[peartree]

Has anyone had trouble replacing the pressure-side power steering hose (from pump to rack)?



I'm in the process of installing a remanufactured steering rack and decided to replace the hoses while I'm there. The bends in the rigid section of the hose at the rack side are slightly different from my original hose. The result is that I can't get it to fit into the bracket that's supposed to hold it to the rack. Also, the replacement hose is much stiffer than the original - probably an improvement, but it makes connecting it to the pump a real bear and it ends up resting against the block after I've wrestled it into position at the pump (not good).



I got the hose from Paragon and talked with Jason today about the fitment challenges I'm having. He confirmed that this is an original equipment replacement part (p/n 944 347 447 02) and he offered to check his stock and look for any differences. I'll talk with him tomorrow to see what he's learned.



The rack is correct and my old hose fits perfectly. However, I'd really prefer to replace this hose while I'm doing the steering rack project. I don't believe the original hose is leaking (yet), but it looks pretty tired. Also, I'm of the mindset to invest some extra time now to avoid problems or re-work down the line.



Anyone already been through this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.



Thanks!

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[peartree]

First off - the service from the guys at Paragon has been excellent. They provided a replacement hose in a matter of a couple days to see if I'd have better luck and to see if the first one I rec'd was maybe a fluke. While the replacement did fit a little better at the steering pump side, it unfortunately still didn't fit into the bracket on the rack. Also, I found that it interferes with the sway bar because it protrudes rather far from the rack. Check out the attached pictures.



They've sold a number of these, but I'm the first to have problems with the fit. It is possible that others are willing to bend the rigid portion of the line to shoe-horn it in there. I'm just not willing to take the chance at the risk of kinking the hose.



I'm going to bite the bullet and try a hose from the dealer. Unfortunately at about $200 (with PCA discount) it's about twice the cost of the Paragon part. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/dry.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[bob blackwell]

Since the old hose fits just fine, I would just take it to a local hydraulic hose fabricator and have a new hose made up using the original fittings. When I have done that here in Albuquerque it was about 1/10 of the Porsche price and still fit just right. Our local hydraulic hose fabricator is called: PECO, Inc., do not know if they are a national brand, but look in the telephone book under commercial hydraulic hose fabricators. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[lee]

[quote name='bob blackwell' date='Feb 20 2006, 07:20 PM']Since the old hose fits just fine, I would just take it to a local hydraulic hose fabricator and have a new hose made up using the original fittings.  When I have done that here in Albuquerque it was about 1/10 of the Porsche price and still fit just right.  Our local hydraulic hose fabricator is called:  PECO, Inc., do not know if they are a national brand, but look in the telephone book under commercial hydraulic hose fabricators.  Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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Hi Bob,



I've had ongoing problems with my hoses and tank. Had everything replaced but in no time the hoses started to leak again. Let me know how you solve your problem. I'd love to find an outside source for a stainlees steel tank and proper fittings that would not need constant attention.



Good Luck,



Lee

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[bob blackwell]

Lee, I had leaks under the reservoir which turned out to be stretched and cracked hoses at the attachment point to the reservoir. First I drained the fluid from the reservoir and removed the hoses and cut off the damaged part and reinstalled them using new aircraft type hose clamps. When leaks appeared again I ordered a new reservoir (there is a non replaceable filter built into the bottom of the reservoir and my car had over 100,000 miles on it so I decided to replace the reservoir as a preventive maintenance item). I replaced the hoses with new ones which were very difficult to stretch on to the attaching point under the reservoir, using the aircraft type hose clamps. there have been no leaks since. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[lee]

[quote name='bob blackwell' date='Feb 20 2006, 10:40 PM']Lee, I had leaks under the reservoir which turned out to be stretched and cracked hoses at the attachment point to the reservoir.  First I drained the fluid from the reservoir and removed the hoses and cut off the damaged part and reinstalled them using new aircraft type hose clamps.  When leaks appeared again I ordered a new reservoir (there is a non replaceable filter built into the bottom of the reservoir and my car had over 100,000 miles on it so I decided to replace the reservoir as a preventive maintenance item).  I replaced the hoses with new ones which were very difficult to stretch on to the attaching point under the reservoir, using the aircraft type hose clamps.  there have been no leaks since.  Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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Thanks Bob,



This info is helpful. One last question, what kind of clamps are you using and where would I find them? I checked Earl's but their clamps seem to be more decorative and not much of an improvement over the stock clamps.



Thanks again,



Lee

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[bob blackwell]

Lee, the aircraft style hose clamps came from a parts store such as Auto Zone, Checkers, or NAPA, I don't remember which one. They have a screw attached which threads into slots on the band which goes around the hose. The are a bit wider than the stock hose clamps and do not tear into the hose and cause the hose to crack and split. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[lee]

[quote name='bob blackwell' date='Feb 21 2006, 10:38 AM']Lee, the aircraft style hose clamps came from a parts store such as Auto Zone, Checkers, or NAPA, I don't remember which one.  They have a screw attached which threads into slots on the band which goes around the hose.  The are a bit wider than the stock hose clamps and do not tear into the hose and cause the hose to crack and split.  Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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Thanks Bob,



Lee

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[bob blackwell]

[quote name='lee' date='Feb 22 2006, 06:38 PM']Thanks Bob,



Lee

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de Nade, Amigo! Bob Blackwell.

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