[Seeking advice] Power steering port fittings don't look right...

[facultyofmusic]

Tried installing the power steering lines and fittings today and something looks really wrong. Would really appreciate some advice. The rack I got is the power steering rack from FFR. AFAIK it's just the standard mustang rack. I purchased fittings from breeze which are fittings with o-rings on them.
167533

I also got dowty washers in case the rack did not have a chamfered port. From the look of the port it didn't seem to have the chamfer, so I used the dowty washers. However, the area around the port has a raised edge, causing the washer to be crushed in.
167534 167535 167536

This obviously did not look correct to me. I thought perhaps there is a chamfer and I just didn't feel it? So I tried installing the fittings without the dowty washers, torque'd it to spec of 20ft-lb, and now the washers look like the are being squeezed out... especially the top (return) one.
167537

Just to check, I took a look at the fittings provided by FFR and it looked pretty much the same as the fittings above except in place of the o-ring is a ring of white hard plastic material. I've personally never seen one of these before...
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I don't think anything I did through this whole process looked right to me. What am I doing wrong?

[edwardb]

Not sure of the thinking behind the added washers. I've only used the fittings from Mark at Breeze. Don't add anything. As several advised to me before installing them for the first time: Make sure there are no sharp points on the threads in the PS rack. Run your finger in there make sure they're smooth. Use a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth to smooth if necessary. Then put the fitting with the O-ring in and tighten only enough to compress the O-ring. Don't mash it down or it can expand out or get cut. I know given the pressures it may seem counterintuitive. But it works. Have used those fittings on three builds with no leaks. I haven't used the FF ones. That white plastic seal looks like it would withstand higher torque during installation. I wouldn't be afraid to use it. But again without adding anything and only as tight as necessary to prevent leaks.

[David Williamson]

The white plastic is teflon and that is what I used on my Coupe, others have used the "O" rings and they also work.
You are not doing anything wrong.
David W

[ggunter]

Usually if there is an O ring, the female fitting it goes into will be under cut with a 45 degree chamfer and the male fitting will have a flat washer which will capture the O ring and force it into the chamfer to make it seal. Or the male fitting will have a nut made on to the fitting that will tighten separately to squeeze the O ring and make the seal. The teflon seals do the same thing but use the flange of the fitting to compress into the chamfer. I couldn't tell by your pic if the rack was undercut to accept and O ring style seal. But I assume it is because the bottom of the hole is flat indicating a straight thread fitting.

[facultyofmusic]

Not sure of the thinking behind the added washers. I've only used the fittings from Mark at Breeze. Don't add anything. As several advised to me before installing them for the first time: Make sure there are no sharp points on the threads in the PS rack. Run your finger in there make sure they're smooth. Use a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth to smooth if necessary. Then put the fitting with the O-ring in and tighten only enough to compress the O-ring. Don't mash it down or it can expand out or get cut. I know given the pressures it may seem counterintuitive. But it works. Have used those fittings on three builds with no leaks. I haven't used the FF ones. That white plastic seal looks like it would withstand higher torque during installation. I wouldn't be afraid to use it. But again without adding anything and only as tight as necessary to prevent leaks.

The washers were included with what I received from breeze. The instructions stated to use them if there's no chamfer. I think I just didn't know how much of a chamfer I should be looking for.

[edwardb]

The washers were included with what I received from breeze. The instructions stated to use them if there's no chamfer. I think I just didn't know how much of a chamfer I should be looking for.

I've used the fittings from Breeze a few times and never received those washers. So thought they were something you added. Sorry for the misunderstanding. In looking at your PS rack, those connections look just like the ones I've done with a small chamfer. So nothing other than the fitting and the O-ring (or white teflon) should be needed. With just a light hand on the torque as I mentioned before. I vaguely recall Mark sent instructions that said that too. When you get to your first start, if they happen to leak (mine never did...) you could tighten them slightly which should be enough. Mainly the concern is not overtightening them.

[rich grsc]

Be sure to put a drop or two of oil on the o-ring before installing, and don't over tighten