ammonman

Anybody for sure know the i.d. of the power steering return hose from the "cooler" loop to the reservoir? My memory says the SAE hose I installed when I refurbed the lines is 1/2 i.d which would be a 12mm i.d. hose.

I am going to source some metric hose and see if it will last longer at the reservoir connection than the SAE hose I seem to only be able to get 2 years out of before the the return hose end on the reservoir starts leaking fluid.

Thanks

Mike

ROG100

Mike,
You need another reservoir to pump return line and cut a suitable section from that and it works perfectly - $15.75. Correct size and correct type of hose. Two clamps and you are good to go.
Roger

Sean's idea so I can't take credit for it.

17prospective buyer

Let me know how finding some metric hose goes... i find it really weird how everyone except the USA and a couple others are supposed to be fully metric, yet every damned parts store i go to can't get metric hose.

namasgt

1/2 inch ID is too big, I installed one on my car too and it leaked. I had to tighten the crap out of it, which causes the clamp to cut into the line. The original one may be a 10mm ID line. If someone has the original hose to measure the ID that would be great.

I found these guys:

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FaTm7Aod4R0AAw

They sell it for the Mercedes. Good price for 1 meter of hose, should be enough for 5 cars. But again I'm not sure if the correct ID is 10mm. If you have the old original hose cut it and measure. There has to be another German car out there that has the same ID line.

Or just go with what Roger suggested.

ammonman

Thanks for the tip Roger. Much cheaper than buying a whole meter of metric line, then paying shipping. Please add one reservoir to pump line to the box when you send the other items in my order.

You can get all manner of metric bits from www.belmetric.com

Mike

17prospective buyer

The PS lines are 10mm ID. Ammon thanks bro! They've got everything there. Sometimes it's actually easier to get stuff online than to hunt it out locally. I'm fed up with hunting for common stuff and given something thats just "close enough". Not only does Imperial hose not seal properly on a metric tube, it fits so loose that it always falls off or slips off, which is a pain if you have to put hoses on to something you won't be able to access easily once installed. The charcoal cannister for example.

syoo8

I just did Roger's method.

It is the first time in the 6 years I've owned my 86.5 that it didn't leak.

jpitman2

I had so much trouble with the return line in mine (contortions to get it to point up into the reservoir, and the change of dia.) that I fitted a reducing elbow on the bottom of the reservoir such that the return hose points fwd horizontally, is a good fit, and easy to disconnect.
jp 83 Euro S AT 55k

gcthree

Arrgh! Just hung my pump on the bracket and began to sort the hoses and where they all go and I read this....

I sourced a 1/2" line locally and have it clamped, but upon reading this, clearly...that is not going to work.

I'll take a pump return line, too, Roger.

Bob

gcthree

Per my digital calipers, the reason that the 1/2" hose might leak is that it is a touch over 11mm....

17prospective buyer

Has to fit like a glove.