RE: [Chrysler300] '56 Power Steering Hose

["Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

John, Gil, and 1955 Chrysler product owners with power brakes on their cars:

My 1955 C300 is in the shop where I had my mechanic pull the master cylinder
and the Kelsey-Hayes booster.  I hot-shotted the booster to Power Brake
Exchange in nearby (60 miles) San Jose where I visited with Martin, the guy
that works on these engineering masterpieces.  His observations confirmed
mine that the unit had probably never been overhauled as it had an ID tag
affixed by one of the screws on the booster body.  Only 78,000 miles in 51
years-heck, nothing seems to last.  Warranty has long since expired.  Unit
had apparently totally failed as it took both feet jammed hard on the brake
pedal to slow down the brute.  Good thing the pedal is double-wide.  Great
planning!

Martin says they manufacture six special parts for the rebuild and will
resleeve the master cylinder bore if required.  He gave me their catalog
that shows they can provide service on power brake boosters for MoPars 1950
to date.  The catalog shows the same booster for all 1955 Plymouth, Dodge,
DeSoto and Chryslers.  Also, they show most US iron from the '50's and a lot
of foreign stuff.  Member Mike Galassi and others report good service from
Power Brake Exchange and I expect the same, but I will report results and
price.  An entry at the Imperial Club pages indicates less than satisfactory
service from them by one member.  They also provide rebuild service for
power steering pumps and rack and pinion units.

Contacts:
Power Brake Exchange
260 Phelan Ave.
San Jose, CA 95112
800-322-1775
408-292-1305
Fax: 408-294-68117
Their website at www.powerbrakeexchange.com has been dead for several weeks.

Original Cylinder
6853 Suva St.
Bell Gardens, CA 90201 (Near East L.A.)
562-806-6661
Fax 562-806-3570

Anyway, Martin suggested gold zinc coating/dipping the booster body.  Does
that seem to be an appropriate finish for this piece or would it be better
to just retain the rather dull looking cad/zinc finish?

Also, are there any helpful hints for my mechanic as he installs the booster
and sets the linkage?

John L. or anyone:  Please make a mental or written note to chase down the
brand, part number and source for a proper length/proper end connection 1955
power steering hose-either a direct installation or requiring different
fittings???  Do any replacement fittings need to be steel or is brass OK?

C-300'ly,
Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA
1955 Chrysler C-300 (whoa Nelly)

-----Original Message-----
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of johnl
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 7:17 AM
To: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; cotejohnr@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] '56 Power Steering Hose

John and all,

I've experienced this hose problem several times and have come up with a
hose that is a bolt on for the 1956 examples.  It is under the Continental
Brand, but I don't have the number presently.  Leaving tonight for
Asheville, so someone remind me next week and I'll provide the info.

The 1955 hose is different in that the fitting coming out of the pump is
male and the 1956 examples are female.  I think I'm right on this, but it
could be reversed.  This is what happens when you get old and have a killer
cold brewing !!  If you've got an extra pump just switch those fittings and
you are in good shape.  If not I took the hose to a shop that will modify
and had them change the end to accommodate the male fitting.

As of this writing our three 1955 examples and one 1956 have this hose
installed.  More to follow.

John Lazenby
Southern California, just minutes from Disneyland
1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Town & Country
1955 Imperial Newport
1955 Chrysler C300
1956 Chrysler 300B
1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe
1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe
1963  Volkswagen Beetle
2001 BMW ///M5 (A Modern SUPERCAR)
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=18

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <cotejohnr@xxxxxxx>
To: <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:03 AM
Subject: [Chrysler300] '56 Power Steering Hose


Hi all,
I needed a new power steering hose for one of my '56 New Yorkers and 
since it uses the same hose as a '56 300B, I thought this would be 
useful to everyone with a "B" and also a C300.

Our website lists NAPA hose # 7-1108 as a replacement so I bought one.  
I installed it and it looked like a "snake" coming up from the steering 
column to the pump.  ie; it was much too long for a '56.

Went to NAPA store and they let me look through their catalog of power 
steering hoses and I found the correct end fittings and a hose about 8 
inches shorter which provided a much improved installation to the eaton 
pump.  So for all you '55-'56 owners out there, the better fitting hose 
(if you don't have an NOS one kicking around ! ) from NAPA is # 7-829 . 


Maybe someone (?) could update our website section on parts 
replacements for the '55-'56 to name this NAPA number as the preferred 
replacement or the alternative.  I'm not sure and haven't compared 
them,  but it may also be better for later letter cars as well.

To all that are going to Asheville...have an enjoyable and safe trip 
and don't forget to check out the indoor pool at the Biltmore Mansion!!
John Cote
Guilford, CT............ just thinking about building an ARK up here in 
the Northeast !!  And Hertog, don't forget to pack the paddles !!




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