Power steering hoses leaking at reservoir

I have a 2000 528i (E39). The power steering hoses are leaking at the reservoir. I replaced the hoses. And the reservoir but the hoses are still leaking. I have gradually been tightening the hose clamps but I am worried that if I tighten them any more that I will break the reservoir. Is there something that I am missing here? Is there suppose to be a seal (washer) or something between the hose and the reservoir?

The reservoir itself may be compromised. The standard fix for leaking power steering hoses is to cut 1/2" of the end of the hose and then reattach the hose with a new hose clamp. If you replaced the hoses already, I would check the reservoir itself.

There are no seals, just a standard fit with a clamp.

When I replaced my hoses last year, I used clamps that are used for fuel injection hoses. I'm still using the original reservoir. The hoses are not leaking at the reservoir.

You might try tightening the clamps. If you still have the old reservoir and hoses, you may want to experiment with those to see how much you can tighten the clamps without breaking the reservoir.

Lots of information can be found by typing /power steering F3 into the bestlinks:

- Power steering fluid (1) (2) & power steering fluid flush DIYs (1) (2) (3) (4) & volumes (1) & how to clean the power steering fluid reservoir internal filter (1) (2) & how to replace the cap o-ring (1) (2) & why you want to fix the power steering hose drip onto the alternator (1) (2) (3) & how to debug PSP power steering pump noises (1) (2) (3) or steering rack noises (1) & a nice power steering pump autopsy photo (1) & how to flush cloudy ATF fluid (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) & what PS fluid to use (1) (2-pdf) (3-volume) & what volume is needed to buy (1) & DIYs to replace the power steering hoses (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) & how to debug common BMW power steering issues (1) and noises (1) (2) (3) or steering rack noises (1)

I realized that mine had a screw clamp on it. The clamp was loose, and the hose could be rotated on the nozzle. I tightened it up. Do you think that I still need to cut off a 1" piece of the hose?

Originally Posted by bluebee

Originally Posted by professorman

Do you think that I still need to cut off a 1" piece of the hose?

I'm not sure 'why' we cut off the end pieces.

Presumably they're damaged, crushed, deformed, etc.

So, if yours isn't, then, i would think, it will be just fine.

However, time will tell ...

What YOU should do, to pay us back, in a sense, is to snap a picture of YOUR repair, and post it, so the next person benefits from your efforts.

Originally Posted by bluebee

What YOU should do, to pay us back, in a sense, is to snap a picture of YOUR repair, and post it, so the next person benefits from your efforts.

True. I will start snapping pictures on repairs that I do. Thanks for the reminder

I did exactly what Bluebee's post shows yesterday, and so far so good.

I have a power steering leak which I need to diagnose as well. I just washed my engine last week so that I can find the exact origin of the leak.

Holy **** i need to do this too. I have a pretty bad leak as well. Good write ups Bluebee!

Originally Posted by Wheat7588

Good write ups Bluebee!

Not me.

Cn90 did all the DIYs and pictures.

I just re-appropriated them.

Cutting a 1/2 inch off the existing hose end will eliminate the deformed ( by time ) end and give you factory fresh fit again . The shortened hose should fit on very tight vs the loose fit of the old fit up. It will last you another 10 years.

I last did this 7 years ago (May 2006), still good no leak.
What happens is as time goes on, the rubber hardens and the sealing effect is less than perfect.

professorman, don't remove 1 inch, all you need is removing 1/2 inch. This way you bring in "fresh" section of the hose for clamping.