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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Posts: 14,160
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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?
  
Last edited by A930Rocket; 03-31-2024 at 11:47 PM.. |
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03-31-2024, 04:06 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,668
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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)…
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03-31-2024, 06:39 PM
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That’s what I thought, but I’ve never heard of brazing or soldering aluminum.
Last edited by A930Rocket; 03-31-2024 at 11:46 PM.. |
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03-31-2024, 11:42 PM
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Is it on the supply or return line? The return side will be low pressure, and any 'decent' clamp will work.
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"A machine you build yourself is a vote for a different way of life. There are things you have to earn with your hands." |
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04-01-2024, 05:12 AM
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Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
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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.
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04-01-2024, 07:01 AM
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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. |
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04-01-2024, 10:15 AM
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I used one of these on my ATF line.
I did have to mill the aluminum line slightly with sandpaper due to it being a but thicker than copper.
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04-01-2024, 11:28 AM
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Location: Valencia Pa.
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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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04-01-2024, 02:07 PM
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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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04-01-2024, 02:44 PM
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Location: NY
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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. |
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04-01-2024, 05:00 PM
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Black Betty
