I have a 93 Vette LT1 that is used as a track car. It has big brakes, and I run 315’s Kuhmo 710’s on the front. I have had all the common PS failures. I replaced the line from the pump to the rack with the Rippie braided line and now the lines on the rack are breaking.

There are two lines that run from the steering box to the far end of the rack. The lines are flared on the rack end but have some trick o-ring seal on the steering box end. Of course the box end is the end that breaks. I bought the last line my GM parts guy could find, and that one broke too. I thought the rack was flexing so I replaced the rack lines and all. It lasted for a while but it broke a line too last weekend.

My only choice is to take the rack back to Autozone and get another one so I can get the new lines.

I was going to convert the lines to Stainless braided, but I need to splice that into the existing one because I don’t think anyone makes the fitting on the steering box end.

My guess is that the big tires and brakes are flexing the front sub frame and rack so much that it is breaking these solid lines.

Do you guys think a shock tower brace would help?

Any advice on making the new lines?

Paul

 

I don't have an answer for your problem but would post a picture of the Rippie line.

thanks
robert

 

I had problems with a broken Oring on the pressure hose, just as it leaves the PS pump. This happened at a Track day.

After reading a lot of posts i concluded and I agree that the problem is related to high RPM's that cause the PS pump to produce too much pressure and a lot of volume of fluid is pumped through the system.
So failures appear to happen at the pump ( seals mostly ), pressure hose or the rack itself.

So I understand that if you just put a new SS braided hose, will make the hose withstand the pressure but now the rack and pump will probably fail.

Some great guys at this forum suggested to contact Turn one steering.com , they modify pumps so they generate less pressure and flow so you will not break hoses and racks. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to talk to them.

And in a post a guy teaches to flare a brake line. I suppose that you could make your own lines out of SS tubing and flare, if not I found a web site that might help, I have not contact them yet but it seems that they can help. www.inlinetube.com.

Hope you solve your problem soon!

Roberto

 

Guys and Gals,
Run a thick beed of black silicone between the lines that are close to the rack. This will solve most of the problems, because it gets rid of the vibration.

Randy
PS one more thing send all pumps to Turn One

 

MikeC4 offered this image in a brake flare thread, but perhaps the
'GM Fuel Line' shown here is similar to the style of end used on the
power steering rack?


I've seen this image as part of the product info for Mastercool's #71475
Universal Hydraulic Flaring Tool Set which is said to be able to make all
four flare styles. However, the kit is pricey at $300-$400 (and I'm sceptical
that a field flare would look as nice as the ones in the picture.)

Kinkajou's suggestion to try Inline Tube has merit. If a vendor didn't
already offer the tube, they might be willing to make one to match
a sample you provide to them. You would think that with their
existing equipment and knowledge, this could give you what you
need without having to replace the entire rack.

Several vendors besides Inline offer pre-made lines. Here are two
more that you can try
Corvette recyclers like vette-to-vette might be able to help,
although they might decline to disassemble an otherwise good
rack. It might also be useful to check for other vehicles that use the
same tubes - it may be possible to scavenge from non-Vettes.

About converting from hardlines to SS braided hose. Aeroquip shows
several PS fittings in the high pressure section of their catalog. Would
either of their two adapters work for you?
.

 

I guess that a Camber Brace such as Corvette Central part # 184085
could be very usefull, because flexing at the rack would be reduced.

 

Wow guys, That is great info. Thanks.


Armed with the info on getting the fittings, lowering the pump pressure and the camber brace I should have the problem fixed.

THANKS!

 

My vote is that Randy@DRM's tip about using silicon to build up an
anti-vibration support for the lines ought to be considered as well.

Dampen the resonance and reduce the occurance of metal fatigue in
the lines.

.

 

I logged lots of track miles with the same set up you have on my 90 SCCA race car, same rack, wheels, tires, etc. without a problem. I think the problem you are encountering is a fatigue failure of the lines on the rack due to vibration. The lines are unsupported end to end. I added a support block midway on the lines held in place with heavy tie
wraps. It works. FYI, idea came from crash of first F-111 while I worked at Grumman years ago. Fuel lines on both engines failed on test flight due to vibration failure. Good luck.

Larry

 

Ok, I will try Randy's idea first. Its the cheapist and easiest.

I am going to VIR on the 4th of July with the vette museum, we'll see how it goes there.

Thanks!