The pressure line on my '88 rusted through in '96, as the van had seen a lot
of salt in Ontario with PO. I had a hydraulic shop make a new steel rear
section, but I also replaced the return line with 3000psi hose. Had I known
more, I would have done it all in hose to prevent further problems. However,
I don't drive much in the winter, so the new pipe seems fine after 14 years.
I would expect hydraulic hose to last a lot longer than 6 years - good
quality coolant hoses usually last far longer than that.

On Sat, Aug 21, 2010 at 7:32 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> hi,
> yeah, because metal is more durable than rubber.
> I imagine new rubber hoses in the kits sold will last pretty well though ..
> perhaps not 20 years like the pipes do ..
> but pretty well for say, at least 6 years, would be my guess.
>
> I have never seen any leaks in those junctions it the middle of the pipes.
> the 'problem' with them in my mind is they are not protected against
> corrosion well enough from the factory.
>
> in a dry environment, they don't wear or leak.
> In a corrosive environment ....they get pretty tired by 20 years.
>
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark" <mbrush@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:28 AM
> Subject: replacing power steering lines with hoses
>
>
>  Anyone have experience with replacing the metal power steering lines with
>> hoses?  Seems like a good option for three reasons: 1) No need to drop the
>> gas tank to do the work, 2) no need to worry about rusting lines again,
>> and
>> 3) it eliminates the junction in the middle of the metal lines -
>> eliminating
>> another potential spot for a leak to develop.  But there must have been
>> some
>> reason the vans with built with metal lines in the first place.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> --
>> Mark
>> 1990 Westy (2.1 - manual)
>>
>

--
Shawn Wright