1979 PW Steering Return Hose

[Schanen C.]

Hi All,

What for a PW Steering Return Hose Style is Correct for 79 ???

I have found 3 Styles over the Time.

Photo #2 is Mine the other 2 are NOS.

Thanks

Rgds.

Carlo

[Patrick N.]

Re: 1979 PW Steering Return Hose

The first 2 are single crimp pre-DOT regulation for double crimp hose connections. I am not sure when the double crimp was required but I would have to believe prior to 79?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1979 PW Steering Return Hose

Carlo, I would take the original return hose and clean it up with a wire wheel and put some satin clear paint over the pipe and crimp to protect, And re-use if possible. I don't think you will find a correct crimped hose. the plating is wrong on the other NOS hoses along with the crimps.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1979 PW Steering Return Hose

This is a scan of the Saginaw return line hose assembly. Saginaw started supplying pressure and return line hoses for the Corvette starting in 1970. I'm sorry but I don't have information before that time. I also have a note that indicates that the return line hose was not supplied by Saginaw after the 1977 model year. I assume that Chevrolet sourced the return line at a company with a lower selling price.

So this hose assembly drawing shows the Saginaw crimp collar with a flat crimp holding the hose to the return pipe. This would be correct from 1970 through 1977. Before and after that time, the pipe bends would have remained the same but the method of holding the hose to the pipe is unknown to me but is probably the
type(s) shown in your attachment. This is the same hose assembly for both the small and big blocks.
Jim

[Schanen C.]

Re: 1979 PW Steering Return Hose

Thanks Guys for these Very good Informations

I think that my hose is My Original Hose,i try to Clean up it well and reuse them again.

Like Edward says with wire wheel and after Clear coated.

Thanks again.

Carlo

[Jim S.]

Re: 1979 PW Steering Return Hose

I failed to mention, the crimp collar was black zinc plated.

I was the supervisor of the power steering hose group from 1970 through 1983. I do not recall any mandate by DOT requiring double crimps. (Particularly on low pressure return line hose assemblies.) Most car assembly plants assembled their own return line assemblies and used a one ear clamp or a spring clamp. Corvette was the only one that we assembled and crimped.


With respect to the Department of Transportation: Hydroboost was being used on several models of GM cars and trucks. I do recall flying to Washington DC and meeting with Woody Driver (a high level department head). We had two lawyers, an engineer from Inland, some other GM people stationed in Washington and myself. We were needed to explain to DOT that a power steering hose that supplied the hydroboost unit was not a brake hose. They were trying to dictate that hoses supplying pressure to the hydroboost had to meet DOT brake hose requirements. I had a couple cutaway engineering demonstration samples of a power steering hose assemblies. The Inland engineer had some brake hose assemblies. Without those samples the Department head would have never understood that there are very basic differences between the two (let alone the differences between power steering fluid and brake fluid!!!) The subject was finally dropped and DOT went on to other things.