I bought an ACDelco quick ratio steering gear to replace my 3.5 turns lock to lock gear. I got all my parts from my friend at the Chevy dealer along with a new pump and pressure and return hoses. The mechanic I am having work on it says that the pressure hose I got them is not long enough. The question I have is isn't the 2.5 and 3.5 gear box the same size? I even had the parts guy order me both so we could compare them before I bought it. So why would the mechanic be saying the hose is not long enough? The only part that is not exactly stock is the slow ratio gear box. Seems odd to me that the pressure hose is not fitting. The port for the pressure side should be in the same location right?

 

I could see there being alot of diffrent possibilities there, the mechanic might be routing the hose wrong, the ports could be on diffrent sides, it could mount diffrent, did you compare the hoses first, and if you did did you compare the boxes, answer those questions first. you said you purchased a new pump, is it the same, or does it have an improved design. It should be pretty standard, but there alot of unanswered question to ask.

 

Without seeing it I'd have to guess too. Another possibility is that the hose was meant to be used with the pressure switch (kicks throttle up when it senses low pressure) in-line with it. Most likely it's just the wrong hose.

 

I compared the steering boxes when I got the parts at the dealer. I also ordered just the stock replacement pump from the dealer as well. All the part numbers matched up the only thing left is possibly the wrong hose was in the right box. The mechanic is trying to source another hose because apparently everything else mounted up right. You would assume the right parts come in the right box but it seems you never know.