Power steering hose failure

898buttonwood

2008 Rinker 320 Express Cruiser. Power steering hose at the quick release connection has failed twice, any Idea why its happening?

aero3113

Someone just posted this a couple of weeks ago also. I can’t remember who.

YYZRC

@LaRea

Pat310

https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/11633/how-much-power-steering-fluid-do-i-need#latest

LaRea

Yes, I replaced mine in March 2019 because of a slow-drip leak, and the replacement failed last weekend (hose pulled out of the fitting).  Both hoses were sold and labeled as genuine OEM parts, and both failed at the quick-release fitting on the high-pressure side.  

@898buttonwood I hope nothing bad happened when it failed.  

LaRea

But, regarding your question, I have no idea why they failed.  

898buttonwood

Thank you for the insite

aero3113

I have a line leaking at the opposite end of the quick disconnect at the swage. Cheapest I could find 🙄

Ian

https://www.boatid.com/quicksilver/quick-connect-steering-hose-mpn-32-8m0063020.html $107

aero3113

Thanks @icoultha , I got free shipping so would probably end up being around the same.

GMSLITHO

Been there thats a nasty mess to clean up 

JimGuy341

@aero3113 This is my current situation.  Same for you?

aero3113

Exactly @JimGuy341 !!

Ian

Worst part is when it’s on the engine that doesn’t do the steering, you have to replace a part that basically does nothing but provide a failure point. When mine went on the port engine and caused the pump to fail also I looked into replacing with an idler arm instead but couldn’t find one.

YYZRC

icoultha said:

Worst part is when it’s on the engine that doesn’t do the steering, you have to replace a part that basically does nothing but provide a failure point. When mine went on the port engine and caused the pump to fail also I looked into replacing with an idler arm instead but couldn’t find one.

Someone on here just used a shorter belt and skipped the power steering pulley. 

aero3113

I received the new hose today and will hopefully be replacing it tomorrow. Any tips? I’m assuming I will lose all of the fluid out of the pump when I remove the fitting on the pump side? Or is there some type of check valve that will stop the fluid from coming out?

Ian

Try taping over the reservoir spout to limit gravity feed, unscrew hose most of the way and swap quickly. Old bedsheet stuffed under will limit bilge mess.

aero3113

There’s an O ring on the line at the fitting side, should I use some sealant on the threads of the fitting?

Handymans342

No

JimGuy341

@aero3113 let us know how the replacement goes.  I'm ordering a new hose today.

davidbrooks

Did you guys ever look into just using generic PS hoses?  Seems like that would of been an option.  I am at the point where i need to do this as well.

aero3113

The install went fairly easy today. I was able to use a small container under the pump to catch the oil that came out. I recommend to find the best way the hose will route and lay before you go to install it. Once you route it, finger tighten the hose fitting to the pump first, then connect the quick disconnect. Once both ends are attached, tighten the hose fitting.

JimGuy341

@aero3113 When you refilled the pump, did you have to bleed any trapped air in the new line?

aero3113

@JimGuy341 , no I didn’t. I noticed that the line filled up with fluid before I attached the quick disconnect. All was good after that.

Liberty44140

Aero - is that cracked 3/4" hard wall intake hose for your generator? I just replaced intake hoses for both my AC and Generator with the same hose. Ebay had new stock at a good price! I've seen those hoses that are cracked start to bleed/tear water through cracks like that.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/322511049971

aero3113

@Liberty44140 , nice looking out! I’ll have to look at the hose next time I’m at the boat. 

LaRea

So, I replaced my steering hose in 2019, and again last July.  Well, it failed again today, after only 13 months and 100 hours.  Same failure -- the hose pulled out of the fitting at the steering actuator.  

And of course, I had guests on the boat including some non-boaters.  And now, once again, I have a huge mess in my nice shiny engine room.  At least we were almost home when it happened.  

LaRea

It begs the question: why three hose failures in three years?  All were OEM hoses, and all failed at the fitting where the high-pressure hose attaches to the steering ram.  The first in 2019 was a slow leak.  In 2020 and 2021, the hose blew out of the fitting while cruising at 30+ mph.  

Pat310

Maybe pump pushing out too much pressure?  Not sure how you would check. Maybe try to switch pump from other engine?

davidbrooks

Did you ever replace the pump? Pressure is controlled by one small part. You don't have to change out the whole pump.

LaRea

I swapped the pumps earlier this year when trying to sort out a different issue.