Hi Alan,

On my 90 Westy both steel lines were badly corroded and the PS fluid
was a brown muck.  It amazed me the stuff actually pushed the PS rack.
Anyway, the worst part of the job is simply removing the old lines.  I
needed a torch at the rack to be able to heat up the old connection to
allow it to turn off.  I found the engine end much easier.

I bought a return low pressure hose from a local hydraulic shop.
Costs about $40.  There is no need for any special ends for the return
line.  I just used adjustable clamps.

I bought Frank's hose off eBay when he was auctioning them off.  It is
very good quality, the exact length, and the ends are a perfect fit to
the Vanagon PS rack and the PS pump short feed pipe.

I ran both the feed pipe and return line at the same time and held
them in position with plastic ties.  Running these hoses is the
easiest part of the job.  I can't imagine why anyone would opt for
using steel pipes again.  It must be a real PITA to run them under the
van.

Hope this helps.

- Laurence

----------------------------------------
Laurence Smith
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
90 Westy (fanumbos)
87 GL / 91 Subie 2.2
----------------------------------------

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List
> [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Alan Pickersgill
> Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 9:56 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Power Steering Hoses - Condelli
>
>
> My 85 Transporter/Westfalia is in need of new power steering hoses.
> A frequent contributor to the Vanagon list, Frank Condelli
> , has a solution  described and shown at
> http://fcondelli.tripod.com/hosepics.htm  - parts $187USD /
> $250 Canadian.
>
> I haven't checked the prices of the original VW equipment
> but I understand from stories I"ve heard that they are very
> expensive and quite difficult to install because they are
> solid rather than flexible hose used by Condelli.
>
> Has anyone on the list tried the Condelli solution and able
> to comment on the parts and the ease/difficulty of installing?
> Any other alternatives as good or better?
> Is there any reason to stick with original equipment or is
> original equipment something you want to get away from in this case.
> I'm tempted to buy these because Condelli is located in a
> town near Ottawa and it would be easy. However I want to be
> sure this is a good alternative before I make a decision.
>
> Advice would be appreciated by personal mail.
>
> Alan Pickersgill
> 85 Transporter converted to Westfalia
> Ottawa Ontario
> Canada