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Hydraulic hose replacement

March 27, 2015, 10:13:31 am

Any thoughts on whether to replace hydraulic hoses as a preventative measure?  Our rig is a 1995 U320 - we can be in the vicinity of FT soon and are wondering if it is worth the cost of a complete replacement.  The same question for the air hoses.  Another option might be to have Cummins do the hydraulics.  We use a Cummins place each year for engine servicing.

Thanks in advance for any help.

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #1 – March 27, 2015, 11:00:15 am

Stella,

Had Bernd inspect my lines.  Found one chafed hyd line and weeping cooling fans.  Replaced the line with chafe protection, resealed the fans and all is well.

Because of the routing of the line we replaced, I bet yours needs looking at too.  It is one of the lines to the fans which can be inspected from the rear of the coach.

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #2 – March 27, 2015, 11:48:28 am

This question brings up an important issue that I have noticed on our coach (and Don did when they were here last summer on their unit too). I have the ability to use my Pit to see a lot of small issues that I have corrected while walking under the coach and the "most important" one is that there are many instances of too tight hoses cutting across frame and brackets that WILL cause problems like these mentioned. It is only a matter of WHEN.
I have protected maybe 6 areas on hyraulic lines that had already started to wear thru the outer liner and Don did about the same. Both coach's had the same items needing work so it is a common problem. It is a shame, as just making the lines a couple of inches longer most probably would have protected them! The Fan pump lines are the worst offenders.
So, my comment to all is "get them checked asap and wrap them in those places" or you will be replacing them on a highway or after a tow.
JohnH

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #3 – March 27, 2015, 04:35:36 pm

I checked out the one I replaced during my disaster last summer.  No new chafing whatsoever yet.  Any existing chafing on other hoses hasn't gotten worse.  I used rubber radiator hose that I split and ziptied at the chafe point but I ordered polyethylene spiral guard wrapping for those hoses to clean things up a bit.

I'm not entirely convinced the hoses will blow without assistance from chafing but I may stand corrected by someone in here with a higher mileage coach.  If you find a hose that is rubbed down to the point that the braids are exposed and they are rusty, time to replace.  They aren't really that insanely expensive when you consider you'll probably only find one or two that aren't good. 

Btw the only hoses that seem to chafe for me are blue aeroquip brand hoses.  The hoses that have the felt like fabric covering all seem to be in great shape.  You want to focus on the lines that come from the hydraulic pump.  Those are under the highest stress.

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #4 – March 27, 2015, 04:39:58 pm

It is my opinion that if you were able to stand under your coach and take a real close look you may be surprised at what you see.
My comment on the abrasion of them was serious and if Don is able to chime in he too would agree with my comment.
JohnH

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #5 – March 27, 2015, 05:13:37 pm

I made the line that I replaced between the hydraulic pump and the first fan motor about 1.5-2 inches longer.  Made for a surprising amount headache installing it.  So too long isn't too good with the larger diameter hoses either.

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #6 – March 27, 2015, 06:52:58 pm

The 1" would make a big difference in preventing the abrading I mentioned. That way you can protect the pipe and tie it back to something instead of it being pulled up against a bracket or such and chaffing.
I did not mean to have a longer hose that was many inches extra or it could be rerouted maybe to miss a bracket etc!!
JohnH

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #7 – March 27, 2015, 11:06:45 pm

Don't forget to look for any hose that reaches from the engine to the frame that is a little short and has too short of a bend radius.  This condition will cause hardening and cracking over time and will eventually blow out just like chaffing does.  Hard to spot this kind, but that's what got me.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz

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Re: Hydraulic hose replacement

Reply #8 – March 28, 2015, 10:06:27 am

I share recommendation to check for chaffing, and put some protection over the line if needed.
I had a line rub through while in the Yukon and had to have another made. It was resting on something. I had them make it one inch longer and added some sort of wrap to protect it. It was on the line that runs the fans and as it lost the fluid, the heat when way up and power steering got slushy. Fortunately I quickly found a turn out to stop. Oil all over the road.
 I later replaced the leaking fan hubs, Don't know if that was related.

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