My power steering reservoir is dropping from the max level to the min level about every 2 hours of driving. There is oil on the PS pump, but I just replaced the front cam seal which had been leaking for some time, so the oil might be from that leak. The high pressure line and return line have oil on them mostly where they pass under the oil pan. There is no evidence of oil where the hoses attach to the reservoir and or where they attach to the rack. ZF rack, no leaks on rack itself. The high pressure hose look very rusty and fragile for a foot or so before it goes into the rack - so much so that I was afraid to touch it much. Even with the engine running I can't see the source of the leak. Return hose looks rough, so I thought I'd replace this as a start.

Is the high pressure line a common failure in rust belt cars? This is an expensive part I'd like to avoid buying.

Can I use common 3/8" rubber hosing for the low pressure line or do I have to use a formed one.

Thanks,

Ron
87 745, 280 000 km
near Brantford ON, CAN