hi guys, this is my 1st post here, and believe me it wont be my last. i just picked up a 97 lumina, im liking it, i just replaced my lower ball joints, rear control arm, did my muffler, now im trying to tackle my pressureized power steering line. is there any tips at getting the end at the steering box? also, overall how do you guys find these cars. i dont know which model it is, i have power windows/locks, not seats or what not tho. what should i be looking at for mpg, and such. any future knowings would be great, thanks guys!!


Colin.

 

That line is a real bugger to get at. pretty sure you can get it form the top. If you undo the motor mounts, pull the motor forward, and slip the bolt into the hole part way up the mount it will give you more room to work in the back.
Its been a while since i have done one of these but i thikn you can get it with a stubby 18mm wrench, or a crows foot with a long extension.
Good luck

 

hhhmmm, so no dice on getting at it from the bottom with a crow's foot? i was just contemplating that. but undoing those mounts hey. im new with the 3100's so bare with methose mounts would just be the two on the front of the engine? what will happen once those are taken out..i have the car on ramps thinking i can get at it from the bottom.

 

If you take them off the motor will just sit there. They offer leteral support for the engine when under load. Remove both bolts from the motor side of the mounts. then with a pry bar, pull the motor to the forn tof the car, untill you can insert the bolt back into the bracket on the car, and through the little hole just below the rubber on the mount itself.

You may be able to get it from the bottom, but from what i remember, i got it from the top

 

hhmmm, i see where your getting at. ill give that a shot tonight or tomorrow and see what i can come up with. any other tips please feel free to post themthanks.



Colin

 

i took those front bones off yesterday, i now notice what you mean. the end of the PS line is an 18mm, but, i can't find anywhere that has an 18mm crow's foot.

 

Snap-On,Matco,Mac....those guys will have it for sure.....try going to your local jobber, they usually have a bunch of tools in stock. They are not as good as the snap-on, but will be cheaper and will probably do the trick

 

an 18mm crows foot is 22$ here, and thats no mac, or snap-on. i just squeezed an air grinder in there, cut the line close to the bolt, im going to get a socket/swivel/extentions and ill beable to break her off. when i put it back on, i wont have much tools to use, so ill tighten it as much as i can, and add a dap of loc tite on there

 

ok, i did the line, and im going to give my 2 cents on this one.

dont jack the car up or anything, leave it sitting level.
remove those front bones (engine mounts sp?)
i used a ratchet puller to pull the engine as far forward as i can
remove the alternator
undo the bolt holding the tranny dipstick in place
use 3ft of extension with a crows foot
crack loose and repeat for installation but opposite


my problem came when i couldn't find the proper sized crow foot (18mm to be exact) so i improvised.
i took an air grinder and grinded the line off just before the bolt that screws into the knuckle.
once i did that i put the 18mm socket on a swivel, with about 3ft of extension, i cracked it and it came out nicely. to tighten i just cut an 18mm wrench, put a dap of light loc tite on there, and reefed her on as hard as i can go. i put everything back on, fired her up, no leaks, runs good.

 

Good to know you got 'er done. Good idea with cutting the wrench.