Exploded Hydroboost line!!! Need help!

[mgb0302]

I finshed hooking up the Hydroboost sytem today and had a catastrophic blowout on the brand new summit racing hi pressure hose leading into the booster! The hose actually blew open- it didnt just come seperated.

I used a junk yard booster from a GMC Safari (same as Astro van). I hooked up the lines in the following manner. High pressure line from PS pump to passenger side of the booster (booster mounted right side up- accumulator on pass side), then high pressure line from booster to PS box (4x4x2 box). Low pressure lines from both booster and box were "T-ed" into single return on PS pump (will eventually upgade to a dual return but obviously this one was putting out significant pressure!!!). As soon as I pressed the brake pedal, the line from the pump to the booster exploded! Any help. Is there a way to test the booster? Prior to running it (during the bleeding process), I pulled the line from the booster to the PS box off to let air escape while I was turing the steering wheel (I figured since it was the highest point in the sytem, it is where the air would most likely gather).

My initial thought is that the booster was not allowing fluid to pass thru, and all the pressure built up in the hose leading from the pump to the booster.



Since originally posting this, I have gotten some good replies. Thanks. I identified the first issue was inproper hose. Will buy braided steel in the future.


I looked up remanufactered booster from autozone and they have Cardone ones for $140. Anyone ever used a remaned hydro?

I got one reply about the remaned Cardone pump- anyone else?
Please help!!!!

Mike
Ventura, CA

 

[78Scronco]

I used a re manufactured one from o'reilys. worked fine for me. I was having unknown trouble with my junkyard one and gave up with it. I still had issues wiith using a T in my setup as well, to much pressure, so I put in a accumulator and now everything works great.

Maybe there was to much air in your line??? not much help sorry.

 

[mgb0302]

What did you use for an accumulator? What is the purpose of an accumulator? I assume it is simply a small tank/ resevoir that would allow both return lines to fill and then once it is full, it would dump into the single return on the pump. Does that sound at all close?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Broncobowsher]

I am going to say bad line.
For the system to overpressurize would require a double simotanous failures. That is both the pressure relief valve in the pump to not open and the booster to take all the pressure off the pump and not bypass any of it. I don't see both happening at the same time and the pump was used and wasn't blowing up before. The line was new and I am taking a strong guess not pressure tested before installing. If you could turn the steering to full lock and the line didn't blow I don't see how the hydroboost could add any more pressure to the steering system. A steering box at full lock will max the pressure in the line and trip the relief valve in the pump.

Now if you blow a second line, we have other issues to deal with.

 

[broncnaz]

X2 on being a bad line. Might also want to double check that the hoses you got are rated for at least 2000 PSI. Most power steering pumps put out around 1000-1200 psi but can be as high as 1600 psi.

 

[mgb0302]

Well my fault for not double checking the hose I bought! I went on Summit and hit the link for hydraulic hose- I assumed it would be good enough. Anyway, the hose I bought is apparently only good to 250 psi. The only hose I saw good above 300 psi was stainless hose. I have seen rubber PS hose before but could not find any rated high enough.

Next question- just for my piece of mind- can I "crack" the outlet line at the booster (while the engine is running) to ensure fluid is passing through the booster?

Mike

 

[Oatmeal]

Well my fault for not double checking the hose I bought! I went on Summit and hit the link for hydraulic hose- I assumed it would be good enough. Anyway, the hose I bought is apparently only good to 250 psi. The only hose I saw good above 300 psi was stainless hose. I have seen rubber PS hose before but could not find any rated high enough.

Next question- just for my piece of mind- can I "crack" the outlet line at the booster (while the engine is running) to ensure fluid is passing through the booster?

Mike

When you say "outlet" line at the booster are you refering to the line between the booster and the steering box or the "return" line to the pump reservoir? If you're talking about the line between the booster and the box......NO! Don't even think about doing that as there's somewhere in the neighborhood of 1000-1200 psi at that fitting when the motor is running.....that could really get you hurt! Oh, and the fittings you have won't work with the required high pressure hose you'll now need (Russell Powerflex, for one) I bought my fittings and adapters from www.speedwaymotors.com because I wanted steel and they were less expensive. Good luck and be careful! ------Hans

 

[78Scronco]

What did you use for an accumulator? What is the purpose of an accumulator? I assume it is simply a small tank/ resevoir that would allow both return lines to fill and then once it is full, it would dump into the single return on the pump. Does that sound at all close?

Thanks,
Mike

exactly. The return line from the HB and the return line from the ps box both come into the accumulator, and 1 hose exits back into the pump.

 

[mgb0302]

70Scronco- where did you get your accumulator?

Oatmeal-

Thanks for the info. I never said what fittings I was using so just wondering why you think the fittings I have will not work. When I bought new hose, I also bought AN fittings from Summit racing (here is the link to the part- http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-220687/) which is what is on there now.

I will be buying new hose in the future- braided steel. Does anyone hae a good link to instructions for attaching fittings to steel hose? I know there are tips and tricks that make it easier, I just cant remember any of them.

Thanks again,
Mike
Ventura, CA

 

[Oatmeal]

70Scronco- where did you get your accumulator?

Oatmeal-

Thanks for the info. I never said what fittings I was using so just wondering why you think the fittings I have will not work. When I bought new hose, I also bought AN fittings from Summit racing (here is the link to the part- http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-220687/) which is what is on there now.

I will be buying new hose in the future- braided steel. Does anyone hae a good link to instructions for attaching fittings to steel hose? I know there are tips and tricks that make it easier, I just cant remember any of them.

Thanks again,
Mike
Ventura, CA

Because, just because it's braided stainless steel dosen't necessarily mean that it'll take the pressures that power steering/hydroboost systems operate at. It has to be rated for those pressures and they use very specific fittngs. The fittings that are used on the low pressure hose you apparently used won't work with the HP hose, such as Russell Powerflex hose like here: http://www.russellperformance.com/mc/brake_hoses/img/hose_assembly_lg.jpg ---------Hans

 

[Oatmeal]

At the top of this page:http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Produ... 7:35:20 PM=power+steering+hose+ends&deptId=0 are the fittings and hose that I used. Now, if you use the Aeroquip hose (the blue stuff) they use even different fittings. See what I'm getting at?----------Hans

 

[broncnaz]

Ditto on the fittings. Aluminum fittings are not a good choice with the pressure you will/could have. Also fittings need to be matched for the type of hose used as oatmeal pointed out so just because you have a fitting doesnt mean it will work. I'd get some prebuilt lines at least for the pressure side. Installing your own fittings is a little more involved than you think especailly when dealing with high pressure lines.
As for getting a rebuilt booster why bother you need to get hoses hooked up first and then see if there are any issues. no sense in buying more parts that are probably not needed.

 

[mgb0302]

Oatmeal- Thanks for the help. Got it. Not all fittings are created equal. Went with the summit ones thinking they were just cheaper versions. Should have called first. Anyway, will match fittings to hoses next. Unfortunately, money just got a bit tight so it may have to wait awhile!!!

Bronconaz- Thanks as well.

Mike