Power steering hose thru inner fender?

[chevydog66]

This is a pic of my 72 GMC with power steering. Notice there is a hole in the inner fender for the low pressure side of the power steering hose. Is this original? I've looked at other trucks with power steering and never seen that before. What do I need to route it around the inner fender like I think it's suppose to be?

[skokie]

My 68 has the same hole. I took a quick check through my factory assembly manual and couldn't find anything.

[68 P.O.S.]

Umm, yeah, that's definitely a "custom" job there. In your picture you see how the other hose has a metal line at the box then hose connected to that...well, both hoses are supposed to have a metal line at the box. I bought my hoses at Napa, but for the return line, I had to buy the metal line from ECE.

[68GMCCustom]

I have a '68 and '72, both with ps. neither has a small hole like that...rather a much larger half oval one that has a piece that bolts on to close the gap (in one form or another).

[chevydog66]

The paint on the top of the inner fender looks original. The metal from the hole that is punched is still there and visible on the top side. I can't imagine a 72 GMC coming out of the factory without p/s, can you? I mean it has A/C, and power front disc brakes. I have seen the 2 metal lines that curve around the bottom of the inner fender. I guess I need to call ECE and get the return line. I'm buying new inner fenders and the truck is coming apart and getting painted.

[chevydog66]

So Skokie is the only other member with the same holy fender option?

[Dean]

I know if you put a steering box off a later model truck you will get into that. I put a new late model box on a K20 I used to have and had to drill a hole like that.

[Lated]

My fender doesn't have a hole but it does appear to have been attacked with a pair of tin snips. Gotta love POs. Check out my lines and the awesome PS bracket made with angle iron and a lug nut. I would much rather just have hole drilled in the fender than this.

[grayw0lf]

Originally Posted by Lated

My fender doesn't have a hole but it does appear to have been attacked with a pair of tin snips. Gotta love POs. Check out my lines and the awesome PS bracket made with angle iron and a lug nut. I would much rather just have hole drilled in the fender than this.

Wow! Thats classic. Very nice work. I'm sure the PO was quite proud of his handywork.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I recently pulled a complete set-up off an all original 72. If I remember correctly, there should be a 90 degree fitting where yours goes through the fender. From the 90 degree fitting, it should come out between the fender and frame next to the other hose. There should be no extra holes, cuts, dimples, whatever in p/s inner fender vs. non power steering fenders... that I'm aware of. 4x4's may be different?

Here's some pics. Yes, the fender is peeled back, but I did that because it was so rusty and it made taking the system off a lot easier than trying to remove 35 year old New York fender bolts

I still have the set-up all connected (took it off assembled.) If I can remember, I'll try to take a pic of the set-up tonight.

[fun in dirt]

Originally Posted by chevydog66

So Skokie is the only other member with the same holy fender option?

Mine is the same way too...damn PO!

[69GMCor70Chevy]

I have a 69 GMC and mine as the hole in the fender. Looked factory to me.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Hmmm, maybe it's factory for six cylinder, the V-6, or maybe big block truck?

Is there any similarities engine-wise for all those who have the hole.

Personally, I've never seen one done that way.

[69GMCor70Chevy]

I don't know if my engine (350) or even the PS is factory as I have a diff cab so no glovebox label.

[OlChev67]

Heres my inner fender chop job. I didnt have the patience to do it right, so I used an air grinder and cut the piece out. Saved the piece because I think I am going to weld it back in.