PS fluid hose material

[Kestas]

I replaced the somewhat hard and brittle ps return line on my 32 year old car. The counterperson gave me a hose labeled "coolant overflow hose". It was reinforced hose and looked every bit as good as the other hose he pulled which cost 10X as much ($12 versus $1.20 for a 10" length of hose). Does hose for ps fluid require a special compound?

 

[JohnBrowning]

Yes, Some application use a very high grade of hydralic line! The problem is not pressure it is chemical resistance. If the line is aproved for hydralic applications it should be fine.

 

[metroplex]

It depends on your PS fluid.

My PS fluid is ATF so I just use ATF hoses for tranny coolers.

 

[Pablo]

You need oil resistant hose. Methinks what you have may start "sweating" oil in a little while.

 

[metroplex]

Coolant overflow hose can very well be windshield washer fluid hose or standard vacuum hose. You want something oil and heat resistant.

I'm using ATF hose for my PS fluid and it doesn't sweat at all (i've had it on for 4 years now and not once did I baby this car) and its bone dry.

My coolant hoses, OTOH, are starting to sweat in some places. And no, it's not puberty.

 

[QuadDriver]

ATF cooler lines are under 'higher' pressure than say a carb fuel line, but the PS pump can and will push over 1500psi - you MUST use single or double braid hydraulic line....and not stainless (contrary to popular belief, SS braided lines are FAR weaker than a single braid neoprene line)

 

[jsharp]

quote:

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Originally posted by QuadDriver:
ATF cooler lines are under 'higher' pressure than say a carb fuel line, but the PS pump can and will push over 1500psi - you MUST use single or double braid hydraulic line....and not stainless (contrary to popular belief, SS braided lines are FAR weaker than a single braid neoprene line)

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I think he's talking about the return line which is under almost no pressure...

 

[Ken2]

Hose is made of three parts...
--Inner tube. This will be material suitable for the fluid. The material for power steering will be suitable for petroleum.

--Braid. This is for strength, and may be steel or fabric.

--Outer cover, for protection, maybe a rubber compound, maybe rubber with a braided fabric or metal cover for more protection or just good looks from those who don't know better.

Quad,
Maybe you're referring to those hoses sold for cosmetic purposes, but I can find many stainless braided hydraulic hoses with much higher pressure ratings than a rubber or neoprene hose with a single fabric reinforcing braid.


Ken

 

[metroplex]

Case in point: braided brake hoses. My Russell SS braided brake hoses give me much better control over the brakes on my T-bird. They do not swell like the factoryrubber/fabric braided hoses (which were cracked and slowly leaking btw - it was time for replacements and why get ordinary replacements when I can upgrade!!!!)