"the more braided it is, the harder to flex".

You ain't kiddin'!!

It's like trying to bend a stick.

 

My experience was that every hydraulic hose fabricator I called said they do not do power steering hoses (may have to do with the fittings or fluid compatabilities?). Summit does list SS braided hose (teflon lined) and fittings specifically for PS applications, but the fitting choices are limited, no 17mm (Toyota box return line fitting size) offered. I bought my hoses custom fabricated for length from Gotta Show, they offer them with low profile fittings for the Toyota box.

 

Hmmm, wonder why that is? Can't be a presure issue as Parker-Hannifin makes non-braided hoses with working pressures up to 8,000 psi (25,000 psi burst strength) and several companies (Triad Fluid Power for one) make non-braided hoses using aramid fiber reinforcement in small sizes up to 15,000 psi (40,000 psi burst strength). Might have to do with flexibility but I know the Parker and Triad hoses are oil resistant since they are designed for hydraulic applications.