4WS/power steering problems!! parts?!

[DougPorcaro]

Hello, my friend just purchased 924/2000 with 170k miles for $2000. the first thing we noticed obviously was there was no power steering. i checked the PS fluid reservoir and it was bone dry, so first off i figured there had to be a some were along the lines of this huge system. now I'm new to 4ws and never even seen one up close until now. so i started up the car and put about .8 quarts in there and the pump was pumping it fine but still did not seem to do much. while all this was going on i frequently checked underneath to see it it was leaking, but i never saw a certain leak. my cousin owns a Mitsubishi dealership so the next day i had them take a look at it. and it turns out all the fluid i put in there leaked out again in many different places. he said it was leaking from 6 different visible spots along the course or 3 hydraulic lines. so the quote on the lines was $124 for the largest one and $30 for the two smaller ones. but he called it in and obviously found out that they don't make them any more. he also said even if i did replace them he wouldn't grantee the they would start leaking from other places. he suggested a hydraulic line specialist he new and could custom make some hydraulic lines....but i figured that as one of my last resorts. so finally my question to you all is, is there anyplace where i can find these certain lines? i figured its probably just the fittings that are the differences between these and regular lines. any other comments/suggestions you have for me? i am open to all because i am new with this system and want to learn more about it.

 

[quasimondo]

It's not worth learning. If you take a close look at the system, it's just a bar that pushes against the trailing arm bushings to 'steer' the wheels. Parts are unavailable, the system constantly leaks, and your best bet is to eliminate the system altogether.

There are a number of threads in the how-to archive that show you how to disable this system.

 

[DougPorcaro]

thank man ill keep that in mind

 

[DougPorcaro]

*thanks

 

The parts are available to replace the 4WS steering lines. I just got done replacing all of my lines from the front rack to the rear rack. Let me know if you need the part #s. They weren't too tough to replace except for the ones that go over the pumpkin to the rear rack. Pricey though...

 

[b00st33d]

how much did you spent with all the lines, Bishop?

 

Let see...

Rear Lines

Part # List Net
MB489776 $15.45 $12.36 from hose to rear end
MB815085 $87.93 $70.34 long line connect front rack to above
MB815325 $130.08 $104.06 2nd long line connecting front rack
to other line

Front Lines

Part # List Net
MB564865 $39.92 $31.94 far driver's side line
MB564864 $39.92 $31.94 long line, runs beneath the rack
MB564866 $42.07 $33.66 driver side of skid plate
MB564867 $39.92 $31.94 passenger side of skid plate

So, in total, I paid $316.24 plus cryogencially treating the lines without the high pressure hoses.

I consider it money well spent to preserve the character of the car. Good luck with your situation.

 

[b00st33d]

did you buy these part online or your local dealership?

 

I got them through my local Mitsubishi dealer. I buy so many parts from them that they give me the net price, but any dealer should. We have Mitsubishis after all. We'll be back...