Using -AN fittings and SS PTFE hose for Power Steering

[OldTimer]

Gathering components for my power steering hoses, high pressure and returns. My Steering box is a '96 Jeep Grand Cherokee, so I'm going to use LEE 16mm and 18mm adapters that both terminate in -6AN male. For those who have used -AN plumbing for their lines, did you use swivel 90's coming out of the box or did you just clock and lock? And if you used -AN what brand and why? I prefer black anodized for the hose ends and elbows but black SS hose is simply painted and the paint comes off fairly easily. The reservoir tank is a Billet Specialties with -6AN and -10AN fittings and I've got to put 90° fittings on the bottom rather than kink the hoses from the core support mounting spot.

Honestly the only line I'm really concerned about is the high pressure line going from the -6AN on the GM Type II pump back to the steering box. While the hoses have a certain amount of flex in them, I wasn't sure whether swiller fittings are necessary. Pix if you have any are always appreciated (pix=1000 words LOL).

Mike

[ilikeike]

I used Earls power steering hose ends,and hose. I just clocked where I wanted them.

I used some insulation where it runs near the header.

https://www.holley.com/products/plumbing_an_fittings_and_hose/hose_ends/power_steering/parts/139106ERL

[anguilla1980]

I used the Earl's PS black AN fittings and their black PS hose. Had to clock them.

I can't stand silver unless it's on a hot rod. Thankfully mine doesn't run near my headers.

[OldTimer]

I ordered the 16mm and 18mm adapters from LEE Power Steering. They are aluminum. Can you not use aluminum hose ends on power steering high pressure line? I ordered PTFE hose and aluminum ends from FORE Innovations, just curious why LEE uses aluminum for the adapters?

[transam73]

I never seen an aluminum fitting being used for power steering as it is a high pressure system.

[anguilla1980]

To be clear, you need steel or SS fittings only the HIGH-pressure side, NOT the LOW-pressure side. I can assure you that whatever aluminum fittings you have, they are only intended for use on the LOW-pressure side of the system.

TurnOne provided me with SS fittings for both the high and low pressure connections on their steering box just as I have SS fittings for ALL of the connections on my hydroboost. As stated, I used Earl's PS fittings on the high side (which are steel) and Earl's PS line. For the low, I used Mr Gasket aluminum fittings and Mr Gasket braided hose on the low. The fittings welded to the remote reservoir are of course aluminum too.

[Motobrewmaster]

I used Fragola steel fittings on my high pressure side and and Fragola al on the low pressure side. The hose was also sec'ed Fragola power steering to handle the pressures seen in bump conditions. No problems and everything works just fine.http://fragolaperformancesystems.com

[Sbeck09]

I used the blue colored Earl's hose and fittings specifically for power steering. I only needed it for my high pressure line. the rest of the plumbing for that system is just standard SS AN braided hose and fittings.

[OldTimer]

This may sound like a dumb question... but are all -AN PTFE major brand hoses made to a specific standard? Reason I ask is that if I want to use brand X hose for my return and supply from reservoir lines do I need Brand X fittings or will any -6AN or -10AN PTFE hose be OK? Second dumb question; of course I understand that the high pressure hose has to be high pressure rated for PS, but what about the low pressure lines? Do they have to be "power steering spec" for high pressure even though they are simple return lines?

Probably gonna use EARL's black steel -6AN fittings and hose on the HP side, thinking I could use Brand X aluminum -AN6 coming out of the box and connecting to the reservoir. Likewise, the feed to the PS pump is low pressure so I could use aluminum there as well on the -10AN... right?

[Sbeck09]

This may sound like a dumb question... but are all -AN PTFE major brand hoses made to a specific standard? Reason I ask is that if I want to use brand X hose for my return and supply from reservoir lines do I need Brand X fittings or will any -6AN or -10AN PTFE hose be OK?

From what I have seen and heard, not a good idea.The thickness of both the hose itself as well as the outer braid can vary and that tolerance being within a very specific range is what allows these screw together fittings work so well. Sure you could play with finding out what brand works with what other brands, but it's smarter to just pick a brand and stick with it. Like I hate how much the fittings for Earl's Ultra Pro costs, but that hose and fitting combo works so damn well for most of what I do that it has been super easy to trust everything is happy together.

[anguilla1980]

Agreed, I wouldn't mix and match. I use Earl's fittings with Earl's hose and I use Mr Gasket fittings with Mr Gasket hose.

If you go to Holley's site, it's easier to see which of their fittings can work with each of their hoses. You can mix and match them just a but. But I'd stay all within 1 company for everything to ensure absolute compatibility.

Also, keep in mind there can be PTFE SS braided and nylon hoses which are not at all compatible. So a PTFE fitting won't work on ALL PTFE hoses.

[OldTimer]

I used Fragola steel fittings on my high pressure side and and Fragola al on the low pressure side. The hose was also sec'ed Fragola power steering to handle the pressures seen in bump conditions. No problems and everything works just fine.http://fragolaperformancesystems.com

Since they're semi-local, (an hour away) I called Fragola and asked them the proverbial question: What fittings for the high pressure Power Steering line? He told me that Fragola aluminum P/S fittings are designed/tested/spec'd at 3000 psi, typically pumps are rated for 1200 psi for regular steering and dropped to 800 psi for rack & pinion setups. The tech guy said that they've sold aluminum P/S fittings for years and have never had any issues. What he did say is that you must use the specified -AN hose to ensure a solid fit. Here's their spec sheet for PS Fittings:

178932

He also noted that 99% of all their fittings are made in house down in Connecticut, or made to spec by US suppliers usually for some stainless steel fittings. He did agree that the low pressure side is not as critical, but suggested that I use fittings and hoses from the same source. So I sent them an email later with a list of parts to get some confirmation of our discussion, and if all looks good, I'll go with Fragola. Interesting in that the Aluminum P/S part like a 45 Degree -6AN fitting (P/N 254606) is more than twice the price of the identical steel part (P/N 254506).

Mike

[Motobrewmaster]

The steel fittings are WAY easier to use. I felt much more comfortable getting the steel fittings properly compressed on the PS hose than the Aluminum fittings. Thus I used the steel for the high pressure side and the Al for the low pressure side. And yes I like to support US and even better New England companies like Fragola.

[anguilla1980]

Yeah I never would have felt comfortable cranking down on an aluminum fitting like I needed to do on the steel to make it fit into the high pressure hydrualic hose even with the Earl's lube.

[OldTimer]

I wound up ordering all the Earl's fittings and hoses direct from Holley. Everything should arrive shortly and I can get going with putting together the hoses, finish that task. Still have to mount the reservoir tank which will be a PITA because of the RS headlights and the Billet Specialties tank clamp. Might fab up a bracket to mount on the core support so messing with it would be easier. Or... use a different mount.

Mike

[anguilla1980]

I put mine on the radiator support right on the driver's side of the radiator, my coolant overflow is exactly opposite so it balances it out visually. I have my PS cooler mounted on the inside of the lower valance so it has direct airflow, isn't in front of the condensor/radiator, and it makes the lines an easy shot to the reservoir. My PS filter is behind my washer fluid bottle, which on the Firebird is on the core support between the PS reservoir and the fender. It all packages perfectly.

My only downside is that I have to swing the core support to fender brace out of the way to take the lid of the PS reservoir.

[Tsaints1115]

I found AN banjo fittings made by Unisteer. They screw into the box and you can AN from there. I also used on on the back of the pump. The low height of the banjo gives extra clearance.

[badazz81z28]

I used Fragola steel fittings on my high pressure side and and Fragola al on the low pressure side. The hose was also sec'ed Fragola power steering to handle the pressures seen in bump conditions. No problems and everything works just fine.http://fragolaperformancesystems.com


Is that an excessive amount of threads still showing on the black fitting??

[1320str8liner]

I put mine on the radiator support right on the driver's side of the radiator, my coolant overflow is exactly opposite so it balances it out visually. I have my PS cooler mounted on the inside of the lower valance so it has direct airflow, isn't in front of the condensor/radiator, and it makes the lines an easy shot to the reservoir. My PS filter is behind my washer fluid bottle, which on the Firebird is on the core support between the PS reservoir and the fender. It all packages perfectly.

My only downside is that I have to swing the core support to fender brace out of the way to take the lid of the PS reservoir.


Any pictures of this? I'm looking to do a remote reservoir setup when I switch to the hydra boost brake setup

[anguilla1980]

Any pictures of this? I'm looking to do a remote reservoir setup when I switch to the hydra boost brake setup

Here are a couple I just took for you...

.181130181131

[1320str8liner]

Here are a couple I just took for you...

.181130181131

Thank you, so much... what would you change or do differently if you were to do it again?

[anguilla1980]

Nothing. It's the perfect spot. I only plan on making some additional cosmetic changes. I've been really happy with the setup.

[1320str8liner]

Awesome, thanks again... Do you have a lee's steering box or just running the reservoir? If you are running the steering box, can you comment on which ratio you have and your thoughts on the system

[anguilla1980]

Awesome, thanks again... Do you have a lee's steering box or just running the reservoir? If you are running the steering box, can you comment on which ratio you have and your thoughts on the system

I have a TurnOne SB2 600 series box that's 10:1 with the 235 (aka 35lb) t-bar I'm running with the Lee pump kit. I like the 235 t-bar for road racing but a 225 would be more appropriate for auto-x.

[1320str8liner]

I have a TurnOne SB2 600 series box that's 10:1 with the 235 (aka 35lb) t-bar I'm running with the Lee pump kit. I like the 235 t-bar for road racing but a 225 would be more appropriate for auto-x.


Why 10:1 over 12:1 with the same 225 or 235? I see a lot of people upgrade, but stay with the 12:1. There also seems to be a significant price difference between the two

[anguilla1980]

Just personal preference and what you are going to do with the car plus how it's set up. To me, 12:1 was not enough of an improvement.

[1320str8liner]

Just personal preference and what you are going to do with the car plus how it's set up. To me, 12:1 was not enough of an improvement.

Are you street or track use? I have a 72 Chevelle (will be mostly street performance and auto-x track on a few weekends here and there) and I'm wanting to go with a hydratech hydra boost system and gearbox upgrade at the same time.

I have heard of LEE's and I watched a video about the 9:1 that he offers which is probably close to the 10:1 you are running. In the video the guy seemed to really like the 9:1, but it would not be first choice for a mostly street car