What is the plastic plug that comes with PS hose?

[PandaBear]

A few months ago I've post a thread that I'm looking to replace the power steering pressure hose that is leaking, so I finally found out that it is the inverted flare type and ordered a Gates hose online, got it today.

There is a small plastic plug comes with the hose that I'm not sure how to use, the yellow one that is here:

What is this thing?

 

[StevieC]

The picture isn't very good... I think it's to hold the oil in the one end of whatever you're taking the hose off that could leak oil all over...

 

[PandaBear]

New picture from my camera phone.

 

[StevieC]

???

I have no idea... Looks like it fits into something...

 

[punisher]

It fits over the end of the hose to keep [censored] out of it during shipping.

 

[StevieC]

Take the old one off and see if you have one on there... If not don't worry about it... It's probably not needed...

"Those are spare bolts and not really needed." -- Words you never want to hear from a mechanic!

 

[dirtydave]

just a protector for the hose end.

 

[Gary Allan]

That's my first thought. Especially if it fits over or inside the hose in a snug manner.

 

[demarpaint]

A protector for the threads, and to keep craaap out of the hose.