Power steering mods for stock truck

[dremu]

So the tow rig just doesn't have quite enough power assist, and I'm thinking about tweaking the pump.

Pump is new reman, as is the box. Truck is hydroboost and all parts are appropriate for same.

Reading the WTO page, they talk about drilling the fitting out; says it's not needed for stock trucks, but would increase flow at idle/low RPM's. This actually sounds like it would be perfect for my situation.

The other mods increase pressure, which would be great for a hydro assist system (their intended audience) but I'm not real clear on whether that would do me any good.

Any thoughts? Use a bigger pulley instead? Just put up with the work required to arm-wrestle that big truck around?

-- A

 

[redneckdude]

a bigger pulley would make it spin slow, therefore less assist from the power steering...and less brakes too since its hydroboost.

 

[dremu]

a bigger pulley would make it spin slow, therefore less assist from the power steering...and less brakes too since its hydroboost.

I thought that a smaller pulley would do that ... lessee, more distance travelled (due to the greater circumference) required to get the same turn speed, so yeah, you're right.

Okay, how about a smaller pulley

I still think it'd be better to tune the pump, yeah?

-- A

 

[Mudstud]

Yea I'd start by tuning the pump. You can always outfit the tow rig with hydro assist using the stock steering set up. WTO does lots of those applications. Call them and talk to Matt- he'll help you figure out your needs and solutions.

 

[dremu]

Yea I'd start by tuning the pump. You can always outfit the tow rig with hydro assist using the stock steering set up. WTO does lots of those applications. Call them and talk to Matt- he'll help you figure out your needs and solutions.

Tow rig is 2WD, so hydro assist could be challenging. Tierod is different, and the crossmember is the size of Rhode Island

Question is, if I'm short on power assist, does that come from flow, or from pressure?

-- A

 

[vortec]

Question is, if I'm short on power assist, does that come from flow, or from pressure?

pressure makes more sense, to me. relief valves in the pump or box could maintain constant pressure even with changing flow. but i don't know the guts of the thing, so i can't swear to it.

good thing to check on. your 35s shouldn't be much harder to move than my 33s, and they are really easy to turn.

 

[dremu]

pressure makes more sense, to me. relief valves in the pump or box could maintain constant pressure even with changing flow. but i don't know the guts of the thing, so i can't swear to it.

good thing to check on. your 35s shouldn't be much harder to move than my 33s, and they are really easy to turn.

'

Heck, these are 235/85-16's (i.e. skinny 32"s) on the towrig! I think since I went hydroboost it's been down a bit... not bad, but I'd like more.

-- A

 

[Chaddy]

I would just stretch the spring. I know that would help a whole lot.

 

[Blue85]

Drilling the fitting does make the steering lighter. In some cases, the same pump goes into several vehicles and the only difference between part numbers is the size of the orifice. At high handwheel speeds, the pump will run out of flow regardless of the pressure setting. Your only choice there is to speed the pump up by increasing engine speed or going to a smaller pulley. But for "parking" type manuevers, drilling helps. Just do it in small steps. The steering can get too light on the highway where effort is low and pump flow is higher.