TheSamba.com :: View topic - Need some help on replacing power steering lines please?

Sun Nov 29, 2015 5:53 am

warmblood58 wrote: Ummm, double checking, looks like the SmallCar Kit connects to the hard original line which I would like to get rid of so . . . back to the drawing board.

The BusDepot hoses only replace the hard lines. You still have the connections by the Air Filter to the hose from the PS pump and the storage reservior.

That small car hose? That's the item you seek.

Dave

Sun Nov 29, 2015 8:34 am

and don't forget you'll nee a couple of feet of low pressure 1/2" line, from the new hose to the reservoir, for the return line, i've been told oil cooler line will do it, for pressure {it's the low pressure return} and temp.
napa had it, when all other places just scratched their heads, and had no idea where to get it from

Sun Nov 29, 2015 8:48 am

rubbachicken wrote: and don't forget you'll nee a couple of feet of low pressure 1/2" line, from the new hose to the reservoir, for the return line, i've been told oil cooler line will do it, for pressure {it's the low pressure return} and temp.
napa had it, when all other places just scratched their heads, and had no idea where to get it from

I was in a pinch last Summer and used 1/2" fuel line that my NAPA Had on the shelf ....... It is Working well but I should probably upgrade to a oil rated line??

Dave

Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:07 am

Well it looks like if I want to replace the entire run and eliminate the hard lines I will need to pull my lines/ fittings and take to a hydraulic shop for either refitting or reference and buy the correct high pressure and low pressure line in the correct lengths. I see some length measurements on this thread, my PS pump is on the left side (driver side) of my engine - can't remember, is the WBX PS pump on the driver side as well or passenger side?

Sun Nov 29, 2015 11:56 am

WBX PS Pump right rear

Dave

Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:25 am

This might need to be a next year project - no immediate need as I have no leaks. Can the steel lines be removed whole easily enough? It appears that they are held in by steel tabs that are bent over to hold lines correct?

Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:28 pm

For me, hardest part was disconnecting the hard lines from the PS pump line. It was rusted together. The little steel tabs open easily to let the hard lines free. I cut mine about halfway and pulled them out fairly easily.

Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:54 pm

Thank you, that's what I was guessing!

Mon Dec 14, 2015 9:47 am

Ugh,
did this today. Could not remove the lines from above the fuel tank. Managed to cut the lines from the fuel tank back, so I zip tied the lines above the steering rack until I can get the tank down.

Would have been a WHOLE lot easier if I didn't have to do it on my back. Other than not being able to remove that section of the lines, this really wasn't too difficult. I used the kit from Bus Depot.

Mon Dec 14, 2015 10:37 pm

I left the portion of lines above the fuel tank in place as well. I think someone else earlier in the thread did too. Ran my new lines above the lower section of the tank.

Wed May 04, 2016 2:46 pm

Reviving this thread as I'm dealing w/ replacing some PS lines in my 87 Westy...

Specifically been trying to find reliable specs for the hose end fittings.

Creativemind wrote:
I found this but I need someone to confirm it please:
Female DIN 24° Cone Swivel
Light Series With O-Ring
I.D.=3/8
THREAD SIZE=M16X1.5
NUT HEX=19
LENGTH=2.06"
CUT-OFF=1.15"

For the folks that have made their own replacement hydraulic lines... did anyone actually measure the dimensions of the stock fittings at the ps rack?

Wed May 04, 2016 2:51 pm

My shop had me bring in the old ones and because they didn't have the correct fittings, reused my old ones. Only issue was they forgot to include the little reducer that is near the banjo fitting. This makes my system a bit noisy but it's otherwise perfect.

Edit- and the issue was as you mention the profile of the fittings- thread is easy to match flare was not.

Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:58 pm

is it possible to run the van with the PS pump disabled without damaging the rack? my "new"" van needs far more pressing issues addressed (head gaskets/exhaust/all new brake/clutch lines before dealing with a small power steering leak. HP hard line rotted through just past the firewall. was thinking about just taking the belt off, but want to make sure the rack will not get damaged it i were to test drive Krusty once its running/stopping.

Wed Dec 14, 2016 9:59 pm

jerryherb wrote: is it possible to run the van with the PS pump disabled without damaging the rack? my "new"" van needs far more pressing issues addressed (head gaskets/exhaust/all new brake/clutch lines before dealing with a small power steering leak. HP hard line rotted through just past the firewall. was thinking about just taking the belt off, but want to make sure the rack will not get damaged it i were to test drive Krusty once its running/stopping.

More than 10 years ago I did just that, and drove w/out the belt for several years.

I eventually went back to using a belt, and I still have the same power steering rack in place.
Doesn't seem to have upset that rack at all.

Btway.... If you do any parallel parking this is a great way to maintain upper body strength.

Thu Dec 15, 2016 6:08 pm

I replaced my PS hoses last week, removing the old metal ones and installing the Bus Depot hoses. I dropped the tank at the same time to change its plumbing, so it wasn't particularly difficult. Messy, however.

One question: I reused the old clamps on the new hoses, and in a couple of places zip tied them to the stainless steel coolant lines. Is that OK? I wonder if heat from the coolant lines could damage the Bus Depot hoses. I wrote them and they haven't yet responded, so thought I'd consult popular wisdom.

Thanks!

Mon May 14, 2018 1:27 pm

I just replaced my westy's high pressure line with the GW one. The noise is a bit more that I like, especially when the window's up.

I was thinking a union orifice fitting creating the right back pressure may reduce the noise, as I felt that the power steering is stronger than before with the factory hose. Now, knowing Lucas is a smart guy with a P.E. in ME. Perhaps I shouldn't even bother if he couldn't really crack this nut.

I think between steel braided hose probably doesn't expand/contract enough and coupled it with missing a proper flow restrictor the noise is just gonna be the way it is (I think the ID of the steel braided hose is probably small than the factory rubber hose).

And I bet the plastic sleeve for the hose is not for cosmetic reason and it is really for when it had enough of the fatigue cycle to contain the oil spray/leak?!

So what do y'all think? Thx!

Mon Mar 01, 2021 3:19 pm

This is an old thread, but I thought I would reply with a contribution that might be useful for most van owners, and may be especially useful for vans with engine conversions.

My local Parker store hates metric fittings. When I asked them to make hoses for my Vanagon, they scoffed at the fittings offered at the steering rack and at the power steering pump.

Not wanting to leave Parker without hoses, I asked them to build me two 3/8" ID hoses of 12.5' length, each with straight 6AN connectors on one end and 90 degree 6AN connectors on the other. They gladly built these for me.

I then bought the Borgeson 925120 adapter set. It's a set of steel fittings designed convert your power steering rack to 6AN male connectors.

I installed the hoses and put the straight connectors on the power steering rack.

What to do about the power steering pump? It's usually a 16mm x 1.5 metric fitting. If you buy a second set of Borgeson converters you can put the 16mm adapter on the PS pump and make things work.

The 6AN 90 degree connector on the pressure hose will connect to the PS pump once an adapter is used.

For the Bostig conversion, you can do the same, or buy a special Ford PS pump adapter like this one. The problem with this adapter is it's aluminum, and doesn't mix well with the steel parts used everywhere else in the system.

For the return hose, if you are using an original (barbed nipple) style small return hose, get a Derale 98204 6AN male to 3/8" hose barb adapter. If you later change your PS reservoir to something custom (which typically use AN connections) you're ready for that.

Now I have 6AN connections through most of the PS system.

kourt

Tue Sep 13, 2022 6:25 pm

This is great info Kourt. I need to replace my hoses and this seems like the best option. Thanks for posting. Hope it's still working well.