Power steering cooler question
 

Is it possible to braze or weld or ? these two power steering cooling lines to make one? The black one is stock and the bare aluminum with fins is off a later model BMW. Or do you think using high-pressure hose and clamps will suffice?

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Looks like the finned one is soldered.

I would imagine a similar method could be used (thinking of custom hvac hard lines)…

That’s what I thought, but I’ve never heard of brazing or soldering aluminum.

Is it on the supply or return line? The return side will be low pressure, and any 'decent' clamp will work.

You can braze al with zinc. There's all kinds of Muggy Weld type of products out there like the ones you see filling the hole in a soda can. FI hose clamps would be fine if they are the correct size.

Thanks guys. I’m going to see if I can un-braze the joint on the new one and go from there.

I’ll have to look and see if it’s on the high side or low side.

I used one of these on my ATF line.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/163508819410https://www.ebay.com/itm/163508819410

I did have to mill the aluminum line slightly with sandpaper due to it being a but thicker than copper.

They are always on the suction side, just use the correct type of universal power steering /transmission/ hydraulic return line, and good spring clamps to loop them together , then .....
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Hahaha, Fred!

I was able to un-braze the fittings on the new cooler and used a piece of it to make a splice. Unfortunately, the pipes are not the same size and it’s a little big for the old pipe and a little small for the new pipe.

It’s also about 1” too long right now and I need to see if I can shorten it up somewhere.

For $16 I’m going get a small tubing expander off Amazon and see if I can expand the old pipe and the fitting….


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You have brake line flaring tools? If you have the ones that make bubbles they may work.
I’m spoiled - have one of those $200 hydraulic deals with a ton of dies that I bought when I was redoing the stainless lines to my hydroboost setup, but even the cheap ones work if you go slow.