MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: blumr2 on March 29, 2022, 13:42

Title: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: blumr2 on March 29, 2022, 13:42
Has anyone tried fitting replacement power steering pipes from "atozofcarparts" on ebay?  They look like a good quality set but I just can't get them to line up and fit correctly.  Looks like the high pressure hose is too short.  The seller says he's sold over 170 of them, so must be something I'm doing wrong but can't for the life of me see what!  Any suggestions very welcome.

Pics show the old rack, another one I am reconditioning with the new pipe screwed on (shows how far off the support collar is from the mounting hole on the rack), and finally the new pipe held over the old rack to compare the pipe lengths. 

Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on March 29, 2022, 15:44
@blumr2

Are these new pipe supplied as a direct replacement for the OE pipes?
If so, to my eyes, they are a different shape to the OE.
Have you sent your photos to the supplier or just advised that they don't fit?
That would then be my starting point.

Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: blumr2 on March 29, 2022, 17:19
Thanks, yes supposed to be a direct replacement and yes they are a slightly different shape to OE. I've sent the vendor pics and they can't help as they just sell them and don't install them.  Although they are happy to take them back, they say they have sold dozens with no complaints. I was wondering if someone here has successfully used them in case I'm being thick and there is a hidden knack to this.

Link to their listing:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170627605717?hash=item27ba32a4d5:g:PqAAAOSwbVJfMHG9
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: fawtytoo on March 29, 2022, 17:31
Personally, I'm wondering why all his listings are private. What's he hiding?
And he does have 1 neutral feedback stating it didn't exactly match the OEM part (incorrect mounting).
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Call the midlife! on March 29, 2022, 17:36
If they've sold dozens like the picture in their ad then they won't have had complaints but the one in your pictures is bent to a different profile.
The return curve looks too wide and has taken length out of the pipe, could maybe reprofile it to make it fit if you're desperate but otherwise it's going back.
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on March 29, 2022, 22:59
Quote from: Call the midlife! on March 29, 2022, 17:36If they've sold dozens like the picture in their ad then they won't have had complaints but the one in your pictures is bent to a different profile.
The return curve looks too wide and has taken length out of the pipe, could maybe reprofile it to make it fit if you're desperate but otherwise it's going back.

We were out for the evening so didn't follow up, but I do agree with your conclusion other than I wouldn't try to reprofile the tubing, too easy to crack tubing. I would send it back as not as advertised , unfit for purpose in which case the supplier should pay for the return.
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: blumr2 on March 30, 2022, 11:25
Thanks all, will try another one from another ebay vendor and see if have better luck. Building a track car, so steering is kind of important  ;D
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Bossworld on March 30, 2022, 16:18
On my old car, the pattern pipes I bought had a metal clamp/clip between two of them. With that in place, there was no way on earth it was ever going to fit. I removed it, and it was OK.

I'm struggling to remember which one, and compare it to your pictures, but it looked similar to the silver piece of metal sat on your steering rack.

Obviously if it's miles off, just send them back as others have said, but just in case it's any help for the replacements.
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on March 30, 2022, 16:40
Quote from: blumr2 on March 30, 2022, 11:25Thanks all, will try another one from another ebay vendor and see if have better luck. Building a track car, so steering is kind of important  ;D

Steering is kind of important on most cars, better luck with your new supplier.
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Topdownman on March 30, 2022, 20:27
Quote from: blumr2 on March 30, 2022, 11:25Thanks all, will try another one from another ebay vendor and see if have better luck. Building a track car, so steering is kind of important  ;D

These are the ones I bought;

ebay link (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153719743756)
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: TheTigerUK on March 31, 2022, 13:47
Apart from possible fitments issues are there any other problems associated with fitting a new set of pipes ? mine were really rusty when I looked so it would be nice to have some new ones.

(https://i.imgur.com/UpWvrz0.jpg)
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on April 1, 2022, 11:26
Not sure if they are available with a chromium finish John😉
More seriously, the steering Universal Joint also looks unloved. I suggest checking for any slack, grip top end and twist too and fro, shouldn't be any movement.
If OK clean it up and grease it up.
If not OK I believe TCB do a good deal on a replacement.
If slightly OCD there was/ is a bellows shroud available from a Member on here, https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=69674.0 but with your workshop I'm sure you could make your own.
 While speaking of TCB he could be worth a try with pricing for replacement pipes.
If you decide to replace the pipes I suggest you also clean the pump motor and drain/ replace the PS fluid. Ravenol is the fluid, as used by @Carolyn.
No, sorry, there is no cure for what you have developed in your ownership!
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: TheTigerUK on April 1, 2022, 15:37
Quote from: Joesson on April  1, 2022, 11:26Not sure if they are available with a chromium finish John😉
More seriously, the steering Universal Joint also looks unloved. I suggest checking for any slack, grip top end and twist too and fro, shouldn't be any movement.
If OK clean it up and grease it up.
If not OK I believe TCB do a good deal on a replacement.
If slightly OCD there was/ is a bellows shroud available from a Member on here, https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=69674.0 but with your workshop I'm sure you could make your own.
 While speaking of TCB he could be worth a try with pricing for replacement pipes.
If you decide to replace the pipes I suggest you also clean the pump motor and drain/ replace the PS fluid. Ravenol is the fluid, as used by @Carolyn.
No, sorry, there is no cure for what you have developed in your ownership!

Chrome would be nice Tony :) but just new would be even better, the area did look better after a clean, derust etc.

(https://i.imgur.com/pGVATEG.jpg)
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on April 1, 2022, 15:44
Indeed!
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: blumr2 on April 5, 2022, 00:15
Quote from: Joesson on March 30, 2022, 16:40Steering is kind of important on most cars, better luck with your new supplier.
Indeed, my poor attempt at a joke..

So another set of pipes arrived at the weekend, this time from here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154612233975

The fittings were not quite as good quality, but it fitted perfectly so now up and running.  Quite a simple job, if you can get the old pipes off. The other pipes now going back..

Thanks all for the feedback.
David
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Call the midlife! on April 5, 2022, 06:48
Looking good! Hope you remembered to tighten that wishbone screw up?🤓
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on April 5, 2022, 08:56
That looks much better @blumr2 , I do hope that the original supplier puts his hands up, admits the obvious fault and refunds the return costs.
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Topdownman on April 5, 2022, 09:27
What he said!^^^
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: TheTigerUK on April 5, 2022, 10:49
Quote from: blumr2 on April  5, 2022, 00:15Quite a simple job, if you can get the old pipes off.
David


Looks good, do you have to bleed the PS system or anything or do you just top up the PS fluid ? thanks
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Joesson on April 5, 2022, 10:58
Quote from: TheTigerUK on April  5, 2022, 10:49Looks good, do you have to bleed the PS system or anything or do you just top up the PS fluid ? thanks

These are the links I followed when I cleaned the pump and changed the EPS fluid to Ravenol:

EPS fluid change
https://youtu.be/ElmEb6PKZ50

EPS pump clean
https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/ps-light-power-steering-problems-try-this.50843/page-2
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: Bossworld on April 5, 2022, 12:39
Quote from: Joesson on April  5, 2022, 10:58These are the links I followed when I cleaned the pump and changed the EPS fluid to Ravenol:

EPS fluid change
https://youtu.be/ElmEb6PKZ50

EPS pump clean
https://www.spyderchat.com/threads/ps-light-power-steering-problems-try-this.50843/page-2


Nice to see someone else go for the 300mm wheel (by the looks of it).
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: blumr2 on April 5, 2022, 21:08
Quote from: TheTigerUK on April  5, 2022, 10:49Looks good, do you have to bleed the PS system or anything or do you just top up the PS fluid ? thanks
Yes, but very easy - just turn the wheel lock to lock with engine running and top up the reservoir as needed.
Title: Re: Problems fitting ebay power steering pipes
Post by: TheTigerUK on April 6, 2022, 12:39
Quote from: blumr2 on April  5, 2022, 21:08Yes, but very easy - just turn the wheel lock to lock with engine running and top up the reservoir as needed.

Thanks