j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Hi,
I have leakage where my return line attaches to the power steering fluid reservoir. This is a complex metal and rubber tubing assembly. Near the reservoir is a P-shaped molded curve, and the tubing end is expanded as well. I have heard of people cutting off and replacing just this rubber part but what do I use for a donor or substitute hose?
Thanks,
Dave

FredR

I used a length of hydraulic hose-made sure there were no kinks.The trick is to get the run length just right.

The tricky bit was getting the suction line to the pump right- best bet for that one is to get the pre-formed section from Roger or any of our parts supplier friends who have it available. The problem with that section is different size connections either end of the hose [if my memory serves me correctly] and having a material soft enough to make the connections and bend as appropriate without kinking. I managed that very carefully but do not recommend such.

ammonman

Buy a second factory hose from the reservoir to the pump inlet. You can harvest a portion of this hose to replace the return section you speak of. The factory hose will have the correct metric I.D. to seal properly. Props to Sean Ratts for this handy tip.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

The tubing assembly is almost $300, if available. That's the only reason I ask. It is low pressure, so a non-crimped solution might work, if anyone knows of one.
Thanks again,
Dave

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

I have seen this suggestion. I notice the reservoir nipples are two different sizes. How will the same size hose end fit both?
Thanks,
Dave

FredR

The end of the tubing is rolled- there is no pressure worth talking about in that section - I used a quality jubilee clip.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

I figured I'd replaces the reservoir $30, the short molded tube to the pump $20, then buy hose to replace the hardened, molded end of the return line. What size tubing should I get?
Thanks again,
Dave

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Based on Dwayne's advice and some measurements of my metal line, I ordered some 12 mm ID oil hose. I think it will stretch to the larger diameter and clamp down to the lower diameter where needed. At least, that's where I'll start and modify from there. The hose arrangement changes quite a bit between model years. I will post my eventual arrangement for my 84.
Thanks,
Dave

FredR

Dave,

No idea what diameter I used- it was a length of hose in my bag of spare hoses that I purchased some time earlier. You could check on the old hose by cutting away a little from one of the ends and measuring the ID. 12mm sounds reasonable.

As you rightly say different models may have different sizes unlikely though it may seem.

FYI- suction hoses to pumps are usually a stock size or two bigger than the discharge hose to help reduce velocity and thus the friction losses to help prevent cavitation not that such is likely on the PS system...

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Thanks, Fred.
Due to the mess involved, I will wait to cut away the hoses until I have most of the replacement parts. I know I may have to go buy some other hose based on my findings.
Will post how it works.
Dave

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Well I couldn't really wait, so I removed the reservoir, cut the rubber segment off the metal return line pipe and pulled the molded suction line (reservoir to pump).. I ordered a new res to pump molded hose. The rubber section of the return line is 10mm at the metal line and 12mm at the reservoir nipple. I have a 3/8 to 1/2 inch reducer brass barbed coupling, so I will go 10mm ID hose (which I already have) to reducer coupling to 12mm hose to new reservoir. Low pressure and good clamps should hold OK and looks like it won't kink We'll see.
Dave

Jason89s4

I did something almost identical to what you described, and it has held up fine, no issues.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Thanks, Jason. Good to know.
Dave

karl ruiter

I noticed that you can often buy the return hoses, but not the feed hoses, used on ebay. Not sure how wise that would be as the rubber on these used parts is likely still old.

ROG100

The return line for the 84 is circa $260 for the complete hose. As already said a length of good quality hydraulic hose and clamp should do the job nicely.