So after I replaced the starter and wheel berrings, now I'm having power steering issues!  It appears that the fat hose connecting from the side of the resivoir to the top of the power steering pump (the low pressure hose, I assume) is oozing fluid.  I couldn't find an exact leak, but the fluid seems to just collect around the sides and drip off when I squeeze the hose.  It's now to the point that it dumps the entire resivoir contents every 30 miles or so.

I started this thread because I found that the replacement hoses are SO FREEKIN EXPENSIVE!  Nobody carries them, but a suzuki dealer can get the set of all three for $500 and I found a place online that can sell them for $300.  A little better- but all I need is a 9" tube of rubber for crying out loud!!

Does anybody know of a hose of similar design that can be purchased from auto zone or anywhere else?  Outside of the box thinking is welcomed!

Call Hawks at 1-888-SAMURAI.

Rick can probably hook you up with a new hose.  

Cwkick

Try you local hydraulic line manufacturer. Let them take a look at the fittings, and let them know what you need in length. They'll be able to do it.

Call Hawks at 1-888-SAMURAI.

Rick can probably hook you up with a new hose.  

Cwkick

oh you stole Zigs add!  

but i agree with jagular7.  we always go to this place that dose things for huge bulldozers and ect...  they always can make custom hoses faster and cheaper than the dealer.

stu

Awsome tips guys! Thanx!  I'll give those options a shot and let you know!

Taken Care of!  I went to Auto Zone and baught a hose with the exact same diameter and thickness... Although its a hot water hose- it seems to be holding up very well and my power steering is back to 100%!  Put it on myself- The hose and the fluid cost about 4 bucks  .........

Sure beats $500 pluse labor!  

 Do not use that heater hose for p/s setup. It is noted rated for hot oil or petroleum based products. After a while it will get soft and collapse and start desintegrate from the inside. This wall cause harm to your pump and possibly burn it up. I get specialty hoses like this in custom lengths from a Oil filter service. Not only do they deal with filters but all types of hoses related to cooling, remote mounted filter systems and so on.

Do not use that heater hose for p/s setup. It is noted rated for hot oil or petroleum based products. After a while it will get soft and collapse and start desintegrate from the inside. This wall cause harm to your pump and possibly burn it up. I get specialty hoses like this in custom lengths from a Oil filter service. Not only do they deal with filters but all types of hoses related to cooling, remote mounted filter systems and so on.

Agree. If you used heater hose, you are basically using the hose for the low pressure side (return) back to the ps pump. Get proper lines with hose clamps, add a small cooler and don't forget about a filter (Napa has them). This will add fluid capacity to your system, adding a cooler helps a lot with the larger tires and slow moving.

If you can find the right size, use auto
trans cooler line, this can take the heat
and is designed for hot oil.

Wild

oh you stole Zigs add!  
stu

Good to see somebody else pimping Hawk They ROCK
Zig

Thanx for the word of warning!  I ordered a 3/4" and a 1" hydraulic hose from dinflexhose.com
I'll put it on as soon as it comes in.

7/8" would have been ideal but the 3/4th will probably fit just fine.  In the mean time... Relpacing that leakey hose made a world of differance!  The engine seems to run much smother... And I'm talking since the past few years.  There must have been a vaccume leak well before it started loosing fluid.  Much better !