Power steering hoses, inverted flare vs. O-Ring

[PandaBear]

1995 Toyota Corolla 1.6L with automatic transmission. Build in Jul/Aug 1995.

Found a leak in the power steering pressure hose on the metal crimp, from the pump to the steering rack/column. If you turn the steering in the parking lot when the engine is on, you can see some weeping from the crimp. Fluid was sprayed everywhere under the hood, and would rather replace all the hoses instead of just use a stop leak product (want to keep this car for long term, mom can't drive anything but a corolla as it is easier to drive).


Now there are 2 types of hoses according to Rockauto and Gates. One is with Inverted flare fitting, the other with O-Ring. AC Delco (more trust worthy as GM also makes the Prizm) has only the O-Ring fitting one.


So can I assume that it is the O-Ring fitting?

 

[Steve S]

Stop leak will not stop the leak on the hose . You should remove the hose and see what kind of fitting is on the leaking hose and that is what needs to be used.

 

[PandaBear]

How does a "flared" or an "O-ringed" fitting look like?

 

[Kestas]

Metal crimps can be repaired at pretty much any shop that repairs hydraulic hose. They'll reuse the ends and give you new hose and ferrules (crimps) for about $70 each hose. Check your Yellow Pages.

 

[mechtech2]

I can't see how the 2 different sealing systems would work in the same hole.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Metal crimps can be repaired at pretty much any shop that repairs hydraulic hose. They'll reuse the ends and give you new hose and ferrules (crimps) for about $70 each hose. Check your Yellow Pages.


A new hose is only about $30-40, why should I repair it with I can get a new hose from a reputable brand?

 

[Chris142]

It looks like you have 2 possibilities and they are not interchangable.

You need to pull the hose off and see if it uses rubber O-Rings to seal or a metal to metal flair fitting.

 

[paulo57509]

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
How does a "flared" or an "O-ringed" fitting look like?


This is a PS adapter. One end is the o-ring and the other end is an AN flare. The o-ring end is typical GM.

 

[artificialist]

I have dealt with these cars before.

The right thing to do is to buy both types of hoses and save your receipt, then return the hose that doesn't match.

That method applies to more than just P/S hoses. Any car with multiple variants of one part will cause this kind of headache.

 

[PandaBear]

Guys, sorry to bring back an old thread.


By mistake I took off the Banjo side of the hose and checked for the fitting, and ordered an inverted flare hose.

Then when I got the hose this week and pulled off the other side (the steering column) and check the fitting, the bolt to the metal tube looks like the AN flare of the photo above, but the tube doesn't look the same. Instead of an expanded opening at the end like a trumpet, it has a bump along the outside of the metal pipe, kind of like someone welded a little ring on it.

The interesting thing is, it doesn't have an o-ring (I searched), but the bolt that goes into the steering column looks the same.


Are they compatible (bump on a pipe vs. the trumpet looking opening)?

 

[labman]

Sounds like a bubble flare. Common on metric brake lines except the Japanese. And of course not, life would be too simple if any 2 things used the same connector.

 

[oilboy123]

Picture would help.....

 

[PandaBear]

 

[PandaBear]

I just bought the other hose from Kragen's store brand (Power Craft), and realized it is the exact same manufacture as Gates, made in Mexico and all the same part numbers on the tubing as well as the same coding scheme, for a cheaper price than buying from Rockauto even before shipping. I should have checked locally first from now on.

Anyways, the connector looks just like the O-ring type connector. So the question now is.... where was the original o-ring? I don't think this has been disconnected in the past, could it be sucked into the steering column? or the auto worker never installed it? or melted into the ATF after 14 years of usage?

 

[paulo57509]

That's definitely an o-ring type fitting. You're right....where did the old o-ring go?

 

[Kestas]

Did you check for an o-ring where the fitting goes into?

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Did you check for an o-ring where the fitting goes into?


Yes, for an entire hour, with both a screw driver and a nail. it is too much down under that I cannot see it with my eye.

Seems like there are now 2 possibilities:

1) It was sucked into the column. There is nothing I can do but keeps driving it until the car falls apart.

2) It fell off and I couldn't find it, so no harm done as long as I put the new O-ring on.

3) It is still there, and I better check for it, or else double gasket will make sure it leaks.