Loose ps line??, near oil filter

[Thomas C Potter]

I changed my oil for first time and noticed the approx 1/4" steel line going into rack (from the cooler) is looser than I'd expect.

Are they all like this??

Are there any good oil filter relocation kits on market??

TP

[Zack]

I have the same leakage in that area. I couldnt pinpoint the leak though. Im gonna have the dealer check it out. If you are referring to the fitting that 'twists' in the PS pump, its supposed to do that. I think the leak is coming from the rack and pinion. I'll find out early next week.

[Thomas C Potter]

I have no leak, yet!!, just the kinda wobbly steel line. Anyone else??

[joflewbyu2]

noticed that too when i changed my oil last time. no leak yet. believe it is suppose to twist loosely like that. when i got my car 6 + months ago, my ps fluid was just barely above the add line. i filled it to the top of the full line 6 months ago and as of today - it is still there (full).

[RF Overlord]

Mine's loose like that, too...and no leaks...

[RedMerc04]

I know that this post is 3 years old, but I have a leak coming from this exact area... Im pretty sure that it is oil that is leaking but I am not 100% sure because alot of dirt gets caught up in whatever the fluid is. I had it back at the dealer for service and they "tightened and secured clamps" but it is still leaking. Is there any fix for this that I can do in my driveway. It is hard to tell exactly where the leak is coming from because I have limited vision lying on my back. It is not leaking at an alarming rate but it really just bothers me. I want to do something about it really soon because I only have 300 miles left on my warranty.
Thanks In advance,
Matt

[Zack]

Take it in, tell them it is leaking and you want it fixed.

[fastblackmerc]

I believe the line is supposed to be loose in the fitting to allow movement of the various assemblies. There is one or two O rings that actually make the seal.

[KillJoy]

Take that sucker in and make 'em fix it! If they can't do it before the Warranty expires..... you still have a leg to stand on due to documented problems.

That happened w/ a Dakota I once owned.

KillJoy

[1madmarauder]

mine wobbles too. had car in for a window regulator and crawled under a grand marquis on the lot, and it had a wobbler too! i think were all okay with the wobble line!!!!!!!!!

[Wires]

I had the same question - Scott Levine of Team Ford in Marietta set me straight - that fitting is supposed to "wobble" like that.

[1madmarauder]

you sure your leak isnt just oil that spilled from taking off the oil filter at oil change time?

[David Morton]

The looseness in the line is by design. All Ford product power steering pressure lines have this ability so the movement of the engine relative to the frame (where the p/s gearbox or rack is attached doesn't put stress on the line. It has been like this since the 80's and it works quite well IMO. A nice improvement over the old style like GM and Chrysler had then. They were always fixing P/S pressure lines. There is actually only one o-ring doing the sealing and one nylon washer that holds the pipe in the rack fitting so the movement doesn't wear out the o-ring, a nice design.

Sooner or later things leak though and it's never a good idea to let a leak go unrepaired, the oil is meant to be on the inside of the machinery. There's a lot of things, like mount rubber and hoses that just a little oil will deteriorate rapidly.

[BigCars4Ever]

Are there any good oil filter relocation kits on market??

TP

I can say this for sure. Don't buy a cheap kit from JC Whitney. The supplied barbed fittings with clamps will not hold up to the oil pressure of this motor. $100 worth of stainless #8 lines and fittings later my leaks stopped.