If you have ever driven an old car from the 70s, you’ll notice that you have to put much more force into turning the steering wheel. Power steering in modern cars makes steering much easier.
Your car’s power steering system relies on the power steering hoses bringing fluid to the steering assembly. Like all car parts, your power steering hoses will wear down and need to be replaced.
On average, it will cost about $500 to have a professional replace your power steering hoses. The typical price range is between $300 on the low end up to $800 on the higher end.
On the other hand, you can purchase a set of hoses for about $50 online and replace them yourself.
There are several things to keep in mind when repairing your power steering hoses. So we put together this guide on the cost to replace your power steering hoses.
We will cover the costs for professional installation as well as the costs to buy the parts and replace them yourself.
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What Is a Power Steering Hose?
Your car’s steering system consists of a series of gears and pinions meant to transform rotational motion into linear motion. Power steering systems augment the physical effort of turning the steering wheel so it’s easier to turn the wheels of the car.
The power steering hose carries power steering fluid to the steering rack. Without this fluid, your car will be much more difficult to drive and you may not be able to even turn the wheel.
Most cars have two power steering hoses, one for low-pressure fluid and the other for high-pressure fluids.
The high-pressure tube carries fluid from the pump to the steering assembly while the low-pressure tube carries the fluid back to the pump from the steering assembly.
The interplay of these two hoses keeps pressure levels constant Power steering hoses can experience temperatures of up to 300-degrees F and operating pressures up to 1,500 psi.
Generally, power steering hoses are made from durable oil-resistant synthetic materials such as polyester, steel braids, and Teflon to prevent friction.
You want your hoses to be oil-resistant because they make contact with other components of your car’s engine and transmission systems.
How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Power Steering Hose?
On average, it costs about $500 on average to replace a power steering hose. The typical price range is between $300 on the low end to over $800 on the high end.
In some cases, you may be able to get away with paying less than $300 to replace a power steering hose. Below is a table showing the average replacement cost for power steering hoses for various popular models of cars.
Keep in mind that these prices are averages and subject to change based on the age of your car and your mechanic’s location.
| Make/Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Honda Civic | $380 |
| Honda CRV | $550 |
| Toyota Camry | $750 |
| Toyota Corolla | $800 |
| Chevy Silverado | $350 |
| Ford F-150 | $400 |
| Ford Fusion | $380 |
| Ford Mustang | $300 |
| Nissan Altima | $500 |
| BMW 3 Series | $670 |
| Audi A4 | $780 |
Power Steering Hose Parts
If you do not want to pay for a professional, you can buy the parts and replace them yourself. You can expect to pay about $50 on average to buy a power steering hose assembly.
Typically, assemblies come with both the send and return hose, but you can buy individual hoses on their own if you don’t want to replace both.
Below is a table showing average costs for power steering hose parts. These costs are averages and may differ in reality.
| Product | Parts |
|---|---|
| WMPHE Power Steering Pressure Hose | $35 |
| Sunsong 3402371 | $30 |
| Edelmann 80453 Power Steering Pressure Line Hose Assembly | $45 |
| OCPTY Power Steering Pressure Hose Assembly for Honda | $40 |
| Gates 352790 Power Steering Pressure Line Hose | $25 |
| Dorman 979-108 Power Steering Return Hose | $36 |
| Edelman 81449 Power Steering Return Line Hose Assembly | $35 |
| SCITOO Power Steering Pressure Line Hose | $50 |
| Sunsong 3402813 Power Steering Pressure Line Hose Assembly | $75 |
| Gates 361970 Power Steering Bulk Return Line Hose | $15 |
| Genuine Nissan 49717-7B410 Power Steering Suction Hose Assembly | $40 |
Most power steering hoses are designed to work with a specific model of car, but there are some that are designed to be universally compatible.
If you buy a universal power steering hose, you may have to alter the length or modify the end to fit it into your system. Universal models may not work as well as models for specific brands, so we recommend not buying universal models.
Factors that Affect the Cost of a Replacing a Power Steering Hose
Materials
Lower-end power steering hoses use a durable rubber or polyester material, normally with textile outer layers.
More expensive hoses use steel mesh and ceramic connector pieces. The type of materials you choose will affect the costs of the hose.
Type of hose
Cars have two power steering hoses: a high-pressure hose and a low-pressure hose. The high-pressure hose is thinner and incorporates materials meant to withstand high pressure.
Generally speaking, low-pressure return hoses are cheaper but you can buy kits that have assemblies that have both hoses.
Make/model of your car
Your car’s make and model will also affect costs. For example, luxury and high-performance brands such as BMW or Audi will likely be more expensive to repair than economy-brand cars like Toyota or Honda.
Related repairs
It’s usually a good idea to service all of your power steering components at the same time. So you may also need to replace your power steering pump and change your fluid.
Signs of a Bad Power Steering Hose
Here are the most common signs of a bad power steering hose.
Difficulty Steering
The most obvious sign of a broken power steering hose is if you have difficulty steering. When the hose is broken and cannot provide fluid to the steering assembly, the parts can lock up and will be much harder to operate.
If your steering wheel feels stuck or it takes a great amount of effort to turn it, then the problem is likely a broken power steering hose or pump.
Leaking Fluid
Another common sign of a bad power steering hose is leaking pow4eer steering fluid. Power steering fluid will leak from your steering assembly and pool on the ground under your car.
The fluid usually has a reddish-brown color and has a consistency similar to engine oil. In some cases, power steering fluid will leak onto the engine and burn,m creating a marshmallow-like scent in the air.
Low Fluid Levels
Sometimes, fluid will leak without leaving visible puddles, which can make steering more difficult. You can take your car in to check the fluid levels. If they are low, then it could be due to a cracked power steering hose.
Whining Noise
The power steering system uses high-pressure fluid to make steering easier and lubricate tube gears.
If your fluid is low due to a broken hose, then you may notice a loud grinding or scraping sound when turning your wheel. The noise may appear when doing small turns or may only appear when making wide turns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repair a power steering hose?
Overall, you can expect to pay about $500 to replace a power steering hose assembly. The assembly includes the high-pressure and low-pressure return hose.
The typical price range is between $300 to $800. Alternatively, you can buy a power steering fluid hose online for around $50 and replace it yourself if you have the tools.
How often should I replace my power steering hoses?
Assuming you get regular maintenance and operate your car normally, you may never have to replace your power steering lines.
Power steering lines are designed to last the entire lifespan of your car. That being said, you may want to start checking your steering lines after about 75,000 miles.
If you do need to replace your power steering lines, we recommend replacing both of the hoses at the same time.
Can I drive with a bad power steering hose?
Yes, you can drive with a bad power steering hose but it is not recommended. When your power steering fluid is low, you will have difficulty steering your car.
Driving with low fluid can also damage your steering components such as the rack and pinion gears. We recommend getting a broken power steering hose replaced as quickly as possible.
How long does it take to replace a power steering hose?
Power steering hoses are relatively simple to replace. If you get a professional to do the job, then it will take about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the damage to your hoses and the make/model of your car.
Can I replace a power steering hose on my own?
Yes, most people will be able to replace a power steering hose on their own without expert knowledge.
The only tools you will need are an adjustable hex wrench and a drain pan to catch any falling power steering fluid. Make sure to consult your car’s repair manual before removing anything.
Final Words
Power steering hoses are an integral part of power steering systems. So if your lines are broken, we recommend getting them replaced as soon as possible. Broken lines can make it harder to steer your car, which poses a significant safety risk.
