JSpec 4WS bits wanted

[cookster]

1993 2.0 JSpec

Power steering fluid being lost at alarming rate from close to the rear steering assembly. Garage tried a "fix" to no avail. Need replacement pipe / s. Looks like its the length from beneath the drivers seat right back to the rear steer connection. Any ideas where I might get them, or is an alternative fix poss?

Any assistance much appreciated.

[Ian F Chequer]

Cookster,

Is the fluid actually coming from a split pipe, or from the rack itself?

If it's just the pipe I think it's a standard size and it costs about £3 a metre.

I had a issue with the ATX transfer pipes rotting out and just removed them and replaced with 7.9 mm id hydraulic line.

ifc

[TrIcK^]

I have a 4ws unit if its that.

[cookster]

Definitely leaking from the pipe - where the "garage" cut out the original bit (rusted) and replaced with a bit of plastic hose . Have fallen out with garage as this was the same place that failed to diagnose the dizzy problem even after 3 weeks with the car . Took it to another "garage" in Greenock where they got their pipe specialist to look at it and then declined the job! Third garage rang up Mazda and are asking £220+ VAT + 2 hrs labour for new pipe sections!

Have just invested in axle stands and jack, but the sun was shining yesterday so I went to the beach instead! What are the chances of a fix or are new pipes the only answer?

Noted that Trick^ has a whole system, but hoping I don't need to go that far.

Cheers

[Ian F Chequer]

It might be possible to cut back the pipe, and then use a longer length of hose to make up the difference.

From what I've seen the pipes run in a channel in the floorpan. A better solution might be to remove the entire section and get the second garage to make a replacement pipe for you.

Any ideas how big the pipe is?

ifc

[cookster]

Have got the car up and exposed garage no1 vandalism! raggedy cut / ripped pipe ends and a bit of rigid reinforced hose, not flexible enough for the cable clips to squeeze down onto the pipe. Pipes are about 5-7mm diameter metal, circular x section apart from on the bend where they are flattened.

Tried to disassemble connection to the last section joining on to the rear steering rack (this seems to be quite flexible - hidden behind a thicker rubber sleeve), but the joint was absolutely solid, couldn't move it at all even with my longest spanner + mole wrench on either nut.

Will have to try a fix on the car - first attempt looks like a failure due to a faulty cable clip only failing once I had re-assembled the whole lot and added some grabs like nails for good measure. Got dark then so I will have to get some new clips and do it again tomorrow or whenever.

"upstream" end of the pipe goes right up to about the drivers seat area, didn't try and remove that at this stage - I am worried if I can't shift the "downstream" connector I'll never be able to fit replacement pipes - mazda sourced or otherwise.

Finally, noticed the fluid coming out of the pipes while I was messing with them was a completely different colour to the stuff I have been pouring in at the engine end - not sure how that could be happening.

Any further advice / comments appreciated.

[Einstein]

A hydraulic company should be able to fabricate something to repair that for you... usually truck/wagon related, but will still help.


John