Alternative to $587 Power steering return hose. Searched forums, no posts, this is the first

So I'm getting the frame recall done on my 06 DCLB 4x4 4.0L. My mechanic calls and tells me the rack and power steering hoses should really be replaced, this is what they look like.



Disregard the two hose running along the length of the rack, those will come with the new rack. Pay attention to the two hoses running out of the gear box (to the right of the pump pulley) The metal line coming out of the rack is the pressure hose which my mechanic told me is in great shape... GREAT! but the rubber hose that feeds up to the VERY rusty metal hose with green masking tape on it is the return hose which is GARBAGE.

So I call around looking for an aftermarket return hose, Napa, Carquest, Part Source, Canadian Tire, Rock Auto...... NOTHING. (keep in mind in Canada)

So I call the dealer.... this is where shit gets crazy. $587 dollars for a power steering hose assembly!!!!! F&%$ ME!!!!! the assembly is both pressure and return hoses assembled with brackets. Doesn't come any other way.

So considering that the hoses will cost me more than the reman rack I just bought, I was wondering if there is an alternative to this? Can I make a hose? Are they any specific materials I must use (degradation issues with power steering fluid?). Considering that the return hose is rubber on both attachment points (rack and reservoir), can I just run a rubber hose straight from the rack to the reservoir?

 

I'd see what your local hydraulic hose shop can do.

 

Agreed. I used to do engine swaps and RHD conversions on 240sx's and had a shop fab all my lines.

 

So I found a hydraulic shop in town that can supply me with 3000 psi rubber tubing in the size that I need, I will keep the pressure hose, my mechanic removed it from the rack today and said everything came off clean.

Would it be ok to use a rubber hose all the way back to the return? The only thing I would be concerned with is hydraulic jump (hose will jump during rapid pressure changes) but I think securing it well enough will rememdy this.

Any suggestions?

 

i would ask if the dealer could goodwill the repair

 

What happened here? I have the same issue with that hard/rubber line. It's leaking rather profusely.

 

If its just your return hose then replace it with 3/8 transmission hose from any parts store, thats what I used and it works fine. Ziptie it back upto the resevoir

 

thats exactly what i did for the low pressure side, cost less than $20, no more leaks

the local auto parts also had the high pressure line for $87

 

I was thinking the same thing. Why can't I just cut the hard line, leaving some on both ends, and just slide in a fuel hose or so? I'm referring to the line with the tape from the OP's pic.

 

Can you take a pic?

 

Probably would be best you just replace the entire hose, 3/8 hose from napa will do the trick, and it fits the stock hose clamps.

 

What did you end up doing?

 

exactly that

 

I now see I missed it in your first reply. Hooked on phonics! No problems with the flow using the rubber hose?

 

nope its just the low pressure return line, mine has been like that for well over a year and its been disconnected a couple times (frame swap, rack bushings) and put back with no problems

 

Tell the yoyo's (good name for dealer hands) that they caused the problem doing the frame job.......... Really! Everything is negotiable at this point I'd say.... go up to the sales department - do they want to sell more trucks? We could always "leak" the dealers name.......

My old Dodge had this trouble (steering return line hose) and O-Reillys actually had kit of the right hose and clamps to fix it.

 

I am in the exact same boat right now, truck is on the lift and I can get a rack for 589 and Toyota wants 580 for the hose. Did they have any issues using a non Toyota part?

 

I just take my old hose to the hydraulic supply store and they replace the bad sections with flex hose, as another poster mentioned. I use "omniflex" on Kipling/queensway in toronto.

 

You can replace the entire return line with a rubber hose.

 

Would the new return line from 3/8" transmission need to be the same over-all length as the original hose? Or could it just go straight from reservoir to rack?