[s-cars] Hydraulic "J" hose leaking

Thu Jun 21 14:17:33 EDT 2007

Azeem,

As stated in my previous email I too have a steering vibration/noise/bump under load. This only started happening after I replaced my pump, flushed and refilled with new oil. As far as I know the restricter in my J-hose is still there and/or is not related to the vibration because it did not exist before and I did not do anything to the J hose other than disconnect and reconnect + flush.  The vibration is similar to what is described in Bentley about the steering preload adjustment. It sounds and feels like a spring is being let go in the steering system (rebound shock) when I turn about 1/4 in each direction from straight ahead. This happens most noticeably at very low speeds. Have not noticed whether it happens at high speeds (due partly to shorter turn distance needed?). I have not had time to lift the front end and check for the noise when steering is not loaded with vehicle weight.

At the same time of the pump replacement and thus the vibration shock noise I also completely removed each strut assembly to have new bearings pressed in. I first assumed the noise was due to a failed suspension part (strut cap bearing, etc) which is highly possible given the condition of my likely O.E. suspension (139k mi). I think now this might be a problem related to the steering rack itself (preload adjustment out of whack, etc.) and/or the pressure coming to it, or lack there-of that is (restricted J hose?).

I do not have any groaning noise accompanied by this vibration/shock. It is just the noise of the vibration which sounds like a large spring slipping or being released.

Aaron Ryba
95 S6

---------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:58:16 -0400
From: "Abe Berman" <yellowcuda at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [s-cars] S-CAR-List Digest, Vol 44, Issue 42
To: "Azeem Elahi" <azeem.elahi at gmail.com>
Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
Message-ID:
    <a8137d140706210958x67dbca9bl9633bc527ea1dc39 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Azeem, there is a restrictor in the j-hose from the factory that acts
as a noise dampener, if it was rebuilt and that was taken out, you got
the groans...  I don't know of any way to tell whether its in there or
not.

a

On 6/21/07, Azeem Elahi <azeem.elahi at gmail.com> wrote:
> Abe,
>    You mentioned groaning steering and it's something I've experienced with
> my new to me '95 S6.  Under load, turning right or left, I'll get a loud
> vibration through to the steering wheel.  With the car on jacks, the
> vibration/groaning disappears.  Is this something that can be fixed with a
> replaced J hose?
> -Azeem
>
>
>
> On 6/21/07, s-car-list-request at audifans.com <s-car-list-request at audifans.com
> > wrote:
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:36:46 -0400
> > From: "Abe Berman" < yellowcuda at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [s-cars] Hydraulic "J" hose leaking
> > To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> > Cc: Keith Franchetti < skidfranc at gmail.com>
> > Message-ID:
> >
> <a8137d140706210736h4ef543e8ob5fe5b66582dcbcd at mail.gmail.com
> >
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> >
> > Paul,
> >
> > There must be something going around in VT, I just blew my J-Hose this
> > week as well.  Posto recommended www.pirtekusa.com for rebuilds,
> > others have gone with Spokane HOH, but have lost their restrictor so
> > now experience the groaning steering.  Did you go to Charlebois in
> > Burlington?  My buddy needs one done for one of his 200 20v's, want to
> > do a group shipment somewhere?
> >
> > Abe Berman
> > Burlington, VT
> > 93 S4 176k
> > ----------------------------------------------------
> >
> > de-lurking here....
> >
> > Yup, I blew the J-hose last night - the one from the hydraulic pump to
> > the accumulator.   Yup, it's the part that's $558 at the local dealer
> > here in Vermont.  ECS shows it at just $495.  Haven't seen it anywhere
> > else.
> >
> > It looks like a straight forward fix, and I suspect that I'll need to
> > also replace any washers/o-rings as a part of it.  I checked with a
> > local place that rebuilds hydraulic hoses, but he doesn't think that
> > he has the stock and fittings on hand for this application -
> > apparently he's been asked to do this before, and discovered this
> > needs to be a hose of 2500 PSI working pressue, and he doesn't have
> > the stock on hand to do that.
> >
> > The next alternative is sending it out to Spokane's House of Hose (as
> > I've researched in the archives, many folks point to them with good
> > results).  Anyone have an idea as to the cost?  Anything else I should
> > address while I'm fixing the hose?
> >
> > Thanks all,
> > Paul
> >
> > 95.5 S6A
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------

>Aaron Ryba wrote:

>Paul,
>
>What was the condition before the hose blew? Were there any warning sign? I ask because after somewhat restoring my hydraulic system with a new pump and screen + flush with new fluid my hose seems to leak a tiny bit near the pump and my brake pedal is still stiff stiff. The brake issue might be due to a bad bomb (which I plan on replacing with a used part soon) but I also have the knocking sound in the steering when I turn the wheels (steering preload adjustment did not work). This sounds started only after the new pump + fluid install. 
>
>Although I have restored steering power I wonder if the J hose is somewhat blocked with debree. I understand that there are fine mesh screens on one if not both ends of this hose. Also, the hose seems to move a good bit when actuating the steering, another reason why I believe there may be blockage. Maybe that is par for the course with 2500 psi of pressure?
>Any BTDT is appreciated.
>
>Aaron Ryba
>95 S6
>
>------------------------------

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