Power Steering hoses
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Airway Heights Washington
Power Steering hoses
I need to replace an hose in my 1978, and I was going to replace them all with braided stainless steel hoses. I found some for $200 but was thing of making my own to cut cost, but I am unsure about the hassle. Any thoughts?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 904
Likes: 46
From: Crestline CA
Im fairly sure that any assemble yourself braided hose(AN style) isnt rated for power steering use. I have made my own power steering hoses in the past but the hose is blue fabric covered and uses specific ends. If you have a hose supply place around you(place that makes hydraulic hoses for industrial use) they should be able to handle the job for a fair price.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
The PS lines on our cars have tight bends and a very specific design to work around everything in that tight area. The line kits aren't that expensive and I can't see having them built will save much cash. If you need that extra durability of a stainless steel braided line, then you can bring your old lines to any hydraulic line shop to have them copied but it won't be cheap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
You CAN do it yourself BUT you need to use Teflon lined braided hose and associated steel AN fittings and adapters.
The Teflon hose is high pressure and is what is used for braided brake lines. Aluminum fittings and adapters do not provide enough strength for this application - they must be steel. Most of the bigger hot rod catalogues list this stuff.
The Teflon hose is high pressure and is what is used for braided brake lines. Aluminum fittings and adapters do not provide enough strength for this application - they must be steel. Most of the bigger hot rod catalogues list this stuff.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Airway Heights Washington
What about just getting the OEM hoses and putting my own braided stainless steel covers on them? I think this would give me the look I want, the durability I want, at a price I can stand.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,328
Likes: 1,589
From: Western NY
As far as I can tell, the "covers" are pretty close to the OD of the hose, and the "pressure" line, of a P/S system, already has fitting on both ends, so you won't be able to slip the cover over them. On the "return" side, there's a fitting on one end, but the other just slips on, and is held by a hose clamp, so you might be able to use the covering on that one.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The stock hoses will last for 15 or more years with no problems. And, when dirty you can wipe them down with a rag. If you go with braided hoses, they will be WAY MORE expensive, and you'll have to pull out the pressure washer to get the dirt/grease out of the braiding.
SS braided hoses sounds good, but it might not be as good as you think.
SS braided hoses sounds good, but it might not be as good as you think.