How to turn up the air.

[JimmyThompson]

I recently added an air-operated power steering kit and my buzzer kept going off as I was negotiating some mild off-road driving and braking. Any idea how to remedy this issue? Is it simply "turning up the air" or more involved like plumbing in additional air tanks? Thanks in advance.

 

[RAYZER]

The buzzer should sound when it gets below 60 psi, doe's yours?
Doe's your air system build to full pressure?

 

[JimmyThompson]

It does fill to full pressure in under 5 minutes prior to driving. This new power steering system uses a BUNCH of air.

 

[RAYZER]

I don't think you would want to turn turn the air up and you shouldn't have to add another tank.
Have you checked for other air leaks, loose compressor belt?
Maybe your compressor is worn out and unable to keep up.

 

[RAYZER]

Also, check the compressor intake filter, maybe it's clogged.

 

[JimmyThompson]

I've checked for leaks and the belts appear to be good.

 

[RAYZER]

Also, check the compressor intake filter, maybe it's clogged.

This?

 

[JimmyThompson]

Not as of yet. At work at the moment.

 

[RAYZER]

Hope you can track down the problem, let us know!

 

[doghead]

Steer less. Seriously, the air assist uses a lot of air.

 

[barefootin]

It does fill to full pressure in under 5 minutes prior to driving. This new power steering system uses a BUNCH of air.

I've never timed mine, but the buzzer is off and the gauge is reading close to 70psi by the time I check the drivers side turn signals, pull the drivers side rear chock, and I am reaching in to bump the hand throttle in from 1100rpm down to 900rpm. By the time I do my passenger side walk around its at 90psi....

 

[JimmyThompson]

I'm not sure if it's actually 5 minutes, I was kind of suggesting it doesn't take long to pressurize. However, I gotta steer as much as I do! lol

 

[RAYZER]

Don't have air assist steering myself but have been out in the woods and mountain sides many times with deuces that have it, never heard any low air pressure buzzers go off from steering too much.

 

[Woodsplinter]

I've never had a low pressure issue with my air-o-matic. After I saw this thread, I timed mine and it takes 3 minutes to reach 120 psi. I have been through my air system and it has no detectable leaks. Will hold pressure for at least a week although after that time it's down close to zero.

To the OP, do you have the regulator installed by the frame near the wheel? If so take it out- it is not needed on the M35. You will need a couple of plumbing parts to reconnect the hoses, but easy to find. Also make sure the air is turned up all the way at the valve mounted on the firewall. Try checking the air-o-matic system for leaks while someone else is turning the wheels. It should vent air while changing direction but shouldn't leak anywhere else.

 

[11Echo]

Steer less. Seriously, the air assist uses a lot of air.

The four A2 deuce trucks I own with air assist steering have no problem keeping up with sufficient air supply.

 

[JimmyThompson]

Woodsplinter... I do have the black regulator mounted on the frame. The only place I should get air from is at the replaced "pitman arm", correct? Out of curiosity, why don't I need the regulator???

 

[RAYZER]

I've never had a low pressure issue with my air-o-matic. After I saw this thread, I timed mine and it takes 3 minutes to reach 120 psi. I have been through my air system and it has no detectable leaks. Will hold pressure for at least a week although after that time it's down close to zero.

To the OP, do you have the regulator installed by the frame near the wheel? If so take it out- it is not needed on the M35. You will need a couple of plumbing parts to reconnect the hoses, but easy to find. Also make sure the air is turned up all the way at the valve mounted on the firewall. Try checking the air-o-matic system for leaks while someone else is turning the wheels. It should vent air while changing direction but shouldn't leak anywhere else.

There's a 2nd regulator on the frame?

 

[JimmyThompson]

So I can ditch the regulator in the kit and just use the one that came original to the truck?!!?

 

[gimpyrobb]

The air assist kits originally came with the regulators because some of the trucks that use air assist used higher pressures than the deuce. The regulator was "just part of the kit". The pressures the deuce has, the steering kit doesn't need the regulator.

JT, what pressure does your air governor stop at? What is the max psi on your air gauge?

 

[southdave]

Is it psi issue or volume issue... I got mine the belts where mis routed the pump spun slower four uses of brakes the buzzer would sound