Continuous improvement for your car means getting down to the nitty-gritty details. And one thing that most vehicle owners never think about is their hydraulic hose fittings. But the team at Loper’s Performance Center knows your hose fittings’ value and want to break down this concept for your benefit. In this article, you’ll learn about your car’s hydraulic system, its hose fittings, and why it matters to you.
Understanding Your Car’s Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system contributes to proper vehicle operation and safety. An essential component of a car’s hydraulic system is the hydraulic hose. This handles the liquid pressure and flow, so if there’s a failure, the connected components become in danger. That’s why it’s best to recognize when a hydraulic hose repair or replacement is needed.
What in your vehicle uses a hydraulic hose system? Passenger vehicle brakes, steering, and transmission use hydraulic hoses, and systems that move fluid, including engine cooling, A/C, heating, etc., also need hoses. The difference between hydraulic hoses and other hoses is that hydraulic hoses have to endure significant pressure and let fluid flow at a high rate. In order to function correctly, hydraulic hoses are composed of strength-lending braided steel, but this means they’re more subject to deterioration and corrosion.
Hydraulic Hose Fittings
Hydraulic hose fittings connect the hose to components of the system, such as cylinder, pipes, tubes, or even different hydraulic hoses. The different fittings affect the flow of fluid. It can change its direction, divert it elsewhere, or even mix fluid. It’s necessary for the fittings to have a tight seal to prevent any leakage. The wrong fitting can decrease the system’s efficiency and, worse, any damage to the fitting will drastically deplete your hydraulic hose system’s efficiency.
Determining Hose Fittings
When evaluating what hose fittings you’ll want, keep in mind this acronym, S.T.A.M.P: size, temperature, application, materials, and pressure. You will have to check the specifications that align with your vehicle’s needs and can endure the kind of driving conditions you’re seeking. Of course, with any vehicle choice you may be unsure with, don’t hesitate to contact a mechanic for help deciding the best course of action.
Checking Your Hydraulic Hoses
When thinking about annual projects to help your car last longer, one thing to consider is checking your entire hydraulic hose system, specifically your hoses. You’ll want to inspect for any signs of aging or heat exposure since those can lead to hardening and cracking. If there’s any kinks or drastic twists, the flow between hoses is at risk. Additionally, you’ll want to see if any hose is close to or rubbing against a sharp object.
Deciding to Repair or Replace
A lot of gearheads think they’re able to repair most items with their car. But unfortunately, you will often need to replace a hose with damage to it. Any damage at all can result in leaking, putting your car and yourself at risk if everything isn’t functioning properly. You’ll likely notice the most and any damage at the end of a hose or point of connection. This is because pressure changes at this point, making it the most susceptible to deterioration. You might be able to get by with tightening some fittings, but you’ll want to be safe to fully replace a hose if you notice a problem.
Contact Loper’s Performance for a Free Quote
If you’re looking for any help with your vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact the pros at Loper’s Performance. We’ll give you a free quote to improve your vehicle and determine how to keep it at optimal performance for a longtime.
About Loper’s Performance Center
While Loper’s Performance Center is the largest speed shop in Arizona, we also are a full-service center. We’re proud to be your one-stop shop for everything automotive. Additionally, we’re proud to frequently offer automotive insights and advice on our blog, such as the benefits of supercharging your muscle car, why your ac is not cooling properly, and more.