What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Hydro questions...

8

84gmcjimmy

1 ton status
Joined
Dec 3, 2003
Posts
12,836
Reaction score
0
Location
B.C. CANADA
As usual, I have been getting confused over things on here. So as usual, I must ask. What is hydro steer, and what does it do? Also what are the disadvantages/advantages of having it.
Secondly what is hydro assist? What does it do? And what are the advantages/disadvantages of using it.

I hope I got these terms right. Confused /forums/images/graemlins/1zhelp.gif Thanks 'oh smart ones /forums/images/graemlins/bow.gif
 
Hydro steering is full hydraulic. There is no steering box, or draglink. There is a ram mounted on the tie-rod that does all the steering. Not approved for on-road use really I think it's kinda slow.

Hydro assist is your normal crossover steering setup with a ram mounted to the tie-rod. You tap into your steering box to power the ram, and it works in conjunction with your normal steering. Safe to use for daily driver.

Somebody else will chime in or just try to search for "hydro" /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
 
Keep in mind that with full hydro there is absolutely no mechanical connection between the wheels and the steering wheel, and that is why it's just too scary for road use.
 
Would full hydro be good for my blazer, it won't see pavement, besides the driveway, and it will be used mostly in mud, and some rocks? I am trying to plan out what I need for the build up. Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
You've got a long way to go before you talk about hydraulic steering. Worry about other things long before that.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You've got a long way to go before you talk about hydraulic steering. Worry about other things long before that.

[/ QUOTE ]

With Full-hydro he won't have to worry about his steering box ripping off his frame /forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

Chris
 
around these parts there are more full hydro steering vehicles running around the roads than you can shake a stick at!
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You've got a long way to go before you talk about hydraulic steering. Worry about other things long before that.

[/ QUOTE ]

With Full-hydro he won't have to worry about his steering box ripping off his frame /forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif

Chris

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah trust me it's been seriously considered!!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Keep in mind that with full hydro there is absolutely no mechanical connection between the wheels and the engine, and that is why it's just too scary for road use.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummmm, what? As far as I know, my stock steering isn't mechanically linked to my engine.... Maybe I'm missing some pieces?
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Keep in mind that with full hydro there is absolutely no mechanical connection between the wheels and the engine, and that is why it's just too scary for road use.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummmm, what? As far as I know, my stock steering isn't mechanically linked to my engine.... Maybe I'm missing some pieces?

[/ QUOTE ]

Grr...typo. I meant between the steering wheel and the wheels. dunno how I typed that out.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Keep in mind that with full hydro there is absolutely no mechanical connection between the wheels and the engine, and that is why it's just too scary for road use.

[/ QUOTE ]

Grr...typo. I meant between the steering wheel and the wheels. dunno how I typed that out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummmm, what? As far as I know, my stock steering isn't mechanically linked to my engine.... Maybe I'm missing some pieces?

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank God. Thought I was piloting a death trap there for a minute /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
You've got a long way to go before you talk about hydraulic steering. Worry about other things long before that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes yes I know, I'm just planning out so I know later after I get everything built up if I want it or not, so I don't put money towards something that isn't needed. I'm just filling my brain with information for the future. Sorry /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif
 
Full hydro is great for the trails. My jeep has full hydro. I need to drill out the fitting in the back of the pump to increase the turning speed. As far as on road use, I don't know, there are other things beside steering that make me not want to drive mine down the road at high speeds. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif/forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

The downside is if you blow a line or have a leak, you lose all steering with no fluid in it. I had this happen recently, it's no fun trying to get off a rock trail with no steering. /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif Luckily mine was just a leak, so we could keep adding fluid to get it off the trail.

The good thing about it is, You can turn the wheels easier, even when jammed against rocks, and you can use the steering to move the front end over if you need to.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Full hydro is great for the trails. My jeep has full hydro. I need to drill out the fitting in the back of the pump to increase the turning speed. As far as on road use, I don't know, there are other things beside steering that make me not want to drive mine down the road at high speeds. /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif/forums/images/graemlins/rotfl.gif

The downside is if you blow a line or have a leak, you lose all steering with no fluid in it. I had this happen recently, it's no fun trying to get off a rock trail with no steering. /forums/images/graemlins/yikes.gif Luckily mine was just a leak, so we could keep adding fluid to get it off the trail.

The good thing about it is, You can turn the wheels easier, even when jammed against rocks, and you can use the steering to move the front end over if you need to.

[/ QUOTE ]

But with hydro assist you can do pretty much everything you could with full hydro and still have mechanical steering should your pump fail or you blow a line. IMO hydro assist is the way to go for reliability if nothing else.
 
How strong is the ram in a hydro assist system? I have never driven a truck with one. I do know my steering will easily move the jeep over if I put a tire against a rock or tree.

I do know after losing steering last weekend in the rocks, having a mechanical link so that I could still steer at least somewhat would have been great.
 
I wouldn't want to lose my steering just because a line blew, so I think I should eventually get just the hydro assist. Am I right?
 
Like I said, I don't know much at all about hydro assist, but is there an orbital valve in the system? As you turn the wheel, what determines whether the ram is extending or retracting?

As far as blowing lines, I don't think it's that much of a problem as long as you inspect them regularly and use quality lines. My problem had to do with a new motor installed with new p/s pump, the line was a flare fitting, the pump needed an O-ring fitting. Never crossed my mind, and it never leaked until I got a lot of stress on it in the rocks. /forums/images/graemlins/doah.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Like I said, I don't know much at all about hydro assist, but is there an orbital valve in the system? As you turn the wheel, what determines whether the ram is extending or retracting?

[/ QUOTE ]

You tap into the veins in the steering box and as fluid flows through it, it will flow to the ram and move it either direction.
 
I'm in the process of doing the hydro assist to my truck /forums/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif
hopefully it all works out
if your wandering how to put it together this is the best info that i found hydro assist steering how to they are putting this one on a dodge but the chev uses the same box check it out /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom