Finally getting around to replacing the flexible power steering hose that is on the driver's side of the power steering pump on a '97 trooper (auto). Not much clearance between the battery shelf and a mount for a cooling hose. I'm assuming that I'm supposed to turn the hose counter-clockwise, but I can't get it to budge. Is it a matter of force or is there a trick to this? Also, am I going to have to remove things like the radiator to get enough room to get some leverage? Thanks, Taro

If you are turning the topside of the hose, it's not going
to move. You unscrew the compression nut on the bottom side
to remove the hose.
The hose has a threaded nipple that goes through the bracket.
The bracket has little seats cut in to it that the hex shape
of the hose fitting sits down in to keep it from turning.

Undo the hardline on the bottom of the bracket and
the topside of the hose will pull up and out of the bracket.

Be sure to disconnect the pressure switch that's connected to the hose on the topside right next to the bracket.

Many, many thanks!!! I've let this take up the one space in the garage that we have for a week and my wife has grown impatient. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I finally got everything put back together on Monday morning. Everything seems to be working fine again. I also lubed the driveshafts, replaced the air filter, changed the oil/filter, gear oil in the diffs, and oil in the transfer case. I plan on changing the tranny fluid and filter and replacing the pcv. Anything else I should do for the 150k mile service?

Unfortunately, I think I stripped the fill bolt on the transfer case and on the mounts for the alternator adjustment thingie when I replaced the alternator. I also snapped the lower fan shroud, but it seems to be held in place okay by being clipped to the thin strip that runs on the lower edge of the fan shroud and the upper fan shroud.

In addition, I came to realize that I probably didn't need to rebuild the powersteering pump, if I would have just replaced the hose first. Which reminded me that I probably did not have to replace my water pump if I would have just checked the condition of the radiator drainplug first. Ow, it hurts when I think about what an idiot I am.