Power Steering Hoses Improperly Connected

[2WD]

Acquired a 99 528it. It was leaking power steering fluid so decided to change reservoir/filter and hoses. Discovered that the return pipe (part#32411093149) and the radiator return line (part#32411094306) were connected to the wrong ends of the cooling coil. The radiator return line was connected to the bottom while the return pipe was connected to the top. Despite the leak which I only noticed a few days after I bought the car I actually drove the car around with no apparent steering problems. I connected the new hoses according to realoem but I'm curious. Did it matter if the connections to the cooling coil were swapped?

[jclausen]

No

[djb2]

I think that is the factory configuration.

RealOEM diagrams are often 'incorrect'. The diagrams are to illustrate the parts, and they don't seem to be concerned with the accuracy of the shape or connection position.

If someone has a car that they are certain matches the factory configuration, please report the orientation of the power steering hoses and the automatic transmission hoses. It doesn't matter for the cooling effect, but it may matter to avoid rubbing.