Hydro assist install update, pump mods.

[camok5]

3 days of wheeling The Hammers and not one problem from the steering. It worked flawlessly...I wouldn't have been able to do the trails I did without it. We did Sledge, Aftershock, Sunbonnet and I made a a pretty good attempt at Back Door. Steering worked fine on all of them. My clutch linkage as another story though...

Not sure if you answered this in another thread but after all this time I was wanting to know how your steering has been doing? Did the pump mods kill the pump and how about the ram you were using, is it still working?

 

[4X4HIGH]

Joe doesn't even own this truggy anymore and his buddy blew it up so it's not even running now.

 

[70jimmy]

I did this mod about 8 months ago and my pump still works fine. I drive on street and trail. No issues so far with the pump. My pump was also original equipment from 1970. Because of the oblong shape of the reservior I haven't been able to get anything to stay on top for extra fluid capacity so I think I will just upgrade to the newer style.

 

[garlicbreath]

So the radiator hose is for extra capacity, not for burping?

 

[TruckNutzDude]

I thought I'd bring this one back up since I FINALLY did the flow mod's to my pump this morning. I drilled the main fitting to 5/32 and I cut the slot across the end of it as well. I didn't touch the spring or do any pressure mod's and I'm very happy with my idle/low RPM steering.

Part of my slow steering may be due to the fact that I tapped my box last year and I still had some metal shavings in there which got caught in the filter I have in my return hose. It wasn't a significant amount but it was enough to make me glad it got caught in a filter instead of my pump.

I also installed an XJ steering shaft which firmed up the feel at the wheel.

Next on my list is the pressure mod's and then install the PS cooler I got off a 2000'something Grand Caravan.

 

[garlicbreath]

Part of my slow steering may be due to the fact that I tapped my box last year and I still had some metal shavings in there which got caught in the filter I have in my return hose. It wasn't a significant amount but it was enough to make me glad it got caught in a filter instead of my pump.

What kind of filter did you put in the return line?

 

[TruckNutzDude]

What kind of filter did you put in the return line?

It's a little screen that goes inside the return hose, I got it from autozone when I worked there. The guy at the counter probably won't know what it is or where it is in the store but it should be by the pumps in the back... The part number is 20-FLT1 it has a lifetime warranty on it and cost $14.99

 

[muddermilitia]

btt for a great thread

 

[70jimmy]

I recently swapped out my motor for TBI out of a 93 Sub and swapped my modded fittings to this power steering pump and still works well. So these mods have the same benefits on the newer style pumps also. FYI.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I modified the 6-7 year old pump (exactly as the writeup states) in mine and it made a huge difference. Then I gradually noticed the steering getting weaker so I had the pump warrantied (but kept the modified parts).

The new pump immediately blew the seals out of the steering box. I put the stock fittings back into the rebuilt pump and its stronger now than it ever has been.

I think that a strong pump is more important than making these mods, just my .02 of course.