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What should I replace this power steering return line with?

clutch2k3

clutch2k3

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I've been looking for a replacement for this power steering return line with cooling loops but I can't find anything. the pic is of the underside of my radiator. I want to replace it because the return line has been weeping PS fluid for a long time now. I already tried cutting a half inch off the rubber line and re-attaching it with a worm gear style hose clamp but its still leaking.

blzr_20240105_211600.jpg
 
pic from the top. I'm 90% sure its leaking where the rubber return line connects to the pump

blzr_20240304_230345.jpg
 
clutch2k3 said:
I've been looking for a replacement for this power steering return line with cooling loops but I can't find anything. the pic is of the underside of my radiator. I want to replace it because the return line has been weeping PS fluid for a long time now. I already tried cutting a half inch off the rubber line and re-attaching it with a worm gear style hose clamp but its still leaking.

View attachment 509651
Click to expand...
I know I have somewhere in my stash, if I find it I will post up
 
How old is the rubber return line ?
Is it ps return line or fuel line?
Os return line can be found in 11/32" dia fits really tight on the 3/8 pipe nipple.

Hose clamp in picture way to big.
 
AFAIK
Wes Harden said:
How old is the rubber return line ?
Is it ps return line or fuel line?
Os return line can be found in 11/32" dia fits really tight on the 3/8 pipe nipple.

Hose clamp in picture way to big.
Click to expand...
- AFAIK the line's 36 years old
- definetly PS return line, not fuel line. those cooling loops are crimped to the rubber return line, like the pressure side has crimps. I have not found one thing on the internet that looks look it. I've even searched chevy 80's vans, C/K trucks & suburbans. this return line is a mystery.
- I'll try a smaller hose clamp. What about slathering some rtv in there? that fixes everything, right?
 
The return line leaking seems a bit odd, under minimal pressure, and to leak right at the nipple even after cutting the hose back doesn't really sound like a hose issue.

I wouldn't use RTV it will be a mess to clean up if it actually sticks. You'll never get a good seal again if there are blobs of rtv on the mating surface. That's tucked up in there pretty good, cleaning without removing the whole pump would be a pain.

You could always buy a cooler-less return line for that year truck to see if a new hose really does fix it. I've got a couple of those cooler setups in my garage, but I know very little about their usage. GM didn't seem to worry about needing PS coolers until very late in the run, bypassing it for awhile/forever won't hurt a thing.
 
dyeager535 said:
The return line leaking seems a bit odd, under minimal pressure, and to leak right at the nipple even after cutting the hose back doesn't really sound like a hose issue.

I wouldn't use RTV it will be a mess to clean up if it actually sticks. You'll never get a good seal again if there are blobs of rtv on the mating surface. That's tucked up in there pretty good, cleaning without removing the whole pump would be a pain.

You could always buy a cooler-less return line for that year truck to see if a new hose really does fix it. I've got a couple of those cooler setups in my garage, but I know very little about their usage. GM didn't seem to worry about needing PS coolers until very late in the run, bypassing it for awhile/forever won't hurt a thing.
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I agree, I'm starting to think the leak is a symptom of another problem. IDK what would cause this but the gearbox is a borgenson (not in the pic above, less than a year old), and the pressure line is about a year old. all thats left to do is replace the pump and the return line, right?

I'm going to be towing ~3000lbs, its lifted 2" and riding on 33"s. How important is the PS cooler? maybe I could just make an under-radiator finned cooler work?
 
clutch2k3 said:
maybe I could just make an under-radiator finned cooler work?
Click to expand...
This is what I was going to recommend. Fuel line with good, correctly sized clamps. Low pressure on that side of the system.

But if you have cut the hose short already and it still leaks, I would be looking at the seal on the pressure line on the back of the pump.
 
Hose that old is probably to hard to form a new seal on fitting.

My truck has a ford ps cooler bolted to the porprotioning valve. GM didn't supply one,wven though it is a Trailering Special.
 
"I would be looking at the seal on the pressure line on the back of the pump."

I've never tried to fix a PS pump, I've just replaced them. If it were leaking in the back on the pressure side and it was 36 years old would you take the time to try and repair it or just replace it? I'm thinking just replace it but idk if only NEW (Never Ever Worked) junk is available and it's better to try and repair the old one.
 
Well boys, I found the source of the new leak: I nicked the resevior with a cut wheel while removing the alt bracket so the new headers could fit (falm palm like 4 times). If you didn't have something to laugh about this week, now you do. My old man eyes didn't see the tiny nick in the upper corner until I started inspecting everything with a work light.
 
I'm going to tack weld it.

How does it come out? Remove the pulley? Remove the serpentine bracket? Cherry pick the entire engine block?

Finally found this video:
 
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Does anyone have a solid recommendation for a power steering pump for an ’89 4WD K5, 5.7L TBI SBC?

Summit and Amazon options are slim, and the reviews are rough — especially on the Cardone remans. Not excited about gambling on another junk rebuild.

I finally tack-welded the reservoir (0.030" flux core, lowest setting, one quick zap per trigger - went great). Reassembled it… and the original 36-year-old reservoir seal immediately started leaking. Of course.

Bought a rebuild kit and decided to do the bushings while I was in there. Big mistake. I managed to ruin both the old and new shaft bushings trying to pound them in. Hammering them in went absolutely nothing like the YouTube videos make it look. Honestly, I should’ve just replaced the O-rings and seal and left the bushing alone. I’d be driving right now instead of typing this.
 
I just bought a Performance Steering Components PSC SP1400 from Summit and a Dorman 300-200 Power Steering Pump Pulley from Amazon. I can't find a better quality high pressure hose than the Edelmann 71402. I was told by PSC sales that their hose kits use AN adapters which I don't feel like getting into. I'll update after it all arrrives.
 
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