Hose - Return

Service all power steering hoses with the vehicle raised on a hoist. Cap all open ends of hoses, power steering pump fittings and steering gear ports to prevent the entry of foreign material into the components.

WARNING: POWER STEERING FLUID, ENGINE PARTS AND EXHAUST SYSTEM MAY BE EXTREMELY HOT IF ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING. DO NOT START ENGINE WITH ANY LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED HOSES. DO NOT ALLOW HOSES TO TOUCH HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYST.

REMOVAL

NOTE: To remove the power steering return hose on this vehicle, the front suspension crossmember and steering gear will need to be lowered away from the body of the vehicle. This is required for access to the power steering hose connections on the side of the steering gear. Refer to Steering Gear, Service and Repair for the required procedure to remove the front suspension crossmember.

1. Siphon all power steering fluid from the power steering fluid reservoir.

CAUTION: Care must be used when removing power steering fluid return hose from power steering fluid reservoir. If excessive force is used when trying to remove hose from nipple on power steering fluid reservoir, nipple can break off of the reservoir.






2. Remove power steering fluid return hose from nipple on power steering fluid reservoir.
3. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact type hoist. See Hoisting in Maintenance for the required lifting procedure to be used for this vehicle.

CAUTION: When lowering the front suspension crossmember its installed position on the vehicle's body must be marked on the crossmember before it is lowered. Review the procedure for the removal and replacement of the steering gear for the required procedure to locate and lower crossmember.

4. Lower the front suspension crossmember far enough to gain access to the high and low pressure ports on the steering gear.






5. Disconnect power steering fluid return hose at power steering cooler line. Drain power steering fluid from hose.

Fig. 13:

6. Remove the 2 routing brackets attaching the power steering return hose to the power steering pressure hose routing brackets.
7. Remove the power steering return hose from the vehicle. The power steering return hose is removed from the bottom of the engine compartment.

INSTALLATION
1. Install power steering return hose on vehicle. Power steering return hose is installed from the bottom of the vehicles engine compartment using the reverse steps of removal.
2. Using a lint free towel, wipe clean all open power steering hose ends, and the power steering gear port.
3. Install a new O-ring on the power steering return hose to steering gear fitting.
4. Lubricate O-ring using fresh clean power steering fluid.
5. Install the power steering return hose, on the cooler lines.

CAUTION: Hoses must remain away from exhaust system, vehicle components and unfriendly surfaces causing possible damage to power steering hoses.

6. Correctly route power steering return hose up to the power steering fluid reservoir, avoiding tight bends or kinking of the hose.
7. Install the 2 routing brackets attaching the power steering return hose to the power steering pressure hose routing brackets.

CAUTION: When installing the front suspension crossmember, it must be installed back in the same location on the vehicle's body as when it was originally installed when the vehicle was built. Review the procedure for installing the steering gear for the required procedure to install and locate crossmember.

8. Raise the front suspension crossmember and steering gear back up into the vehicle.
9. Lower the vehicle.

CAUTION: Care must be used when installing power steering fluid return hose on power steering fluid reservoir. If excessive force is used when trying to install hose on nipple of power steering fluid reservoir, nipple can be broken off the reservoir.

10. Install power steering return hose on power steering fluid reservoir fitting. Install hose clamp on power steering return hose at power steering fluid reservoir. Be sure hose clamp is installed on return hose past upset bead on power steering fluid reservoir.
11. Start the engine and let run for a few seconds. Then turn the engine off.
12. Add fluid if necessary. Repeat the above procedure until the fluid level remains constant after running the engine.
13. Raise front wheels of vehicle off the ground.
14. Start the engine. Slowly turn the steering wheel right and left, lightly contacting the wheel stops. Then turn the engine off.
15. Add power steering fluid if necessary.
16. Lower the vehicle and turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock.
17. Stop the engine. Check the fluid level and refill as required.
18. If the fluid is extremely foamy, allow the vehicle to stand a few minutes and repeat the above procedure.
19. After hose is installed, check for leaks at all hose connections.