power steering help

[Buddy]

Ok I always have a hard time explaining my problems but here it goes.
There are 2 lines that go into my power steering pump as you guys know, I know one is a high pressure line ( this is not the line in question) and the other I would think is a return line. My question is this, somebody before me jerry rig this line with a rubber line and a metal line etc. It is leaking everywhere. I am going to make a new line out of metal. When I took the line out of the power steering pump I noticed that it has a funky looking flared end. Is this some kind of special flare that has to be used. can I just replace this fitting with a normal one and flare it the same as I did all my brake lines or will it leak. Do I have to use that fitting?? Does  any body else have any ideas of what else i could do if thst wont work. ... I cant get over it evrytime i fix one leak I find another..... Oh well I think I only have one more after i get this oe fixed.
I should also note this is an 85 4x4 with a 305

[beastie_3]

That is how its supposed to be. a metal line from the steering box travels up and over the frame rail. then it meets up with a rubber line to the pump. the metal lines have a flare to seal the hose. Just try to replace the hose first and see how that turns out. No need to make a full metal line because you will still need rubber hose to hook up to the pump. all you need is about 1.5 feet of hose. Your parts store should have the metal line as well.

[Buddy]

I understand that is the way it is supposed to be, but the metal line at the pump side has been rigged up funky. Meaning when the metal line leaked years ago they replace that with another rubber line and try to attach the fitting to that rubber line and it always leaked. So I wanted to know if I start fresh and have a rubber line going to a metal line that guys to the pump can I use a normal flar on the metal line. The one that's on the pump know is one I never seen before. The oly kinf of flar end I can make is like the kind on a brake line. This one is way differenyt. I don't know if it has to be this way because of the pump or if that is just anither type of Flare?

[1979C20]

Picture of where its leaking?

[Buddy]

I cant take a picture of where it is leaking as i have already taken it apart, All I rally need to know is there a specail type of flare on the end of these lines, or can I just put a normal flare on the metal line going to the pump

[bake74]

     To answer your question, yes you need that flared, jic fitting on the end.  As beeastie said your auto parts store should have one and they are cheap, then just use rubber hose.

[beastie_3]

I just replaced all my hoses and lines and if i remember correctly, the return line coming off of the pump is fixed on the reservoir. What piece are you trying to flare? Take a pic please.

[bake74]

I just replaced all my hoses and lines and if i remember correctly, the return line coming off of the pump is fixed on the reservoir. What piece are you trying to flare? Take a pic please.

     My 77 k10 both came off the power steering pump, did they have differen't pumps on these trucks ?  I thought they were all the same.

[beastie_3]

Ill have to look again, but I thought there was a fixed piece of tubing, about 2-3 inches long and had a 180* bend in it and met up with the rubber hose.

[Buddy]

exactly, that is what i have a fixed steel line than a rubber hose. My question is on the fixed steel line.... is this a speacial flare on that line or can it just a normal flare

[bake74]

     I believe it is the same as a hydrylic jic fittings.

[Irish_Alley]

There where two different types of flares on the hoses depending on if it was I think pre or post 79. But the return I thought was just a cut to fit and you just use a hose clamp on the ends. also you would want a little flex in the line just cause the motor does move a little and the rubber line lets it move