aidian93

Hey guys! I recently have been having an issue with the power steering in my 99 TL. I did some searching around the forums but wasn't exactly sure of how to go about fixing my issue so I figured I would make a thread.

Ok so I started realizing turning my steering wheel was getting a bit difficult so I checked under the hood right away and noticed power steering fluid was leaking right from the cap of the reservoir. I went out and got more fluid to fill it up and once I did it emptied out by the end of the day. Yesterday I had someone check it out for me to see if they could tell what was wrong, and he told me I need a new power steering pump. Now before he told me that I also realized the bottom hose connected to the reservoir was slightly detached so I fixed that easily. My car has been making a strange noise also since the problem started, but yesterday about an hour after I fixed the hose that was disconnected slightly I realized that the noise has basically died down to nothing (it happens slightly and then goes away at startup).

Could my problem just have been that hose that came loose? Or should I go out and buy a new pump? I am not quite sure why the fluid would leak out of the top of the reservoir, but as far as I can see that is the only place it is leaking.

jra8858

If air got into the system you could try bleeding the power steering system. Noise probaly was the bearings in the pump due to low fluid levels. Does your power steering feel normal after fixing the leaking hose, and topping off fluid?

aidian93

When I top off the fluid it feels fine for a few miles then starts to get rough again and once I look the reservoir is near empty and has leaked from the top.

jra8858

I would bleed the system first, and then if the problem persists replace pump. Your leaky hose may have caused the pump to burn out due to low fluid level.

aidian93

Thanks I'll try that out tomorrow and report back what happens.

aidian93

Just finished trying to flush out the system and realized there's a leak in the return line. So now the issue is trying to find a spare return line to fix the issue, anyone know where I can find one of those?

3.2TLc

Hey Aidian93, you're probably going to have to buy an "OEM" part from Acura. Try Google once you have a part # for it, see what comes up !

You could try a salvage yard......if you trust a recycled part with all the work involved.

aidian93

When I checked out my car I used this diagram:



Now when I check the Acura website I found a diagram similar to this one but can't tell which part is the actual return line. I called my local Acura dealer and they told me it came in two parts. Help!

This is what I found online:

http://estore.honda.com/acura/parts/...360&dl=251333#

3.2TLc

Hey Aidian93, once you cleaned everything up, you're certain that it's a leaky return hose to the PS reservoir ? Where is the actual leak ? Is it the hose itself or a fitting ?

The return hose assembly appears to be a combination of a metal tube piping with clamps to a rubber hose ? Make sure you know what is actually leaking, because if the cap was puking .....it may be hard to determine the source of the leak.

Those parts are not as expensive as the "pressure side" from the pump. Try to follow the line's routing and match it up with a part #. Perhaps, depending on the model year....their may be some differences ?

aidian93

Well After flushing out the system and then refilling it with fluid we realized it was slowly lowering out of the reservoir so after checking and checking we noticed there's a leak right on the return line shown above. I think it may be a crack in the line which is allowing air into the system which is what was then pushing the power steering through the top of the reservoir.

3.2TLc

Ya may wanna try replacing the original spring clamps with a screw style clamp,
which will tighten better and be more secure .