Powersteering hose finally let go

[BillM]

I started up the van this morning for the second time after pulling
it forward for a quick wash. Burgers and dogs were in the fridge
along with a box of ice cream bars. I let families get right in
my Westy at shows so the little kids can climb up top. Open
the cabinets,turn on the water,and then when they open the
fridge. I tell them have an ice-cream bar. It blows their eager little
minds away. I more than once have heads the kids telling their
parents to get a "Westy" as they walk away.

Back to my morning though..dog in,kids belted up with headphones
in their ears. We're ready to go to Litchfield.

It starts up fine and I let it idle for a few minutes while doing mirror checks,
adjusting my seat,clean my glasses. The cold idle drops so I ease down
my driveway and start to turn left. I felt a surge through the wheel
and then a loud bang.

Smoke is coming out from under the van. I have already shut it off and grabbed the extinguisher. My son know the plan so makes sure his older sister is getting out while grabbing the dog. He runs the dog up to the porch and my daughter followed.

I am already at the rear and I can see power steering fluid smoking on the muffler. I give it a small squirt from the aerosol fire extinguisher in a can and set the bigger Extinguisher down. Another small squirt takes care of stoping the smoke completely.

My high pressure powersteering line burst where it transitions from
rubber to metal. I know my lines most likely needed to be replaced
but I have been messing around with different resivoirs. I wanted to
make sure that I had everything hard mounted before getting the
hoses made up. Plus all the local quotes have been outrageous and
they can't make heads or fails from any of the part numbers I
gathered off the posts.

I am also unsure exactly of what I will need to make a neat transition on the high pressure hose in the engine compartment. I need to replace the hose
from the pump to where it meets the fitting on the metal line and will also
need to install hoses instead of the steel lines. I want to bring them in
up high on the firewall through the hole the evap/vacuum lines used
to come through before the conversion. I will then keep them up under
the lip for the engine lid. I will use some nice clamps that have a small
standoff built into them. I am doing this to keep the hoses away from
muffler that sits there on my conversion though there has never been an
issue from heat. It's just a personal preference on their routing.

So now I need to research what I want to do about the hose that burst.
I know it has a restrictor in it that will keep the pump from whinning.
I have been told horror stories of people having a new hose made that
runs from the rack straight to the pump and found the noise was unbearable.
Is there any source for replacements and has anyone had one of these
hoses made up from a local source recently?

I will check the thread on the hoses made to replace the metal pipes
again and search for a better shop. I also see Busdepot has the Parker
branded hose already made up for sale and much cheaper than what I
could get locally. Has anyone purchased these know how long they
are and did they have enough length to route them route them comfortabley?

So,no I didn't make it to Litchfield today. What was supposed to be a day of
eating to many pancakes and taking vans all day. Has turned into a day
of finishing up yard work and sneaking on the Internet to research
replacing my lines.
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

[insyncro]

Graduation parties for me and no Litchfield show either , but my PS is working like a charm.

[BillM]

[insyncro]

On a related note, I just scored a Blue Point hydraulic line flare kit for peanuts on eBay.
My plan is to make hard lines again.
I too have had one of the premade hydraulic lines fail at the crimp.

Plus with conversions, other than the rack, the rest of the system can be removed complete.
Why use premade lines that copy stock and than have to use an adapter kit to hook up to the pump.

Call me crazy I guess

[insyncro]

Didn't mean to kick you.

[BillM]

[buildyourown]

Mine (on my Zetec) did the same. Dumped it all on the hot muffler. Quite the show. Flash point is very high on ATF so no real worry about fire.

I was able to get a replacement hose made at the local hydraulic shop with much better bends. I did have to cut off the original fitting and silver braze it onto the new one. They sell blank fittings designed to be machined and brazed.

If you want more specifics, I can snap a photo and maybe get some measurements. The real key if finding a helpful hose shop. Marine places can be good if you live near the water.

[insyncro]

I didnt realize you need a kit to delete the PS on the Bostig....havent had a chance to really look over the engine bay of my current project yet...too many other, higher priority todos on the list.
All in good time.

The -AN fittings and hose for the high side are bucks....I've done it.
I used reusable fittings and a hose with three times the burst pressure needed, that drove the price to the sky.
If the press on fittings and suitable hose can handle the pressure, than sure.
IIRC, Aeroquip has a PS specific hose available....just not sure which fittings work with it.

[BillM]

Buildyourown some pictures would be great. Did you have them
install or reuse the restrictor from your old hose. You are right
about the show. I had a fire last year in the back of a Westy on
my way to transporter Fest. It was real big flame and lots of
smoke. When your moving the wind really fans them flames
high. My son was with me and only 12 and performed like
a hero. He removed the dog,camera gear, etc..with out missing
a beat. He knew then and even more so today what the fire drill
is. I got that one out using an extinguisher. Was lucky that day.
I do live just about right on the water. About 100" from saltwater
next door to Mystic Seaport Museum. They all use the same place
and there really isn't any others. That jackass is the one who acted
like I was handing him a foreign language when I provided the part
numbers for the Parker fittings and their cross referenced numbers
to several other brands. After a little show of is he supposed to be
a magician and wave his hand over the paper so he can magically
know what I want. He quoted me its going to be at least 350.00
to 400.00. Thanks for the info and look forward to the pics.
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

[Vango Conversions]

I'd just have hoses made up the whole length from the pump to the rack, most hydraulic shops should be able to have it done without too mauch hassle.

Th make sure it's quiet, having the high pressure hose off of a Ford would be a good idea to run from the pump but not required. Don't go with braided stainless line, it'll make it cost more and make more noise.

[xoo00oox]

Hey Bill,

I was wondering what happened to you. If it makes you feel any better, I made the show but still don't have PS. That was one of the things that I did not have time to get to on my project. The pump is there but no hoses yet.
I do have them coming to me made by my local NAPA store. I should have them on Tuesday or Wednesday, if you like, I'll send you a picture of what I get and if you want the same I can get you a set.

Andrew-

[dobryan]

Frank Condelli sells a replacement that may help or maybe he can fab one for your application. Pricing seems reasonable.

http://www.frankcondelli.com/hose.htm
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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[IdahoDoug]

Bill,

I too have had the same luck with the hydraulic hose guys. My local guy moved out of his shop and closed it, I tracked him down at his home where he still does the work out of a little shop. Reason I tracked him down was the $300 price of an OEM hose for one of my vehicles. Asked if he could reuse my fittings and the restrictor and gave him the "hints" that I'm in no hurry as it's a 4th car, I'll pay cash, etc expecting him to take the hint and give me a lowball offer for a job he'll otherwise not get and would do whenever he had time so it would not displace other work. His price? $240. Yeesh. I'm convinced they all just look up the new part online and price at 75%. I'd have been happy to give him $100, knowing he'd have about $25 into it.

So, I got it done at O'Reilly's for $56. In the process, I learned something. Call your local Caterpillar dealer and ask who they use and recommend for their clients. Then bring your old hose to that shop and ask if they can replace the old hose and reuse your hard ends. Also, check O'Reilly's online as I was really pleased and my hose is somewhat exotic, yet - 56 measly bucks....

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[vanagonjr]

Is PS hose replacement worth doing as preventative maintenance? Or is a there a visual check that will quickly tell you the condition?
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798

[Timwhy]

[randywebb]

I do a crawl under every year - I look at them (making sure they are clean also) and squeeze them.
_________________
1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.