Power steering systems can generate hydraulic pressure spikes in use (in excess of the PS pump pressure relief settings), and we therefore suggest you look for hose ends and fittings that will provide a 2000+ PSI rating. Ratings less than this can be a weakness in any power steering system that can fail under hard punishment. Aluminum hose ends are not advised, along with hose that rates less than 2000 PSI. You overbuild everything to extreme duty ratings so that you can pound on your rides, right? Failures take the fun out of it, so don't skimp in this area. The Aeroquip TFE hose that we use in our systems is rated for 3000 PSI and 450+ degrees. Many alternate hose choices may meet the pressure criteria, though some barely rate for 250 degree operating temps. With a hard session out on the track, many underhood temps can get close to the rating on certain types of hose. Summary? Watch your specs on hose and hose ends when plumbing any type of PS system!
Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, and some want to work with a certain theme, or make the hoses less visible in their engine compartments. I have worked with so many customers over the years to find that they typically don't realize just how much they like the braided stainless / silver hose end look
until they see a car with one of our systems installed with the lines neatly plumbed. I have always felt that something so good looking should not be hidden... The symmetry of having two braided stainless hoses running to the hydraulic brake unit, with the vibratory polished separators, and silver hose ends is just "right". Having the third low pressure return line from the brake unit in black makes it "disappear", which helps to keep the visual balance right. When customers do the third line in matching SS braid, it also looks good, though seems to get more of a visual of being "hosey" in my opinion.
We have many ways to accomodate the black hose look, with the image below being the most popular:
This is our standard production line set using the Aeroquip TFE AN-6 components, though covered with simple 7/16 ID electrical convoluted nylon tubing. It provides a nice high tech look, is inexpensive, available most everywhere, and is super simple to install - ten minutes and you're done! Don't like it? Yank it back off in two minutes... We have also used the black flexible nylon woven braid covers with good results, with black heat shrink tube on the ends to keep the nylon overbraid from fraying out - it looks phenomenal when done cleanly, as the hoses interestingly look even smaller with the super thin woven black covers. Here is but one common place where you can get this stuff:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RFW-BS50/?rtype=10 (.500 diameter) The hose covers allow the highest rated and smallest TFE series hose to be used, yet still give you the black look you are after.
Here are the part numbers for the Aeroquip AQP hose in black. Do note that this class of hose is MUCH bulkier than the Aeroquip TFE Series. Hose outer diameter is almost as fat as your thumb at .68" and the hose ends take 7/8" wrench sizes = larger hose and fittings than some expect. By comparison, the hose OD on the TFE AN-6 is vastly smaller at 7/16"...
All of these items below can be ordered at the best prices at
www.aeroquip.cc You can order online or call and ask for Bryan Matheney.
HOSE: Aeroquip 1503-06
http://aeroquip.cc/1503-06aeroquipsi...ose1503-6.aspx Pricing is about $ 5 a foot
90 degree female AN-6 hose end:
http://aeroquip.cc/fbm1389-fcm1389.aspx
45 degree female AN-6 hose end:
http://aeroquip.cc/fbm1386-fcm1386.aspx
Straight female AN-6 hose end:
http://aeroquip.cc/fbm1302-fcm1302.aspx
90 degree 3/8 male flare 5/8-18 thread:
http://aeroquip.cc/fbm1392-fcm1392.aspx (PS pump high pressure output)
45 degree 3/8 male flare 5/8-18 thread:
http://aeroquip.cc/fbm1382-fcm1382.aspx (PS pump high pressure output)
Straight 3/8 male flare 5/8-18 thread:
http://aeroquip.cc/fbm1363-fcm1363.aspx
These separators in silver would look good:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EAR-167211ERL/ (.68" inner diameter) (too bad Earl's doesn't have them in black)