I have a 99TL with 232K miles. I have had a small power steering leak for about a year. I just fill the reservoir every month or so it's a few tablespoons of fluid to the high mark. I took the photos in the links below of the power steering speed sensor and repair manual on the subject. It looks difficult to reach as it is installed in the very back of the transmission. I've not noticed any problem with stearing the vehicle, and am interested in whether anyone has replaced one. Alternatively, is this a typical place for fluid to leak from? I checked where the high-pressure power steering line goes into the rack and pinion steering, and it is not leaking there.
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My wifes '03 had this same issue. Whats worse is that if you look under the car, the drips almost look like engine oil (I had mistaken it for engine oil at first and it was a scary thought!)

What fixed hers was replacing the clamp on one of the lines (I think its the one on the right in your first pic). I got the genuine Honda clamp from the dealer...I know it sounds funny, but the clamp is a break-away type clamp that will break the thread block away once you reach the correct torque. Worth the slight extra cost IMHO.

Just out of curiosity, did you ever have the transmission replaced? Ours started to leak shortly after that.

 

I am on my 4th transmission, all replaced by the local Acura dealer under warranty/goodwill replacements except the last one that I paid $4000 for the dealer to replace in Sept. 2013 (original quote was $5200). My car exhibits the same leak as your wife's car. It looks a lot like oil, but is actually slightly discolored power steering fluid, and it drips directly under the power steering speed sensor and power steering gear box area. Maybe I can clean the area off with some carb cleaner and then see where the actual leak is coming from. Although the speed sensor attaches to an internal part of the back of the transmission, the two small hoses attached to the top of the speed sensor actually connect to the power steering gear box, and therefore it uses power steering fluid and not transmission fluid. I will post some more pictures as the leak diagnosis continues. Thx Chris03tl for your input.

 

Yeah, I know how the hoses are routed/connected (after experiencing the leak in our car)

In your first pic you can see the moisture on top of the speed sensor from both hoses, but I think only the right one is leaking (just like on our car....you can see the actual liquid from the hose)

If you can get your hand down there I wouldnt be surprised if you can actually turn the hose back and forth while its connected....the clamp just isnt holding enough anymore.

Since its a breakaway clamp, Im not sure if its possible but its almost like they re-used it after replacing the transmission. They didnt list every single part replaced on our car when they did the tranny so I cant be sure if it was or wasnt reused.

 

Cleaned area with carb cleaner. Photo links below. The clamp that is leaking the most appears to be a double wire type hose clamp (never seen one like that before). I have attached a diagram from an OEM Acura parts website (it is part #36 on the diagram). The other end of that same hose goes into the power steering gearbox, and is also leaking (see photo) - same type of double wire clamp on that side as well. I think I will order the two hoses and 4 hose clamps and replace them all.
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Why don't ya just try a traditional old school hose clamp ?

 

3.2TLc - I thought of that, but wanted to get the thoughts of anyone who has done the repair, especially of any Acura mechanic who might know the exact reason for the OEM clamp specified.

 

I really like fuel injection clamps for stuff like this. They seal better than oe or old school, if 3.2 is referring to a standard worm drive clamp. Go to a parts store that specializes in import parts. 3 common brands are aba, norma, and zebra. The #15 aba is about 16mm i.d., which I think is about right for import ps hoses.

 

Some of the OEM clamps used to secure various hoses are designed to expand and contract with the circumstances involved. Hot~cold~plastic..... IMO, the original clamps also assist to make assembly during the manufacturing process simpler. They don't seem to hold up well if re-used. The hoses and clamps seem to lose their fit after years of use.

If the engineers wanted things like this to last indefinitely, they would use SS braided hoses and design a leakproof fitting. But, they want to sell ya a new car after using it for 10 years and 100k. Any business has to keep it's costs down and keep ya coming back.

 

I bought the genuine Honda clamp when I replaced ours.

When I installed the new one, I noticed that at some point while I was tightening it, it seemed to "break". After much grief, I chalked it up to the fact that it was actually designed to break off, so you could never overtighten it (like you can with a standard worm drive clamp). It explained why the original needed to be pried and twisted off, instead of just loosing....no matter how much I loosened the nut, the clamp never backed off.

My take is Honda intended that clamp to work that way for a reason, I would just go buy the genuine clamp. They werent expensive at all, you just might have to wait a day or two for your dealer to get it.

 

It appears to me overtighten was the cause to the failure.

 

^^I think you're right. I've never seen or read about hose clamps that broke or stripped by design. Even a worm drive clamp will give up if you overdo it. I have seen breakaway fasteners, but they are typically used for security reasons (like ignition switches) or for tamper resistance.