Steering/PS Hoses and a gasket question

[Kip]

Did not see hose fab referenced anywhere else...

Have 2 325's, both have leaky racks and hoses. Have purchased seal kit, boot kit, etc. to rebuild one rack, trying to find a used rack, decent condition to rebuild in the $50 range. Will be guinea pig. Get it done, swap in, and cross fingers.

I did pull res on one, cleaned, reinstalled, new hose clamps on supply and return lines, eliminated 2 small leaks!

Waiting to redo racks...when I pull it, will be replacing oil pan gaskets.

So, onto questions...

1) Has anyone had hoses fabricated? Local hydraulic fitting shop should be able to make me new ones if I take in old ones...Same bends on hard parts, same or higher ratings on soft parts.

2) Dex III for PS fluid?(seen a thread say NEVER use fluid labeled "PS Fluid")

3) Best oil pan gasket? Dealership sold me a real thin cork one. Aftermarket one I got is rubber?

4) Use RTV or variant on pan?

5) Replace oil pump while I am in there?

Thanks

[rs4pro3]

1. Ya a shop can make new ones with your old fittings
2. Dex III or IV
3. Rubber
4. light layer of RTV/Silicone
5. How many miles on the pump?

[Kip]

1. Ya a shop can make new ones with your old fittings
2. Dex III or IV
3. Rubber
4. light layer of RTV/Silicone
5. How many miles on the pump?

1 - Is there cost advantage?
2 - OK
3 - FS, 1 cork gasket...
4 - O2 Sensor safe? Does it matter? (not a dumb question, air from sump will get sucked from engine into intake on that hose that is so fun to replace...)
5 - AFAIK, 158K on one, 230K on the other...Did I just answer my own question?

[rs4pro3]

I'm not sure if there would be a cost advantage or not as I've never replaced a hose with a brand new one. As for the silicone might as well go o2 safe. Just don't gob it on, I put a lot of silicone on my water pump when I replaced it and about 4 months latter a chunk worked it's way free and got jambed in the thermostat cuasing it to not open, luckily no damage was cuased.

[arsevader]

4) Use RTV or variant on pan?

Hylomar

[AdamF 88iS]

Paper gaskets are the best. Cork comes unbonded from itself and splits, rubber gets hard and shrinks due to the heat.

[RobertK]

A better alternative to using RTV is the Permatex tacking gasket spray. It's a red spray in a can. It works ten times better than any RTV sealant on the rubber/paper type gaskets.

BTW.. I've just been pouring ATF in my PS resevour is that safe?

[arsevader]

BTW.. I've just been pouring ATF in my PS resevour is that safe?

That's what you're supposed to use.

[RobertK]

Kewl.. just wanted to make sure.

[Simon S]

Sorry to budge in..

Just ordered 4qts of Redline D4 ATF for transmission and power steering fluid change.

wanting to double check:

Redline D4 ATF ok for PS ?

[rs4pro3]

Yes