Here's a bump, I am planning on replacing mine in very near future............
Flared fittings don't need teflon.
Power steering lines question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Power steering lines question
Should you use teflon or similar when installing power steering hoses? I swapped out my valve last night and the hoses are leaking at the valve now. There was no teflon used before and my gut says no, but was wondering if this was an acceptable thing to try prior to buying new lines. The existing lines appear in good shape, what are the odds I buy new hoses and they leak too- i.e. something wrong at the valve?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
teflon is not needed on the compression fittings. check the seats on the valve for nicks or other damage. use a q-tip and a good light. did all the old hoses leak? bubba may have had 20 inch arms and over torqued the fittings.
jeff
jeff
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,246
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From: Watkins Glen NY
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Chester VA
Thanks that's what I thought. Luckily I'm minutes from Zip's so will go by and get new hoses tomorrow. No, the old hoses didn't leak, but my experience with these things is once you disturb old parts, gremlins will emerge. Kansas, if I had it to do over, I'd of just bought the kit, with hoses, valve, and cylinder and get the whole system done at once. I don't know about you, but the frustration of another trip under the car and another Saturday morning lost is more costly than the extra parts. Not to mention I drove the car to work today thinking all was well, only to find a puddle under the car at lunch time.
Last edited by wiseman79; Mar 17, 2008 at 09:29 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 469
From: Wichita Kansas
Best of luck on your system.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 197
From: Loveland, CO
Only advantage to using teflon is to reduce friction on the threads and get all your torque on the flare seat itself. It's use comes in handy sometimes on gas line fittings, brake lines and any other type of flare connection. Only reduces friction, not sealing.
Ralph.
Ralph.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Oklahoma
I disagree. The primary purpose of Teflon tape is to seal pipe threads, not distribute torque.
Last edited by no2pencel; Mar 20, 2008 at 12:01 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Roanoke Rapids NC
i had the PS leaking blues too on my '74....replaced the three hoses with threads on each end, didn't solve the problem. replaced the main hose with the clamp on one end... problem solved 
it was also dripping out of the grease fitting on the bottom of the valve, just slipped a vacuum plug over it and presto! potty trained vette.
it was also dripping out of the grease fitting on the bottom of the valve, just slipped a vacuum plug over it and presto! potty trained vette.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 197
From: Loveland, CO
No2pencel, I stand corrected, the primary purpose or teflon tape is the seal pipe threads.
I only meant to say that its slickness can be helpful in reducing flare joint thread friction.
Ralph.
I only meant to say that its slickness can be helpful in reducing flare joint thread friction.
Ralph.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 736
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From: Chester VA
Problem fixed. I swapped the valve. I compared the faulty valve with the other new one. The brass fitting inside the valve on the ram output sides were recessed deeper than on the good one. I tried the hoses on both out of the car and what was happening was I could thread the hoses into the bad one until I was out of threads, and it wouldn't reach all the way to mate with the brass fitting inside the valve. The good one only went several turns in then contacted and sealed. Zip as usual was great and gave me no grief on the exchange. Thanks everyone.