Can I fix a leak in a power steering fluid line with JB-Weld?

Tiny
JPMADIGAN1
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 90,000 MILES
A short piece of rubber hose, and hose clamps? I awoke one morning to find my steering wheel was very difficult to turn. I checked the power steering reservoir and, sure enough, it was empty. I refilled it and my steering problems went away. Within an hour, they had returned again. I looked underneath the car and saw a steady drip of fluid. I got underneath the car and found a single metal tube with a rubber covering, all covered with liquid. Nothing else around it was really wet, so I assume I had found the leak. The tube looks like it's in relatively good condition, except for a one-inch section which is slightly corroded. Wiping it clean, I notice there is a single spot where liquid wells up - just like a small cut.

I plan on fixing this myself with some thin aluminum sheeting, JB-Weld, a section of rubber hose, and couple of hose clamps. I want to fix a small strip of aluminum over the leak with JB-weld and then clamp over that with a short section of rubber hose and a crap-load of hose clamps.

My question is this: Have I missed something? I often try repairs like this myself and overlook some important detail, leaving me up a creek without a paddle. Also, is there anything I can do to prevent this kind of line corrosion in the future?

Thanks much! You have no idea how much your advice means to an amateur mechanic like me!
Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 AT 2:22 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If the line is the pressurised line, this is not going to work. Tampering with this line can and would result in vibrating/groaning noises when steering is being turned as the hose is calibrated for a specific volume flow.

If it is the return hose, patching up is no going to last as the complete pipe should already be in bad condition. There are copper pipes available and you can try this alternative.

However from your decription, I believe that is the pressurised hose so quite likely you need a new hose. This hose tends to give way after a certain period, if the pipe do not rust, the rubberised section would often fail due to fatigue.
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Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 AT 6:11 AM
Tiny
GIGAWATTS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 HYUNDAI SONATA
Steering problem
2003 Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl Automatic 65,000 miles

I must start by saying that I currently live in the Bahamas and it adds a level of complexity to auto maintenance/repair. I discovered that my Sonata was leaking power steering fluid and brought it into a shop to find the source of the leak and correct the problem. It's clearly the hose coming out of the steering fluid reservoir, but they didn't have the replacement part and nowhere else I've tried on this island does either. Is it possible I can repair it temporarily with some duct tape or is that just ridiculous? I can see right where the hose is cracked. Also, since I've been driving it like this for a while, I've gone through a lot of steering fluid. Is it bad for the steering pump to just drive without any fluid (aside from being a safety problem with my decreased maneuverability)? Thanks.
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Sunday, March 10th, 2019 AT 10:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

What you can do for a temp repair is get a length of heater hose and split it and cover the leak, using 2 or 3 hose clamps to hold it in place, sort of like a big band aid for a car. Lol this may slow the leak till you can order the part. And yes you will damage the steering if it is run dry of oil.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, March 10th, 2019 AT 10:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SPARKSAFLYING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,000 MILES
I assume if I can not see a leak in the hose nor can I determine it is coming from the pump, I think not as it works perfectly when first refilled that I have some other spot that it could be leaking from. Got suggestions?
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Sunday, March 10th, 2019 AT 10:42 AM (Merged)
Tiny
AIRSOFTSOLDRECN9
  • MEMBER
  • 348 POSTS
The hydraulic ram/actuator for the steering. It should be connected to the steering knuckles.
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Sunday, March 10th, 2019 AT 10:42 AM (Merged)

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