bencar

I am going nuts trying to figure out why I can't get a replacement 'Pressure Hose' to fit my 1982 Ford Fairmont. The listings show two possible Steering Racks for the car, a 'Ford Rack', and a 'TRW Rack.' I bought the hose for the 'Ford Rack', and the fitting at the Rack end, was too big, and the metal tube didn't match the bends of the old hose. I returned that hose, and bought the one for the 'TRW Rack.' The hose for the 'TRW Rack' matched the old hose in every detail, except for one very important one. On the old Hose, there is a small piece of the metal tube that extends beyond the threaded fitting on the Hose, at the 'Rack' end, by about 1/4 of an inch. On the new hose, the metal tube extends at least 3/16 of an inch, and therefore I'm unable to get the threaded fitting on the Hose end to catch the threads in the 'Power Steering Rack.' What gives here?

125

If its an 82 Fairmont they dont have a steering rack so that could be some of your problem. They only have 1 hose listed for the 82 model which should be a HPS008 & this should fit both V8 & 6cyl cars. If its a 92 then there are a few part numbers.

bencar

The car is definitely a 1982 Model Ford Fairmont Futura, and it definitely has 'Rack & Pinion' 'Power Steering.' I'm beginning to wonder though if maybe it's a case of the aftermarket replacement hoses, just not being made exactly to original equipment specifications.

silicon

1982 = XE and they had a bendix-bishop worm/roller variable rate power steering box. They are definitely not a rack and pinion setup.

What does the compliance plates give read as the model and year of production?

bencar

1982, and, it does not have a worm and roller steering box, but there is a rack bolted to the front subframe.

silicon

Ok if it doesn't have a normal box with the pitman arm which connects to the draglink then it must be a conversion of some sort. This would suggest a custom made hose when they converted it. I would suggest taking the old hose to hydraulics firm and getting an exact replacement made.

bencar

Not a conversion, and the Books do show either a TRW Rack (some specifying an 8 cyl car, some not), or a Ford Rack (some specifying 6 cyl car only, some not). Basically this thing is the same as a Mustang of that year, in that it shares the same chassis with the Mustang. Tried a different Parts Store today, and if it ever stops raining long enough, I'll crawl back under this thing, and try this latest 'guaranteed to fit' replacement hose.

silicon

Are you in the USA?

If that hose fails then getting one made should still solve the problem.

bencar

Yes, NJ to be exact.

bencar

Finally found hoses to fit that Fairmont. However, the 'Return Hose' had to be bent almost 45 degrees upward, and another 45 degrees forward, in order to get it to clear everything. Seems that this thing did indeed have a 'Ford Rack' in it after all, just that these aftermarket replacement hoses aren't all they're cracked up to be.

Thank g-d that's over with!