Power Steering Pump Whaa??
 

So...

I have just finished rebuilding the engine, rebuilding the transmission, and manual swapping, as well as rebuilding the SLS system and front end on my 1985 300TD wagon.

It has been lots of work to get to this point! But I'm now stuck, and it's the strangest thing ever that has me stuck, after many years of being an industrial mechanic, I am still stumped, by my power steering pump! And I need your help...

I am trying to re-attach the high and low-pressure hoses to the pump, and well, I can't. They are clearly not reverse thread, and they are in great condition. I have been having such an impossible time in fact, that I gave up and thought I would come to check the forums and find what is surely something simple that I am missing. The only problem is, I can't find a single other person with this problem!

I have multiple parts cars, and first I accidentally ruined the threads on my new engine, then I started trying on another pump, but still nothing, it just wants to cross thread, go crooked, or seize. What is going on with these threads and why are they the most challenging ones I've ever dealt with before?

I notice these threads have a strange helical coil-like insert, potentially as some sort of way to seal them, and I notice that the "coil" (acting like thread) has a blunt end, which I am assuming is what makes this so difficult.

Does anyone know something that I can't seem to see??

Are you leading with the threads or with the end of the lines?