Blew power steering return hose

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briwill70

briwill70

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After rebuilding the transmission, brakes and front suspension, I finally got my 65 dart back on the road this weekend. Power steering was working intermittently and fluid was foaming but not making any noises. Was about 15 miles down the road when the steering started to bind up. I pulled over and right as I did, the PS return hose blew (loudly) Both hoses were new. How did so much pressure build up in the return line? What is the issue here?
 
Something had to have plugged it. There should be NOTHING to build pressure between hose and pump. Either that or it got kinked somehow. I'd also suspect the hose is rotten/ liner collapsed
 
67Dart273 said:
Something had to have plugged it. There should be NOTHING to build pressure between hose and pump. Either that or it got kinked somehow. I'd also suspect the hose is rotten/ liner collapsed
Click to expand...

That is why I'm so confused. Hose was new. Not kinked. Nothing plugging the return to the pump.

The pump has been leaking from the cap when the fluid is foaming. Excessive pressure from the foaming?
 
Foaming is usually from a bad pump seal.
Did you use power steering return hose or something else?
Fuel line wont handle it.
Transmission cooler hose is iffy too. Ps return line is pretty tough,compared to regular gas line.
 
Trans hose should handle that there should be almost no pressure there. "I suppose" there could have a bunch of air that got hot and expanded if you didn't get it out of there. Foaming when partly empty or refilling is common, they can make a mess. I've done stuff like fill it, start for a few seconds, let it sit. It will burp. Try again. After a few tries it usually stabilizes some, work the wheel back and forth slow to bleed
 
I read some other forums where people had similar issues. Looks like the pump may be leaking pressure into the reservoir and needs to be rebuilt.
 
Foaming is a definite sign there is air getting into the system somewhere.
 
Hmmmmm that's a toughy.
I might bet that you got a Federal pump, which I would asap remove and drive over it with an asphalt packer. You know, I studied that Federal, and it looks like a great design, but I just never had any luck with those.
Got me a Saginaw, and that was the end of my troubles.
I'll guess your relief valve stuck.
 
Well I removed the pump and discovered a screen filter down in the return inlet on the pump. Totally blocked from what I can tell. I removed it and cleaned it with carb cleaner and still can't blow air through it. Put the pump back on the car without filter and it's making terrible noises now so will seek out a new pump or try to rebuild. Looks like a Federal pump but return line is huge. Heater hose size Not fuel line size. Same size out of steering box.
 
Pics

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Well, no luck finding a replacement pump or even a rebuild kit. Any suggestions? Sucks that after so much effort, this is what's keeping me from driving the car.
 
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