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hydro assist

Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 8:32 pm
by redneckrapunzel
Alright after getting a really good arm workout this weekend steering my jeep around im going to get some hydro assist. i believe i should be able to run my factory pump and may need a smaller box but im not for sure. I have looked into it a bit and just really need to find a way to match my box to a certain cylinder. My worry is with the wrong cylinder i will damage my steering box because it will either push faster or slower than the box causing for it to load up and damage the box somehow. However i dont know if this is even a real issue because the cylinder might only push hard once the steering is bound up and just float the rest of the time because the pump wont build enough pressure in the cylinder until motion is being resisted. So basically is this all nonsense and i should just get a random cylinder that i have sized to have the right amount of force and not worry about the motion?

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 12:57 pm
by Mr.WJ
This is all you

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthre ... dro-Assist

I was concerned about the metal getting into the box from tapping... read this, "I've done 2 of these and the second time I magnetized the tap and cleaned it out as I went. I did not take the box apart. then ran some oil through it to ,make sure it was clean. 5 years and no issues"

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 2:38 pm
by Username
Not an issue, lots of people tapping the stock box, same ports controlling the box's and ram's assist. The cylinder diameter depends on what kind of driving you want to do. A larger diameter will be slower to react but provide more force. On/off road I'd look into 1.5 to 1.75". Off road only 1.75" to 2". Upgrading the power steering pump flow rate will also make the steering react faster. There are low buck methods of doing this also.

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/p ... ering.html

I use a 1.75" ram on my setup, never needed more steering force, and it reacts almost as fast as I can turn the wheel.

Matching the stroke of the ram to the steering's travel is the most critical part. And use a good power steering cooler.

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 2:55 pm
by redneckrapunzel
Yea ive seen both of those links thanks guys! I think ive figured that it wont cause any damage because the pump cant build enough pressure in the ram to push hard enough on the box. I am planning to take my box apart to tap it not worth the risk i dont think.

Username are you still using the stock pump and box in your rig? im slightly worried with a 1.75 it will be a little to slow because i still drive around town a little. on the other hand im worried that if i use a 1.5 ill not have enough force and regret it later. My pump pushes 2.4-2.8 gpm at 1350 psi so i think i should have plenty of flow for now. Also for the length of the ram would you rather have the ram shorter or longer? i feel like shorter so that the ram never pushes against the steering box stops or knuckle stops.

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:45 pm
by Username
PSC box and pump. Ideally the stroke of the ram will be fully extended at one steering stop and fully compressed at the other. Bad things will happen if the stroke is longer.

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 4:46 pm
by CJonLP
Username wrote:Ideally the stroke of the ram will be fully extended at one steering stop and fully compressed at the other. Bad things will happen if the stroke is longer.
This is truth!

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2016 9:18 pm
by redneckrapunzel
Yea i am just doubting that i will be able to get a perfect set up. I am planning on running a supply center ram and they only offer 4",6", or 8" rams so im assuming that it will be slightly off. And planed to go short if needed just making sure my train of thought was correct.

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 9:27 am
by BadAssEddie
Which length travel is closest to your tierod travel currently, 8"? Is there enough adjustability in your steering stops to set the stops to just before each end of travel of the shaft?

How are you going to fix the steering angle issue? Is it driver that steers less than passenger?

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:01 am
by redneckrapunzel
;I dont have any adjustable steering stops, also i think the issue is fixed cause i shorted my tierod before windrock to get eqaul steering im not sure what was goin on the trail i still have to look into it because when my jeep is in 2 wheel drive its fine i have 1.5 turns each way but in 4wd it feels like it goes to 1 turn left and 2 turns right

Re: hydro assist

Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:17 am
by BadAssEddie
redneckrapunzel wrote:;I dont have any adjustable steering stops, also i think the issue is fixed cause i shorted my tierod before windrock to get eqaul steering im not sure what was goin on the trail i still have to look into it because when my jeep is in 2 wheel drive its fine i have 1.5 turns each way but in 4wd it feels like it goes to 1 turn left and 2 turns right
Did the knuckles never have them?