about a month ago I noticed a groaning from under the hood, and within a week I realized I have a slow leak on the low pressure return of the power steering line. Bought it in to my local shop, and we pinpointed the leak to below the clamp going into the rigid line, BUT it looks like the corrosion is at the actual joint. The mechanic did not want to mess with it for fear of just crumbling. We look up the cost of the replacement part, and his face goes white... 650 from the dealer. Yikes. anyone have any slightly less expensive solutions? is there any aftermarket solutions that are less painful?

Low pressure line is exactly that...low pressure. You can replace it with some metal tubing line. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You can also have a hydraulic line/forklift shop rebuild the line if it's crimped together. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm guessing you have a 4WD T-100... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />



You can see that the low pressure hard line isn't crimped. You could actually run the proper rubber hose the entire length from the power steering pump reservoir return inlet to the steering gear outlet and just zip tie it to the existing line.

My 3.4 swap kit came with a new SS braided hose from the pump to the steering box and a standard rubber power steering fluid hose for the return.
You can just run the proper sized rubber line all the way back.

I'm sure ORS would sell you the high pressure hose if you need it. trail-gear.com might also sell them...

Now that sounds like a WAY more economical plan, I can use the old rigid tubing as rails to attach the new lines to! I just emailed them, now hope they contact me back!

i ran into replacing both the high/low pressure lines a few years ago. because of the dealer cost, i had an oldschool autorepair place make new hydraulic lines for about $80. they cut and reused the OEM lines at each end (at least on the high pressure line), brazed on standard fittings, and then used std hydraulic hose to run between the two. if i recall, the end fittings (bango and ?) were reused to keep things simple, quick, and foolproof.
tom

I've had that done before by some hydraulics places, where I cut the ends off my old hose and had them build a new one and crimp the fittings onto it. I've actually still got it in my backyard LOL... i do like the ORS solution much more tho, very clean...

does anyone know if ORS is still in business? the website doesnt list a phone number, and I have not heard back from email.

Mike is in business but does not have a dedicated shop (he does it on the side now).
Give him a few days, / PM him on yotatech (name: ORS), he responds quick there usually.

Greg

Going by the chatter on the web...looks like they are open fer business again. What email address did you send yer request to? I'm sure you could just make up yer own hose setup... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

trail gear has a full kit here...

http://www.trail-gear.com/tacoma-steering

and it is on the way!