure.
  • Once the banjo bolt is tightened, position the inlet hose near the power steering pump. More space should be available when starting above the engine. Use the notch in the heat shield while routing the line.
  • mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
    Figure 9. Installing the new return pipe the power steering rack.
  • mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
    Figure 10. The heat shield notch.

Step 9 – Install the new inlet hose to the pump

Slide the hose onto the male end of the pump. You can use a screw type clamp, if that is your preference.

mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 11. Installing the inlet hose to the pump.

Step 10 – Install the power steering reservoir

  • Install clamps onto your inlet and outlet lines, then slide them onto your reservoir. The inlet hose mounts closest to the engine.
  • Route the coolant overflow tank hose through the reservoir bracket (refer to Figure 4) and re-install the reservoir into the bracket and onto the firewall.
mini cooper r50 r53 power steering leak hose pump line remove replace change how to DIY
Figure 12. Re-installing the power steering fluid reservoir.

Step 11 – Bleed air from the power steering

  • Fill the reservoir to the full mark with your Pentosin CHS-11S.
  • With the reservoir cap off and the wheels still in the air, turn the wheel lock-to-lock five or six times at a moderate speed.
  • Remember to re-install your power steering fan.
  • Install the cap and repeat the process with the engine running. It is ideal to hold the wheel against the stops for one to two seconds with light pressure after each wheel rotation. If the pump begins to "shriek" or "wine," that's an indication of air in the system or low fluid level.

Related Discussions