This standard covers the material requirements of hose used in hydraulic steering applications as a flexible connection between the power steering gear and the power steering pump or pump reservoir. It also covers hose assemblies with end fittings or user-applied clamps secured to the hose as required by engineering drawings.

Material Description. Materials covered by this standard are divided into several sets of constructions and categories. The "Construction" of hose defines both the material content and construction of the hose. The "Category" of the hose defines the fluid with which it has been qualified for service. The hose is, therefore, defined as "GMW15348 Type XYZ," where "X" refers to the construction of the hose, the "Y" refers to the category to which the hose has been qualified for service, and "Z" refers to the pressure rating of the hose. Thus, the material "Type" is defined by a combination of its construction, category, and pressure rating. It is possible for a hose to be approved to more than one type.

Construction: The "Construction" of hose defines the material content and construction of the hose. All hoses shall have a reinforcement of textile braid. Hoses shall be black. The hoses and/or hose assemblies are capable of giving satisfactory service in an automobile from temperatures of -40°C to the continuous and excursion temperatures shown for the respective construction. The descriptions of the constructions of hose used for this application are as follows:

Construction A: This hose consists of a smooth bore tube of chlorinated polyethylene (CM) or chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) compound, resistant to Dexron VI, reinforced with textile braid, and a cover of CM or CSM compound. The hose and/or hose assembly is capable of giving satisfactory service at temperatures of -40°C to +125°C with intermittent operation at temperatures up to +135°C maximum.

Construction B: This hose consists of a smooth bore tube of hydrogenated acrylonitrilebutadiene (HNBR) compound or ethylene acrylate (AEM) compound, resistant to Dexron VI, reinforced with textile braid, and a cover capable of meeting the requirements in Table 1 and Table 2. The hose and/or hose assembly is capable of giving satisfactory service temperatures of -40°C to +150°C with intermittent operation at temperatures up to +160°C maximum.

Construction C: This hose consists of a smooth bore tube of acrylate (ACM) or ethyl acrylate (AEM) compound or equivalent, resistant to Dexron VI, reinforced with textile braid, and a cover capable of meeting the requirements in Table 1 and Table 2. The hose and/or hose assembly is capable of giving satisfactory service at temperatures of -40°C to +160°C with intermittent operation at temperatures up to +175°C maximum. 

Categories: The "Category" of hose defines the power steering fluid with which it has been qualified for service. The description of the fluids used with this hose is as follows:

Category 1: This category corresponds to service with hydraulic power steering fluid, GM part number 9985010.

Category 2: This category corresponds to service with Pentosin power steering fluid, GM part number 9274926 (B 040 2012).

Category 3: This category corresponds to service with Dexron VI transmission fluid, GM part number 9986153.

Pressure Rating: The "Pressure Rating" of hose defines the minimum burst pressure of the hose at temperatures from -40 to +20°C per Table 3 of the specification for Return Hose. The maximum operating pressure at a specific temperature for each "Pressure Rating" for Power Steering Return hose corresponds to 25% of the minimum burst pressure at that temperature. Remote Reservoir Hose has only one "Pressure Rating" of "D" corresponding to a minimum burst pressure of 1.2 MPa at +20°C, and a maximum working pressure of 0.05 MPa at +20°C. For Return Hose, the +20°C minimum burst pressures corresponding to the various "Pressure Ratings" are as follows:

Pressure Rating A: This "Pressure Rating" corresponds to a minimum +20°C burst of 6.7 MPa. 

Pressure Rating B: This "Pressure Rating" corresponds to a minimum +20°C burst of 13 MPa.

Pressure Rating C: This "Pressure Rating" corresponds to a minimum +20°C burst of 23 MPa.

Symbols. Not applicable.

Typical Applications. Hoses used in hydraulic steering applications

Remarks. Not applicable.