What You Need To Know When Buying Hydraulic Hoses For Your Car Or Truck
Any vehicle on the road with power steering and modern hydraulic brakes uses several different hydraulic hoses in those two systems. If you need to replace the hoses, there are some things you need to know to ensure you get the right parts that will fit your vehicle correctly.
Hose Size And Fittings
If you need a new hydraulic hose for your vehicle's brakes or power steering system, there are a couple of essential things that you should check before buying a replacement. If you can take the hose off the vehicle before you head to the parts store, it will help, but if you can't, take some photos of the hydraulic hose to compare to the new one.
The fittings on the end of the hoses are critical, and if they have a specific bend or angle to them, the new ones must match. Sometimes a part is listed as fitting, but the ends are slightly different, and bending them after they are on the vehicle is risky because they could kink or break.
If the ends on the new hydraulic hoses look different than your original hose, it might be worth looking at a different brand hose to see if they are the same. Auto parts stores often have several price tiers of parts, and the lower tiers are sometimes designed to fit several cars, so you may need to get to the mid-range or even top brand to get the part that will work as the original equipment part did.
If you can't find the part that looks correct, you can check with other parts stores or the dealer to see if the part they offer is the same or is more like your OE (original equipment) part.
Material Quality
Take the hydraulic hoses you are purchasing out of the box, then come in and examine the rubber hose carefully. If it feels thin and is more like plastic than rubber, the outer jacket may be thin, and the hose will not last as long as the OE hose.
Check the ends of the hydraulic hoses where they meet the rubber for any signs of gaps, cracks, or separation. It is critical that the end of the hose is well seated and sealed into the fitting, or it could come loose under pressure.
It is also vital that any hydraulic hoses with banjo fittings or blocks that the bolts pass through have brass washers with them. The washers are used to create a seal when the hose is installed, and if you put the hose on without them, they will leak.
While these may seem like minor things, you are paying for a complete part, so making sure everything is as it should be is vital before you leave the store.
