Lower radiator hose question, 1980 Cherokee.

[KivaKid]

Hello, all, I'm new to the forum! Had a question. Getting a 1980 4-door Cherokee, I-6 258, w/Warn 8274 winch next week--$800. Runs like a champ! The owner stated that he had to change the lower radiator hose every 2 years because it rubs against the steering linkage going down to the steering box and creates a hole. Could it be an incorrect water pump, or is there a mod?? Can't imagine that this would be normal!? Maybe the wrong hose? He didn't know much about vehicles at all, and I don't know a whole lot, so I'm hoping this is an easily fix!
Thanks!
scrapplepie@hotmail.com

[andy d]

make a sleeve for the hose outta a piece of hose. slice it, put it on over the hose at the rub point. glue it in place if you have to. thats the rig im looking to replace my 88wag with

[KivaKid]

Thanks, andy d! Sounds like it's an inherent thing?
KivaKid

[Gladi8r]

Find a flex hose that is long/short enough, so as to route the hose where there is no rubbing. :D

[Bob Barry]

Sometimes replacement hoses are made longer than they need to be, so one part number can cover a variety of applications. In order for it to fit certain applications that it is listed for, one end of the hose or another (or both) has to be cut down. If not, the hose wouldn't fit properly, and would perhaps extend into regions it shouldn't.

I'm not saying there was a DSPO behind this problem, but it's possible; see if the current hose comes straight off the water outlets, or if it is kinked in any direction at all.

[KivaKid]

Thanks Bob Barry & Gladi8r! When I looked at it after a test drive it did look a little kinked--actually at the lower bend. The owner had used a piece of wire to pull it away as well. I bet a trim would work, maybe in combination with Gladi8r's fix as well!
Thanks!

[nograin]

For whatever reason the aftermarket hose on my 360 didn't fit right. I found a cooperative store and found one that was real close and then trimmed off the excess. It wasn't too hard because it was a pretty simple hose shape (2 bends). Don't know why the listing didn't work as everything is original (with 130,000 miles :rolleyes: ).

Try, try, try to get a spring inside as well. Most companies now cheap out, but the spring coil helps keep the lower hose from collapsing even when the hose gets soft a few years from now.