QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2004 Ford Escape 3.0L Duratec V6 4 speed automatic. It's currently at the dealership to have the power steering pump and hose replaced. They're telling me the hose is back ordered until mid october, but I'm not sure that is the case. I'm trying to find out specifically what hose I would need to look for, but they won't tell me a part number. I do know it's the power steering hose that runs from the reserve to the pump. Any idea what 'specific' hose it would be I'm looking for?
ANSWER: Well, here's the problem: I can't find anyone else who makes this hose. The pressure hose is easy to find, but the return hose (which this is) isn't made by any of the suppliers I can find. Of course, the return hose very rarely fails. It usually lasts the life of the car. If it really is bad, then you might want to take it off and go to a local shop that repairs hydraulic hoses. They may be able to make you one, possibly reusing the fitting from the old one. Of course, if they're doing this under warranty then you have to use their parts. But, if you're paying for this whole thing, then I'd get the truck to an independent garage and have them do the job.
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QUESTION: Is the hose a part only the dealer could obtain? I'm not finding ANYONE who makes this hose, period...even searching the motocraft catalog. I can find a power steering return hose-return line assembly; Union to Cooler; but the tech tells me this isn't the correct hose. He seems rather smug about me finding one, which is what made me question the whole repair. That, and the fact they want $800 to do the job! I'd love to take it to an independent garage if I knew of a reputable one in my area. I originally took it to one (when I merely had a crack in the return hose); it wasn't until I went back to retrieve it I noticed he had burn up the pump. (I know I didn't because I NEVER drove it anywhere without putting power steering fluid in it, and it always had some in the reserve when I arrived).
Answer The fact that none of the suppliers I know of make or carry the hose in question makes me believe that Ford is the only source for it. The fact that they are familiar with this problem at the dealer and the hose is not available makes me believe that Ford should cover this under some kind of warranty. Just because your regular warranty is up doesn't mean that you can't force Ford to pay for this repair, or at least part of it. You would have to get a hold of Ford's zone office and write a lot of letters and emails, maybe make some nasty phone calls. You also might want to check to see if there's been a recall on this item; the NHTSA keeps a record of all recalls. And, if you're really desperate, maybe you could find this stuff used and save a lot of money (get the pump and the hose from a wrecked Escape). It wouldn't hurt to call a salvage yard and ask them to see if they could find it for you and how much it would cost.
