thoughts on rein hoses?

[David.X5]

I'm going to replace the four rubber power steering hoses. Of course the prices are crazy. List is around $600 for the four. The best price I found for dealer hoses is $464 for the four and I can get Rein hoses for $276 for the four.

I don't know anything about Rein. They are part of a conglomerate that includes continental, pentosin and ajusa which are names I recognize. Anybody used them? good or bad?

[Joshdub]

Rein is an OEM. I'd use them.

[cn90]

My personal experience with Rein is no good. Their rubber is inferior.

I believe Cohline is the OEM mfg for BMW hoses.

Personally, if I were you, I'd bite the bullet and do this once and for all. This job requires tons of labor. Not worth the $ savings going with Rein.

[Ricky Bobby]

The high pressure hoses are the expensive ones, the low pressure reservoir hoses are the cheaper ones.

If anything maybe Rein on the low pressure hoses but I wouldn't go aftermarket on the HP ones.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

The high pressure hoses are the expensive ones, the low pressure reservoir hoses are the cheaper ones.

If anything maybe Rein on the low pressure hoses but I wouldn't go aftermarket on the HP ones.

[cn90]

If you are short of budget, this is my recommendation:

1. The high-pressure hose: buy it from BMW.

2. The low-pressure hoses: they can be rebuilt using generic trans cooler hoses (local auto parts store, about $1/foot) + Oetiker clamps (ebay sells packages of 10 for cheap). This will be as good as new.

The principle of rebuilding hoses is very simple:
- Cut the factory crimp, preserving the barb fitting using dremel tool (or angle grinder).
- Fit the new hose.
- Apply Oetiker clamps x2 (2 is overkill but I feel better with 2).

I rebuild my 1998 Volvo S70 trans cooler hoses below (you need an account at Volvo forum to see the photos):
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...ic.php?t=55794


However, I will post some Volvo photos, so you can see what the rebuild process look like:

[Ricky Bobby]

^This is good ingenuity on the volvo hose cn!

[David.X5]

Thanks everyone. I did a thorough degrease yesterday to see if I can find a specific source for my leak. I'm a little worried now it might even be from the pump itself. A few days of driving and I should have a better idea of what needs to be replaced. Leaning to the BMW hoses - most of the difference in price is the longer high pressure hose, which is the one that is stressed the most...

[white46]

I'll say just get everything Rein and get it from FCPEuro for lifetime warranty.

FYI, I've replaced all 4 PS hoses on my previous e46 with Rein and didn't have any issues with it. It's not critical component anyways.
Just make sure you buy correct number of gasket washers.

[cn90]

FYI,

In any vehicle, the high-pressure PS hose is critical for 2 reasons, if it bursts:

1. Loss of steering assist.

2. Risk of fire. Mercedes SUV had a series of fire because of the high-pressure PS hose bursting.