Hello, I am pretty new to working on cars but I seem to have an issue with a flange nut. today I attempted to replace my high-pressure power steering line and got to the 14mm flange nut that seems to connect to the steering rack.
it's the very end of the hose. I got a flanged pipe wrench to get the most grip on the nut but I seemed to have stripped it out no matter how many times I try I can't get the nut out from the top. Do I need to cut the line and try a regular socket? or maybe remove the outer tie rod? any suggestions would help. I know the image is blurry but it's the hose on the bottom. I cant get enough room to access it anywhere else than through the engine bay. and that doesn't seem to work as it won't grip.

 

I had to use "crow's feet" attachments on an extension bar to get my high-pressure hose off, see if that gets you any better. If it continues to strip you may have to cut it but that'd be a last resort.

 

I ended up having to cut the line. all went well line is replaced. I do have one more question though. When the power steering was leaking it got all over the exhaust manifold and the exhaust near the catalytic converter. there was a lot of smoke while it was leaking from being on the hot components. Its visible there is no longer any drips or leaks. the power steering fluid level is stable. but there is still quite a lot of smoke. I drove around a bit today after fixing it. and there is still a good amount of smoke from behind the engine. will this eventually burn off? or should I go under and try to scrub the remaining caked-on fluid off the exhaust.

 

It can take a couple days for it to completely smoke off. Even a little bit of oil can smoke a bunch.