Power steering return line question

[jbain2]

This is probably a dumb question and I can see why it matters, but wanted to confirm. There are 2 power steering return lines that come from the power steering cooler. One that goes to the reservoir and the other that goes to the rack. The car has been apart for a long time and I can't remember which line goes where on the cooler hard lines. I don't see why it would matter as I think the cooler just acts as a conduit for the fluid to circulate in. Does it matter which direction and which line goes where? Unless the cooler lines in the front are valved?

[PZ.]

Does not matter.

[frobet]

You are right, it's probably a dump question. It's a two way pip and can go into any of the holes. Go ahead.

[jbain2]

I cross posted this question in the B5 S4 section as well. Interestingly it does seem to matter.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?sha...2&share_type=t


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[chris86vw]

At the actual cooler/pipe it doesn't matter.

The video from the b5 forum thread is either showing the lines at the res reversed or the restrictor not installed. Doesn't have to do with the direction of flow at the cooler in question as far as I can tell or as far as I'm aware of how the actual cooler works.

One could replace the cooler with a piece of straight through rubber hose, you could then remove that hose and flip it around.. nothing will change.

You can take out the stock cooler and replace it with an aftermarket one or one from another model, then swap those hoses, won't matter.



The discussion of the flow restrictor in the other thread was an interesting one but it distracted from the question of the connection at the cooler itself.




Even if the restrictor was in the cooler and not the line as long as it is just a restrictor and not some sort of back flow type device it should still restrict in both directions. I haven't messed with them in a while so I really don't recall.

[chris86vw]

Ok just looked at mine while trying to diag my weak ac, glad I did ones is very cracked.


Bottom line has some braided loom/mesh over it and goes to the rack.

Top hose doesn't have any braided loom mesh but seems to have some smooth rub protection sleeves on it in a few places.




Of course it is the one going to the rack on mine that is cracking

[PZ.]

The restrictor is in the line. It makes the p/s stronger (less effort). You can drill it out slightly to increase steering effort.