power steering hoses are wet

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KJScott

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Seems the PS hoses have become porous and leaking fluid. Any recommendations on hoses? Its the lines to and from the cooler. Any tips are appreciated. Home computer has crashed so phone searching for answers stinks.
 
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02blue

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Interesting, Mine appear to be doing the same. I noticed it last weekend when changing the oil. Not a major leak but definitely wet and not from the end fittings.
 

Billwill

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There is a lot of discussion over what Power Steering Fluid to use in the 2002 KJs....my Service Manual says only use Mopar steering fluid, some owners say they use ATF +4 in their 2002 KJs.

Most sites say the 2002 KJ can use ATF but only if the system has been first drained and flushed....just something to think about before re-filling the system!
 

tjkj2002

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There is a lot of discussion over what Power Steering Fluid to use in the 2002 KJs....my Service Manual says only use Mopar steering fluid, some owners say they use ATF +4 in their 2002 KJs.

Most sites say the 2002 KJ can use ATF but only if the system has been first drained and flushed....just something to think about before re-filling the system!
There is a TSB stating to use ATF+4 in the PS system on '02 KJ's,for refill and top off.
 

02blue

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Most sites say the 2002 KJ can use ATF but only if the system has been first drained and flushed....just something to think about before re-filling the system!

I've been using ATF+4 since I got mine with 80k on it. The fluid was red at that time so although my 02 manual said Mopar PS fluid, I went with the ATF+4 as recommended for other years. Figured the PO either screwed it up or did it right and flushed before swapping. Either way not much I could do at that point.

Guess if it's a new to you 02 you should pay attention to whats in there.


There is a TSB stating to use ATF+4 in the PS system on '02 KJ's,for refill and top off.

Does the TSB allow for mixing then? I thought that was not a good idea.
 

eradicator006

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Seems the PS hoses have become porous and leaking fluid. Any recommendations on hoses? Its the lines to and from the cooler. Any tips are appreciated. Home computer has crashed so phone searching for answers stinks.

Mine is a 2005. I have the same thing on the hose on the driver's side. It's wet in the middle of the hose no where near the fittings. It's been like this since I got the jeep in 2008. My fluid level hasn't changed since the steering rack was replaced in 2009. Even had some extremely cold days this year (-35'C) and it hasn't been a problem.

This summer I'll likely change it out just to be safe. I think it's the original hose.
 

02blue

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It's wet in the middle of the hose no where near the fittings. It's been like this since I got the jeep in 2008. My fluid level hasn't changed...

I thought I just dumped some when flushing, but last time I wiped everything down well and still had the moisture. Definitely ATF+4. I don't see a drop in level so I'll be waiting on this one too.
 

JeepJeepster

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Got mine from rock auto. It was starting to weep so i replaced it. At the exact same time, my power steering pump started whining. Not sure if the two are related, but i used the hoses on rockauto. I even spun the pump by hand before i started it to try and prime it some.
 

02blue

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Got mine from rock auto. It was starting to weep so i replaced it. At the exact same time, my power steering pump started whining. Not sure if the two are related, but i used the hoses on rockauto. I even spun the pump by hand before i started it to try and prime it some.

I see three on Rockauto. I'll go with the Gates when I place what seems like my monthly order. :icon_frown: Most of that is not for my KJ.

Never heard of Edelman and have used Gates hoses and belts many times with no problems. And they are half the price of the ACs. Not the cheapest but in the middle. Thanxs
 

KJScott

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I just ordered my high and low side Gates hoses from RockAuto. Since mine is an '02 I probably won't be be switching to ATF+4 because I doubt I can get every bit of the original fluid out. I will definitely remove as much as I can though. It is nasty stuff. I did the turkey baster method a few months ago and put clear PS fluid approved for Chrysler in and it is like a rust color weeping out from the hose.
 

KJScott

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guess replacing the hoses is going to be even easier now that my radiator plastic side tank developed a crack. Ordered a new one and will be doing the PS hoses while the radiator is out. At least they happened at the same time....
 
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