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Locating And Inspecting The Hydraulic Hoses In Your Vehicle To Ensure They Are In Good Condition

14 January 2022 by Hugh Lowe

Your car or truck has a lot of parts that keep it working, and on nearly all vehicles, there are several hydraulic hoses that are critical. Hydraulic hose is often rubber but reinforced to withstand high pressure, so it is a good option for brake lines, power steering lines, and any line that needs to move while maintaining its pressure. 

Locating The Lines

Finding the hydraulic hose lines under your car or truck can be challenging unless you know where to look. There are a few particular places these lines are used, and while hydraulic hoses are durable, they should have regular inspections to ensure they are still in good condition.

In nearly every car manufactured, brake lines use a hydraulic hose at each wheel to connect the rigid steel lines to the brake calipers and allow the suspension to travel up and down with the road. There are also hydraulic hose connections on the power steering pump running to the steering box or rack that allow the engine to move independently of the chassis without damaging the lines. 

Some vehicles with automatic transmission will also use hydraulic hose lines to connect the transmission cooler to the transmission case. Again, this is to allow independent movement of all the components. 

Hose Inspections

Each hydraulic hose on your vehicle has a steel fitting secured to the end of the hose when it is manufactured. Without these fittings, the lines could not be attached on either end and still maintain pressure in the line. 

Checking the area where the steel and the rubber come together is critical because if the hose is bent too far, it can damage that connection and allow the hydraulic hose to leak around the connection. Air can also seep into the system through these leaks and cause the hydraulic system to malfunction. 

The rubber casing of the hydraulic hose can start to crack with changing weather conditions and time, so it is essential to check the hose occasionally. If cracks begin to appear in the hose casing, you may start to see fluid seeping out as well. If this becomes a problem, the hydraulic hose needs replacing right away. 

Hydraulic Hose Maintenance

Keeping the hydraulic hoses on your car or truck in good condition is easy during regular vehicle maintenance. If hoses are dirty, wash them off with soap and water, then allow them to dry. After the hose is dry, wipe down the hydraulic hose with a rubber protectant to condition the outer surface and help prevent cracking and damage to the case.

While the cleaning and maintenance will not guarantee the hose will last indefinitely, it will extend the service life of the hoses and just takes a few minutes to do. 

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