Rusted Line/Compression Nut - Hose to Steering Rack

[jzack]

I'm needing to replace the Toyota original high pressure power steering hose (only got 145k miles out of it! - LOL) on my kid's '98 Corolla. Looked to be a pretty easy job until it came time to get the compression nut undone from the rack fitting. Both the hose metal line and the nut are well rusted together. Tried PB Baster, etc all the things I normally do with rusty bolts. The nut location also makes it difficult to get a open ended wrench on the nut with any great leverage.

I'm thinking it makes sense to use a Dremel cutoff wheel and cut the metal steering line real close to the nut. That would allow me to use a regular socket and a big breaker bar to get the nut loose. Only concern might be cracking the rack housing -- doesn't look to be too thick there?

Any other advice???

Thx.

[zythr]

Good luck. I recall reading that line was a PIA to change out.

[Buurin]

Try to find a crowfoot wrench of the right size. They look the head of an open end wrench but with a hole accepting ratchets/breaker bar/whathaveyou. Because you can hook it up just like any other socket, you can even properly torque it after you put everything together.

[jzack]

Thx -- I've used crow-foot extensions before. Issue here is getting the nut to turn while rusted to the line. If I cut the line -- nut will just need to turn in the rack fitting and not also spin on the hose line. So even a regular socket will fit over it.

I've decided to wait a bit longer until the hose leaks gets worse (it's really not very bad) to the point where this has to be done. Figured the car is still usable w/out a need to spend more $$$ prematurely in the event I mess up the rack too.