Man, it’s hard to find quality hose today

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

And I’m not talking about females. Well maybe, females too. What do you guys do to find quality made fuel hose today ? I put a 3/8 inch fuel hose on my low pressure / power steering gear box about 6 or 7 months ago. The heat, which couldn’t have ever been very high. Because my car never over heated and it never reached much over 90 degrees here over the summer. Just light heat transfer from the manifold to the gear box. The last inch of the hose was melting slightly from heat transfer from the gear box to the attachment nipple. Total junk. No wonder it was leaking. Im replacing the valve body seals right now. I was going to buy 3/8 hydraulic hose. But, I can’t find it locally that doesn’t have attached hydraulic fittings. I’m not sure if you can even make a clean cut with that type of hose because it’s encased in what looks like a heavy vinyl material ? What do you guys think ?

R413 · Feb 9, 2020

The oil damaged the hose, not the heat. Fuel hose is not made for oil.
I agree the quality is different than years ago.

Johnpat · Feb 9, 2020

Find a tractor supply parts dept.they should have hose
that would fits your needs.

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

R413 said:
The oil damaged the hose, not the heat. Fuel hose is not made for oil.
I agree the quality is different than years ago.

You’re right. But, damn. I thought it would last 6 months. Before I installed it. I called around the regular auto chains. Half of the people that answer phones don’t know what hydraulic hose is. Let alone carry it. You know Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc. Doesn’t carry quality stuff.

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

Johnpat said:
Find a tractor supply parts dept.they should have hose
that would fits your needs.

I tried that today. The only hydraulic hose they carry has fittings attached for tractors, etc. I don’t know if you can make a clean cut with that type of hose or not ? It’s pretty rugged. I might have to give it a try. It has large, ugly lettering all over it though, lol ! Too ugly, for my ride. But, my choices seam to be limited.

Mike67 · Feb 9, 2020

You can buy any size hydraulic rated hose online. If you are using it on PS system I would advise getting the stainlees reinforced hose. Its woven inside the rubber shell, not like the external, it is suitable for higher pressures.
Remeber when liquid is pressurized it creates heat...a lot of heat.

5wndwcpe · Feb 9, 2020

Chances are good you might need an 11/32" hose anyway.

Richard Cranium · Feb 9, 2020

pearljam724 said:
And I’m not talking about females. Well maybe, females too. What do you guys do to find quality made fuel hose today ? I put a 3/8 inch fuel hose on my low pressure / power steering gear box about 6 or 7 months ago. The heat, which couldn’t have ever been very high. Because my car never over heated and it never reached much over 90 degrees here over the summer. Just light heat transfer from the manifold to the gear box. The last inch of the hose was melting slightly from heat transfer from the gear box to the attachment nipple. Total junk. No wonder it was leaking. Im replacing the valve body seals right now. I was going to buy 3/8 hydraulic hose. But, I can’t find it locally that doesn’t have attached hydraulic fittings. I’m not sure if you can even make a clean cut with that type of hose because it’s encased in what looks like a heavy vinyl material ? What do you guys think ?

Are you saying that you got hosed on hose?

threewood · Feb 9, 2020

I agree in general, but you used the wrong hose for the application. Check out Dennis's thread where the company that sells gas tanks, made for holding and running gasoline, used a hose that degraded and failed due to contact with....gas. Unfrickinbelievable.

And no one local to me carries 3/8" f.i. hose.

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

Mike67 said:
You can buy any size hydraulic rated hose online. If you are using it on PS system I would advise getting the stainlees reinforced hose. Its woven inside the rubber shell, not like the external, it is suitable for higher pressures.
Remeber when liquid is pressurized it creates heat...a lot of heat.

Good deal, Mike. Sounds good. That’s what I’ll look for. That stainless, reinforced hose is probably difficult to make clean cuts though ? How do you suggest cutting it, cut wheel ? Post a pic of the stuff you’re talking about. Thank you

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

threewood said:
I agree in general, but you used the wrong hose for the application. Check out Dennis's thread where the company that sells gas tanks, made for holding and running gasoline, used a hose that degraded and failed due to contact with....gas. Unfrickinbelievable.

And no one local to me carries 3/8" f.i. hose.

You’re right, bud. I knew that from the start. I was wrong in thinking perhaps a quality fuel hose could hold up to the task for a year or so. Because, I couldn’t find hydraulic hose locally several months ago. I initially thought it melted. Surprised me, that it happened so fast. As you guys kindly, pointed out.

70chall440 · Feb 9, 2020

Quite some time ago when I was building my 70 Challenger I needed some hose/line. I had been out of car building for a long time and was relatively new to this area so I didn't really know where to look. On a fluke I stopped by a place that caters to truckers, industrial equipment, etc. and lo and behold they had everything I could ever want. They even installed high pressure fittings and made custom lines. Since then (about 20 years ago) I have developed the ability to make all my own hoses and now order bulk hose and the fittings. I do fuel lines, PS lines and brake lines. But I learned a lot about hoses, fittings and flares in the process.

My point is; look outside the automotive world and to the industrial side or hydraulic repair side and you will find what you want.

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

Richard Cranium said:
Are you saying that you got hosed on hose?

I said, “ You can’t find quality hose “ They’re constantly, creating problems. Doesn’t take long, for them to turn into stiffs. Or, maybe I don’t have enough hose. Ha ha

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

70chall440 said:
Quite some time ago when I was building my 70 Challenger I needed some hose/line. I had been out of car building for a long time and was relatively new to this area so I didn't really know where to look. On a fluke I stopped by a place that caters to truckers, industrial equipment, etc. and lo and behold they had everything I could ever want. They even installed high pressure fittings and made custom lines. Since then (about 20 years ago) I have developed the ability to make all my own hoses and now order bulk hose and the fittings. I do fuel lines, PS lines and brake lines. But I learned a lot about hoses, fittings and flares in the process.

My point is; look outside the automotive world and to the industrial side or hydraulic repair side and you will find what you want.

That’s exactly what I’d like. A custom line with fittings on both ends. Very easy to do on gear box end. But, I don’t know for pump/reservoir end. Being there’s a piece of tubing.

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

5wndwcpe said:
Chances are good you might need an 11/32" hose anyway.

I think you’re right. I came across that measurement online, concerning this. 3/8 though, is close and snug. 11/32 is probably perfect.

Mike67 · Feb 9, 2020

pearljam724 said:
Good deal, Mike. Sounds good. That’s what I’ll look for. That stainless, reinforced hose is probably difficult to make clean cuts though ? How do you suggest cutting it, cut wheel ? Post a pic of the stuff you’re talking about. Thank you

Ya I always use a cutoff wheel when cutting any kind of stainless. Just make sure to blow out the line before assembly.

pearljam724 · Feb 9, 2020

Mike67 said:
Ya I always use a cutoff wheel when cutting any kind of stainless. Just make sure to blow out the line before assembly.

Good suggestion. That’ll look nice too. Thanks

vintage chromoly · Feb 9, 2020

I don’t think the return line has much pressure. You don’t need reinforced lines for that application IMO.
My reproduction power steering hose has been on for almost 10 years and it has no reinforcement.
The pressurized side.....absolutely needs to be rated hydraulic hose for the pressure it will see. (I believe around 1300 PSI)

RJRENTON · Feb 9, 2020

IMO...
The power steering return line hose is 11/32" inside diameter. It, in all likelihood, has an inner tube of either BUNA-A or EPDM rubber. Its max pressure rating is sround 500 psi, although the pressure it sees is significantly lower becsuse its on the return line from the steering gear. The HIGH PRESSURE hose, ftom the pump to the steering gear is larger, with the same BUNA-A inner tube or iiner and a braded steel reinforced construction, and a external BUNA-A or EPDM cover. This hose sees approximately 1500 psi hydraulic fluid pressure when the steering is at full lock and the pump's high pressure relief valve is opening and when executing parking maneuvers. Just remember to use a medium viscosity HYDRAULIC OIL (not ATF) similar to ISOVIS 46. As it has all the anti foam, viscosity and anti wear additives for vane pump operation. Just my opinion of course.
BOB RENTON

69L48Z27 · Feb 9, 2020

Don’t over think the return hose. My local Advance Auto or Autozone (Can’t remember which side of the street it was ) had 11/32” power steering return hose by the foot. Couple cars now and zero issue. One car has the original style Corbin clamps and the other has worm gear clamps.

Get the right hose for the application and be done with it.

Man, it’s hard to find quality hose today

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