Infamous Power Steering Hose

[highfive]

Had the infamous power steering hose blowout yesterday.

A month or so ago I lost my power steering cap twice and was searching around some forums as to why it would come off and all I could find was stuff on the pressure hose blowing out. I thought hmmm, never had a drop of anything come out til the cap blew. So a week ago I was checking the fluid again and noticed the hard line going into the pump on the pressure side could be moved in and out a little but no leaks. Walked out the door at work and here's puddle of fluid on the ground and dripping down the frame, started truck up and it was pouring out of fitting on pump so jumped in to get it home and holy cow those 35's are hard to redirect without a pump. Stopped by schucks(cause it's on the way) and asked if they had a hose they said at the other one in town(which is also kind of on the way) for $39 but I figured to just go straight home and take the car down there but decided to call Napa when I got home and they said they had one for $28. Went down there in the car and picked it up(they gave me the wrong one first time around looked totally different) I remembered the part number from schucks and they cross-referenced and got me the right one $10 bucks cheaper and with a lifetime warranty. I snugged them up but what is the torque supposed to be on the two ends?

 

[Crumm]

dunno what the torque spec is but I am sure someone will chime in.

As far as the cap blowing off that is a common problem. I lost two of them until I drilled a small hole in the upper tab and use a zip tie to tie it down. The cap usually blows if your pressure is low(like with engine off)and you turn the wheel.

I think there is a better hose out there but I forget the fix. Anyone remember what the updated hose is?

 

[highfive]

Thanks, both the caps I lost were lose fitting and the second one fell off on the drive across town before I could get to some place to get a bigger oring for it. the last one i have now fits snug and don't think it will be a problem but I thought about drilling a hole for a zip tie anyway when I put it on probably still will. I think the hose I got was the updated one-came from Napa stated on the hose with a tag that it may appear different than factory one is it had been updated and since it came with a lifetime replacement warranty and only took about 15 minutes to change I was happy.

 

[martyfowler]

the fitting on the pump end of the hose needs 10 to 20 ft/lbs of torque. im not sure on the gearbox fitting.

ive owned this truck for 5 years now and never had a problem with the power steering cap or hose. i came across a thread the other day about the issues with the hose, and it got me thinking i should get a new hose to carry as a spare. low and behold, exactly 2 days later as i am pulling out of a parking lot, i hear a loud pop, and there is P.S. fluid spraying all over the place. its kind of strange how stuff like that works. no problems until you find out something is likely to fail.

i do agree, 35's are hard to handle with no power steering. -marty