81 international harvester s1723 bus with no power steering

[Allan Balmer]

Hey everyone, I recently bought an 81 international harvester s1723 bus with the 392 gas engine and Spicer 4sp manual transmission. About 20 minutes into the drive home to NY from Pennsylvania one of my power steering lines blew out. Would anyone on here know where I can find a replacement for it (and probably the rest of the hoses because they're likely to go once I replace the busted one.

 

[Omnibot2000]

Dumb question, have you tried calling a shop?

Just curious. I called international for a 1976 int. tandem to find out all information on the truck to order parts have been deleted

You could try a well established HYD shop. I had to get some brake hose and steer lines made for a GMC topkick that haad parts on backorder with no eta.

 

[cadillackid]

there are NAPA stores with machine shops and hydraulic hose services.. ive had many hoses made over the years by them.. including powered steering hoses for 2 of my internationals..


you cAn search for NAPA with hydraulic hose service.. take the old hose with you..

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

depends on location?
as mentioned NAPA, my Oreilly's also can do it, also see if there is a parker hydraulics in your area they will charge more than the auto parts stores and i also have a carolina tubes and hoses that takes care of most of the farmers.
sometimes i can get United Rentals to help me out especially if i have alot of equipment on rent and blow a hose on my personal tractor.

 

[Omnibot2000]

depends on location?
as mentioned NAPA, my Oreilly's also can do it, also see if there is a parker hydraulics in your area they will charge more than the auto parts stores and i also have a carolina tubes and hoses that takes care of most of the farmers.
sometimes i can get United Rentals to help me out especially if i have alot of equipment on rent and blow a hose on my personal tractor.

Very true on location. I don't know of any Napa where I am that provides custom power steer lines other then a HYD. shop I've used

I know I've made my own hoses with reusable HYD. fittings but no custom steel lines.

 

[Allan Balmer]

Yeah I've called a few shops and parts stores and most of them hear the make and model and say good luck. But it's good to hear that you were able to use parts from GM. That's what I've been researching recently because I noticed my reservoir says use GM fluid and someone else told me that they had a Chevy c70 with the same power steering system.

 

[Omnibot2000]

I was saying I had to get lines made for a GMC. Not install GM lines on your international.

Do you have a picture of the line you need?

 

[Allan Balmer]

I haven't removed it yet, I've been working a ton and it's been rather wet and chilly the last few days so unfortunately I do not have a picture of the hose that I need replaced. I also don't know which of two is busted it was kinda dark when I saw it being pushed out of one of the lines right near the shaft for the steering column and almost directly above where the leaf springs mount to the lower cross member.

 

[Allan Balmer]

I've been doing a lot of this stuff by myself which can be difficult because some things you have to be standing there watching for it to happen to get a proper diagnosis.

 

[cadillackid]

dont call a parts store... call a fab shop.. dont call a regular NAPA.. you cal one wit ha hydraulic hose and / or machine shop... they are liasted on their website as having those services..



you'll need to have the line made.. I only suggested NAPA as they have made every powered steering hose ive needed for the past several decades...

 

[Allan Balmer]

Update

I figured out which hose it is, and where it's damaged. From the look of it I might be able to cut the hose, because it's blown a hole right in the middle of the actual hose section and not at either steel end, and put in a steel or brass barb connector and some hose clamps. My question is do any of the legit mechanics on here think that is even an acceptable repair job if only short term until I can order a new proper hose? Attached pictures of the hose in question.

 

[Omnibot2000]

That is NOT an acceptable repair. Do NOT do that.

Please google search for reusable HYD. fittings, purchase some HYD. hose and make some if you can not find a business to build them for you.

Best thing with reusable fittings, if the hose blows you can re use the fittings again.

 

[Omnibot2000]

To add. With the pics you have, if you pull the line you can walk into any HYD. shop and they should be able to make those. Does not look like a complex steel line on each end of the hose.

 

[cadillackid]

I figured out which hose it is, and where it's damaged. From the look of it I might be able to cut the hose, because it's blown a hole right in the middle of the actual hose section and not at either steel end, and put in a steel or brass barb connector and some hose clamps. My question is do any of the legit mechanics on here think that is even an acceptable repair job if only short term until I can order a new proper hose? Attached pictures of the hose in question.

omni has it right.. powered steering systems can produce upwards of 1000 (or more) PSI.. hose clamps and a barb fitting are not going to stand up to those pressures..

 

[Allan Balmer]

The fitting I was looking into using is one that comes in a universal hydraulic line replacement kit. As long as I have the right materials and tools I'm confident I can fix the issue. I just still prefer to check in with those that may know more than me. Thank you for the tip I'll look into where I can get those fittings near me.

 

[Allan Balmer]

Good to know about the psi I knew it was a high pressure system which is why I'm asking first and not just doing the dumb thing then asking why it didn't work lol. I had a similar issue on my little focus years ago and again I couldn't find the right hose anywhere not even at the dealerships. I ended up scrapping it, I can't afford to do that with this bus. Thank you guys I know I've probably made all of you say wtf is this dude thinking to yourselves and appreciate that you're willing to give advice.

 

[Omnibot2000]

. Thank you guys I know I've probably made all of you say wtf is this dude thinking to yourselves and appreciate that you're willing to give advice.

Didn't think that. Now if we told you to not do it and did it anyway.....THEN we would have had the wtf moment. We have had that a couple times on here. LOL

 

[Allan Balmer]

10 years ago I might not have taken the warning as a warning and done it until it blew up on me but I've definitely learned from those mistakes in the past and don't want to repeat them. My local Napa has some fittings listed on their site I'm going to investigate and see if they have any in the right size and rated for the application I need. I'll keep everyone appraised of the on going repairs and upgrades as they happen. Trying to get it ready to travel, I have an opportunity to start working in the solar industry building solar fields. My friend that is in the industry has been telling me about the growth for years and how he's able to just set up camp right on the job site 9 out of 10 times and or can find a spot a short drive away. With the travel pay and per diem the take home at the lowest wage is almost 4 times what I make currently. So the sooner I can get her ready for trips within NYS and handle winter weather the sooner I'll be able to afford any sort of repairs my bus may need.

 

[Allan Balmer]

Irony in searching for places to purchase these fittings I found a shop that can rebuild or make a new one for me.

 

[Omnibot2000]

Irony in searching for places to purchase these fittings I found a shop that can rebuild or make a new one for me.

Best way to go