From: "dontemail2002" Date: Sun Nov 20, 2005 7:17 pm Subject: Use the Subaru PS hose to solve the power steering noise problem dontemail2002 Offline Send Email This is a description of the power steering hose I used on my 2001 2.5L engine I transplanted into my Westy. The power steering is not only just quiet, it makes no noise at all. I reasoned that Subaru had tuned their stock hose to dampen the noise from their pump so this unmodified hose would be the best one to use to insure a quiet system. Using an extension hose to connect this to the Vanagon system would not affect the dampning of the noise from the pump. The original stock Subaru high-pressure power steering hose was used in its normal position with its original clamps to the cylinder head bracket. The flexible end of the hose was routed clockwise around under the throttle body, bending the steel tubing at the end a little to straighten the direction of the end fitting. This outlet end was connected, via an adapter, to a Russell Performance PowerFlex power steering -6AN hydraulic hose (33" long, one 180º end and one 90º end fitting). This -6AN hose was then connected, also via an adapter, to the steel Vanagon PS tube that extends forward to the PS rack. The AN hose was secured to the right side wall of the engine compartment (behind the relocated coolant expansion tank) with two stainless and rubber securing loops and the connection between the Subaru PS hose and the AN hose was secured to the engine with a single stainless and rubber loop to eliminate vibration. To connect the Subaru hose to the -6AN hose I used an aluminum Russell Performance #6 Male to 14mm x 1.5mm O-Ring Seal Power Steering adapter (available from Jegs as #799-648060 or from Summit Racing as RUS-648070). This is the correct O-ring adapter for connecting to the Subaru PS line. A similar adapter is also available in steel from Eaton Weatherhead as part number M41157x6x14 and can be ordered from your FLAPS (i.e. NAPA). The price from each is about $14. The Vanagon steel tubing end fitting is a DIN 7631 fitting so to connect the -6AN hose to the Vanagon line I used the correct adapter, a Boston Weatherhead 60º Metric reverse flare M16x1.5 adapter MC5207x6x10. This was available also from NAPA for $12. http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=WH_MC5207X6X10_0215610049 MC5207X6X10 MALE JIC X 60 METRIC TUBE SEAT 3/8 JIC TUBE TO 10MM O.D. TUBE http://www.jhf.com/TSItemDetail2.asp?CoNum=001&ItemNum=MC5207X6X10 These two adapter fittings may be in short supply since they are not high volume sellers. My local FLAPS said there were only one of the O-ring adapters and 30 of the DIN 7631 adapters in the country. Eaton also has an O-ring adapter to a female flare fitting that should work just as well but this would require a different hose end fitting (see catalog #1445 at http://www.geroler.com/products/pdfs/W-HYOV-MC002-E_FRP09_special_adapters.pdf) The hose I used was a Russell Performance PowerFlex power steering hose simply because it could be assembled with hand tools. From Jegs the end fittings were #799-620421 and 799-620401 and the hose was #799-632600. Be sure to lubricate the hose when installing the end fittings on the hose. The stainless steel braid on this hose can be abrasive to other hoses or wiring so I isolated it from touching the engine compartment walls or any of the components in the engine compartment with the rubber and stainless securing straps. Total cost was about $70. This has been entirely acceptable and was easy to install because the hose is reatively flexible compared to other hydraulic hoses. The PS system makes no noise at all that I can detect and does not leak. I hope this helps with the power steering whine. I'll put a picture in the files section in a few days. Ed Going with Russell Performance parts from Summit.... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Russell Performance POWERFLEX POWER STEERING HOSE ENDS WITH ENDURA FINISH POWER STEERING ADAPTERS PART # DESCRIPTION 648060 -6 to 16mm x 1.5 O-ring Sea $13.69 NOTE: One or the other depending on subaru ps pump size 648070 -6 to 14mm x 1.5 O-ring Seal $13.69 (2) of these STRAIGHT END AN-SIZE ENDURA PART # -6 620401 11.50 POWERFLEX POWER STEERING HOSE 632610 $31.88 POWERFLEX SPECIFICATIONS SIZE ACTUAL I.D. NOMINAL I.D. O.D. MAX PSI -6 11/32" 3/8" 7/16" 2500 31.95 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From Summit Racing: www.summitracing.com For Subaru to ps hose: (1) EAR-9894DBHERL Fitting, Power Fuel Injection Adapter, -6 AN Hose End to 14mm x 1.5 Female, Each $8.69 For VW to ps hose: (1) EAR-9894DBJERL Fitting, Power Fuel Injection Adapter, -6 AN Hose End to 16mm x 1.5 Female, Each $8.69 For Power Steering Hose Ends: (2) EAR-300106ERL Earl's Performance Auto-Fit Hose Ends Fitting, Hose End, Auto-Fit, Straight, -6 AN Hose to Female -6 AN, Aluminum, Red/ Blue, Each $5.88 For Power Steering Hose: EAR-130606ERL $38.39 Hose Size: -6 AN Length (ft): 6 Teflon Lined: No Outer Material: Braided nylon Hose Color: Blue Maximum Operating Pressure (psi): 2,250