replacement hoses

[benherman1]

Before I take my bus too far from home I need to replace most (if not all) of the rubber hoses in the engine bay. Is there a good source for reasonably priced hoses that are already cut and terminated for the engine or am I better off having Napa make them based on what I bring in. I assume they can make pretty much anything but at around $50 per line (at least for hydraulic) it adds up fast. Where do you guys get this stuff? Nothing is actively leaking yet but most look to be OEM and are actively disintegrating.

[chessie4905]

I buy ss braided hose and reusable fittings. Those made up crimped hoses have ridiculous long crimped ends and many places don't have the correct ends, so you now need to add dapters to work with their hose ends, because they have a limited inventory of various ends and hose material pressure ratings.

[buswarrior]

What hose are you talking about?

Much of the fluid runs in lengths of metal pipe, with short straight pieces of stock hose on either end and hose clamps?

You buy the hose in 3 foot lengths, or whatever they are selling it in, and then by the needed diameter.

Buses don't usually have molded hoses like our cars.

Proudly buy proper hose clamps, NOT those hose chewing things that the novice has been fooled are hose clamps. Who can add some pictures?

Great debates rage whether you should buy silicone or "regular" hose. No matter your choice, buy good hose. Gates is one of the big boys in that business. No, not that computer Gates, a much older, different Gates.

Napa, truck parts seller, heavy equipment parts... you need to get your neighbourhood scoured for these sources of supply that used to be invisible to you.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[benherman1]

The ones I'm looking for information on are the shorter air, fuel, and water lines that seem to be braided steel with rubber over that. as far as all the larger coolant lines go I can do them though I don't look forward to bleeding the coolant system. Here's some pictures that show some of the worst ones that I can see.

Another question: Most of these seem to be going from one fixed location to another that does not need to flex. Assuming I secure them to avoid vibration issues is there any reason to not replace them with solid lines?

[luvrbus]

Those are reusable fitting all you need is the AreoQuip hose and the covers are easy to find on the internet 

[benherman1]

My local Napa guy told me they carry Weatherhead H280 hose. Does anyone know if that is compatible with the Aeroquip fittings I have? They can put Weatherhead fittings on but at around $20 per fitting I'd like to save the money if I can.

Proudly buy proper hose clamps, NOT those hose chewing things that the novice has been fooled are hose clamps. Who can add some pictures?

What Hose clamps would you recommend? Honestly I usually re-use them though that might not be the smartest idea to carry over to the bus.

[chessie4905]

Couple different types but you want ones that have banding that goes under the clamping screw so the threads dont chew up the hose. Also, they make clanps with a spring along with screw to apply constant tension, hot or cold. Gates makes green stripe hose, which is good, and Goodyear blue hose is decent. The good ones have a lining material different from outside. Those high pressure fittings are likely 37° instead of 45°. I would try a parker store or Summit racing parts sells Aeroquip. Especially ss braid with teflon lining. If cost is an issue right now, I wouldn't worry about the fabric coming off.you can cover it with split loom for the present so it looks better. Many of those hoses looking like that may go years before leaking. Now if it is high pressure hydraulic, like on power steering, you may want to change it now. That cloth covering commonly gets that way from high pressure washing and steam cleaning.

[benherman1]

So far almost all the ones I've actually wrenched around to take of end up coming out in multiple pieces. The braided steel is so rusted that they can be snapped in half by hand. While most aren't actively leaking at least as far as I can tell from all the other leaks I'd like to have the new hoses before I'm fixing something on the road and snap one while repairing something else.

Whats the best way to work out all the correct sizes to order Aeroquip stuff online? should I find one of those "size check" things you find in the bolts section at Lowes?

[dtcerrato]

Take the hoses to a hydraulic shop, most auto parts stores replace hoses. If you want to reuse the ends - tell them or you'll get new hoses with permanent crimped fittings. It's time to replace all your hoses from what you're saying & don't forget power steering hoses if you have it! We keep good hose on our reusable brass ends as the older brass ends are superior to most of what's on the market now-a-days...

[chessie4905]

The big problem with using the old reusable ends, is getting the correct Aoroquip hose compatible with your particular ends. Most current hose places have just a few hose sizes in high or low pressure. They don't have any interest in working with reusable ends. Just slapping an end on the hose and crimping it. Good luck.


https://www.summitracing.com/search/brand/aeroquip?sortby=Default&sortorder=Ascending&keyword=Aeroquip&kr=Aeroquip

[dtcerrato]

That's why we use good old family owned hydraulic shops. They'll give you exactly the right hose for the ends. Just buy the hose & do the ends yourself. It's worked for me for 40 years now.

[luvrbus]

Check your area for a Parker Store they will have the right stuff and you can go to their web page and download a catalogue for free ,Napa Stores the hoses are just a fill in for that store with a counter guy that knows nothing about hoses,fwiw even the rubber covered hoses work on those fitting you strip the cover back the length nut and they work   

[benherman1]

Check your area for a Parker Store they will have the right and you can go to their web page and download a catalogue for free ,Napa Stores the hoses are just a fill in for that store with a counter guy that knows nothing about hoses,fwiw even the rubber covered hoses work on those fitting you strip the cover back the length nut and they work

No luck with a Parker store. I tried the only locally owned hydraulic store here and they told me they only did crimp ends and the guy on the phone didn't know what type of hose they used. Luckily I have a few Napas nearby and one has a service center along with extremely knowledgeable staff. There are a ton of small businesses nearby that use them for their heavy equipment needs so they are well versed. One of the guys had the idea yesterday to chop off the end of the Aeroquip fitting and put a piece of flared nickel copper brake line in it instead for a short air line on what I think is part of the governor. We figured if it leaks I can always have another made. I attached a picture of the finished product if someone can tell me what it is for sure.

After comparing prices ordering the Aeroquip stuff and reusing ends come out to about the same price as just having Napa put new crimp ends on their hose.