Power Steering Hose question

[mmklaxer]

I'm including a power steering cooler on the return line as many here have recommended. The unit I purchased from Forte is roughly a 5"x5" square, and I plan to mount it on the PS F panel. The supplied PS hoses from FFR reach from the rack to the F panel (though I had to mount the straight end on the rack due to the hard lines). Then I plan to run a short hose from the cooler to the KRC reservoir on the Coyote.

QUestion 1: Hose. I have 3/8" braided stainless PTFE hose leftover from the fuel system. Can i use that for power steering? I'm getting mixed reviews about the PTFE standing up to the PS fluid. Google "can i use PTFE fuel hose for power steering" and you get a bunch of different answers... The concern is power steering pressure and whether the hose will hold up

Question 2: if I have to use a special power steering hose, will a regular PTFE fitting work? The power steering hoses I found appear to be a similar construct of braided stainless around a core plastic hose material.

Question 3: if NO to the above, who makes a good product? I used fragola for my fuel lines based ona bunch of reviews here, but now I'm seeing their quality may have degraded over time. Anyone else make a quality product in 2023?

[mmklaxer]

I'm leaning towards this: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaf-all48260

[edwardb]

Yes, you can use braided stainless PTFE hose for the power steering. For my last two builds, I bought the components from Breeze. He sells the exact fittings and length of hose you need. My Coupe has (6) 06AN Female 90 Degree Swivel Hose End, (7) feet Hose, 06AN Braided Stainless, High Pressure Teflon. Includes what I needed for the Derale Compact Fluid Cooler 13310 I have in the circuit. Starting its fourth driving system and has been flawless. For SS braided hose and fittings, I've only been using Aeroquip parts. I find their parts to be consistently high quality. That's what Mark provides BTW.

[JohnK]

Aeroquip makes several different teflon braided hoses. For my fuel system I used Aeroquip Teflon race hose (P/N FCC0615). Aeroquip also makes an high pressure hose, which is what Breeze sells for power steering hose. I wouldn't recommend using Aeroquip Teflon race hose for power steering. More generally, I would be cautious about using a PTFE hose intended for fuel systems as a power steering hose unless you verify that the the hose and fittings are rated for that pressure and fluid.

The "easy button" answer is to call Mark at Breeze and he'll set you up with the correct hose and fittings.

[Alan_C]

Another option is Russell PowerFlex hose and fittings. Designed for up to 2500 psi. I have used them on two builds now. Good stuff and a bit less expensive than the Aeroquip product. Likely that Summit sells something appropriate too as they just rebrand someone else's product.

https://www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/an-hose/ptfe-lined/yes?N=brand%3Arussell-performance%2Bhose-size%3Aminus-6-an

[Bob Cowan]

Like everything else, the answer is Yes, and No. :)

Not all PTFE hose is created equal. They will all stand up to P/S fluid, so that's not much of an issue. But hydraulic pressure can be over 1,000 psi when working hard. Standard fuel hose is not rated for pressures that high. You need to use a hose specifically designed for pressure - either dedicated P/S hose or brake hose.

[mmklaxer]

Thanks all. Very helpful.