Need some help on replacing power steering lines please?

[bobhill8]

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.
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1986 Westy
1971 Squareback

[kourt]

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

[mbwesty]

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!

[87RedWesty]

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!

[levi]

[jerryherb]

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.

[junichi]

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.
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1964 Kombi- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=640048
Sold: 1985 Transporter Doka,1978 Westfalia, 1975 bay x 2, 1986 syncro vanagon, 1965 beetle, 1980 vanagon, 1967 deluxe bus, 1988 golf

[kpbo]

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.

[junichi]

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.
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1964 Kombi- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=640048
Sold: 1985 Transporter Doka,1978 Westfalia, 1975 bay x 2, 1986 syncro vanagon, 1965 beetle, 1980 vanagon, 1967 deluxe bus, 1988 golf

[SteelB12]

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.
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1987 Westy

[warmblood58]

Thank you, that's what I was guessing!

[junichi]

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.
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1964 Kombi- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=640048
Sold: 1985 Transporter Doka,1978 Westfalia, 1975 bay x 2, 1986 syncro vanagon, 1965 beetle, 1980 vanagon, 1967 deluxe bus, 1988 golf

[warmblood58]

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?

[djkeev]

WBX PS Pump right rear

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[warmblood58]

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?

[djkeev]

[rubbachicken]

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
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lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'

[djkeev]

[rubbachicken]

the bus depot hoses have straight ends on them, i thought they'd be too short with the straight ends, i think it helped, the 90° ends would have made the hoses too short
_________________
lucy our westy

lucy's BIG adventure

meet 'burni'

[warmblood58]

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.