Power Steering Possibility?

[abh3]

I was browsing through the Surplus Center catalog (yeah, I know, I need to get a life!) and found a 'steering valve/torque generator' that might splice into the steering column shaft: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009101906584132&item=9-7124&catname=hydraulic

This would avoid changing the entire steering box or going completely hydraulic. I'd really like to have P/S on the 'dump deuce' but would like to avoid the worst-case scenario of explaining to a jury the extent of my professional engineering background, etc. if some old P/S box swap or full hydraulic rig fails in a bad way.

Two steering grade U-joints, brackets, five-ton P/S pump, a resevoir, hoses and some fab work would do it. Any thoughts on this, anyone have experience with these devices?

Thanks!

 

[Ride2Kill]

I don't have any experience with them, but looks like a great way to add power steering. One thing to keep in mind is the size of the cylinder you use on the linkage. To big of cylinder will result in very slow steering.

 

[Carl_in_NH]

By the time you're done getting parts and spending your time building, will you have saved anything over the $1200 bolt-on air-assist kits? Sometimes it's just plain fun to build something new - and if that's the case then by all means do what you want - but if all you really want is to make the truck easier to drive, then add up all the costs involved, including your time, and see if you're really saving anything significant.

 

[Westech]

yeah you still have to get the PS pump for the engine.... I bet you be better off with the air kit if you don't have a pump handy.

 

[GoHot229]

Been watching different posts on using Ford Truck stuff and Air-asist and different "what-if"s and I think your on to something, at least close.

 

[mudguppy]

i'd take hydraulic over air anyday, even if it is just "assist". besides the pump, lines, and resevoir, what else are you missing that'd make it cost anywhere close to $1200?

i'd say go for it. even if it performed as well as the air kit (read: as weak as) you'd probably still gain reliability and a lower overall cost.

 

[abh3]

Ridetokill: The beauty of these devices is there is NO hyd. cylinder on the linkage, it's all in the torque generator itself, pressure hose in, return hose out.

Carl_in_NH: I understand what you're saying but I have Air-O-Matic on my A3 (my Pretty Deuce) and it ain't power steering in the usual sense of the word. With the Dump Deuce loaded getting turned around in the woods to dump is a pain, I don't think air assist is the best solution.

Westech: I was thinking about using a 5-ton P/S pump on the front of the engine, I've seen them cheap enough.

Yes, it'll need a relief valve in the circuit but with some shopping around and horse trading I think the parts can be aquired. I figure $450 for the torque generator, $100 for the pump, $40 for a relief valve, got all kinds of hoses, fittings, resevoir around here... I'd just like some input from someone w/ experience with these things on something, anything, before letting fly with the credit card!

 

[fireman9]

Keep in mind that the unit is only rated 1100 inch pounds output = about 92 foot pounds

I'm goning to see how hard it is to turn the steering wheel while parked in the morning.

 

[menofiron]

We Had the same system on a Farmall 400 loader tractor. Don't know if it was the same Cu. inch, but it would not turn the front wheels with any weight in the bucket. Worked very well when moving at all though. Like I said, have no idea what size valve was on the tractor.

Matt

 

[abh3]

92 foot pounds sure doesn't sound like much does it? I've never tried to measure what it takes to turn the wheel but, when loaded especially, it's tough. Add in some rough terrain getting turned around to dump and it's worst. I'm a taller guy and all that flailing around in that small cab can be tough on the elbows!

Maybe I should put a torque wrench on the wheel to see what kind force/resistance is in play here...

 

[yeager1]

92 foot pounds sure doesn't sound like much does it?

Does anyone make a larger size of this unit? Seems like a good idea, but 92 foot pounds does seems a little low, probably on the low end of adaquate for parking lot use. For the trouble to install, a bigger gain, say 150-200 foot pounds would be nice.

 

[falcody]

Doesn't anyone here have any expertise with this style of power steering? I think it's a great idea, and could be built fairly cheap if it will indeed work.

Cody

 

[res0wc18]

hers is some good info on this type of setup
Pacific Customs Sandrail Parts, VW Parts, Dune Buggy Parts, CHARLYNN TORQUE GENERATOR POWER STEERING

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-Hydro_Steering/Char%20Lynn%20Hydaulic%20Steering%20catologue%202003%20part2.pdf

they do come in bigger sizes here is the info on them

http://hydraulics.eaton.com/products/steer_main.htm

and the product catalog here
http://hydraulics.eaton.com/products/pdfs/C-STOV-MC001-E1.pdf

and the install instructions are here
http://hydraulics.eaton.com/products/pdfs/C-STTQ-TI001-E.pdf

 

[GoHot229]

How about a rack and pinion..............no serriously, stay on this, I think you ARE on to something with theese parts, just a bit more figureing parts and pumps. By the way, the power steering pumps from the big block Olds and Buicks from the 70's and 80's were supposed to make considerably more pump presure, and stay togather, than the average Chev or Dodge or GM pumps. Seems they were used for alot of hobby related things that needed a tough hipower pump

 

[res0wc18]

the agr ford super pump does the same, or you could use a engine driven clutch pump like discussed here http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-...87-hydraulic-clutch-pump-ford-super-pump.html

i dont see why the biggest one that char lynn makes would not make a good difference in steering effort

 

[m16ty]

92 foot pounds sure doesn't sound like much does it? I've never tried to measure what it takes to turn the wheel but, when loaded especially, it's tough. Add in some rough terrain getting turned around to dump and it's worst. I'm a taller guy and all that flailing around in that small cab can be tough on the elbows!

Maybe I should put a torque wrench on the wheel to see what kind force/resistance is in play here...

92ft/lbs would make a heck of a difference. I'd bet the air assist doesn't put out near that much at 120psi and the cylinder is mounted were you don't have the advantage of the stock steering gear reduction as you would with the torque generator.

What's the stock gearbox ratio? That would tell you how much torque you'd have at the wheels.

 

[m16ty]

I was browsing through the Surplus Center catalog (yeah, I know, I need to get a life!) and found a 'steering valve/torque generator' that might splice into the steering column shaft: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009101906584132&item=9-7124&catname=hydraulic

I think I'm fixing to bite the bullet on one of these units. Anybody used one?

I'm thinking I could just put this in line on the steering shaft and not have to even add any u-joints.

 

[rustystud]

I think I'm fixing to bite the bullet on one of these units. Anybody used one?

I'm thinking I could just put this in line on the steering shaft and not have to even add any u-joints.

m16ty , I'm with you ! I think this is a great way to fix our steering problems without having to do major surgery on our trucks. It also looks to be a whole lot cheaper too ! I have tried to find a Ross HF54 gear box with no luck, and even if I did, they are so rare and parts so scarce, I'm afraid after going to all the trouble to retrofit it on the truck, something would break and I would be unable to find replacement parts !
I did find a place that sells rebuilt units, but I would not pay there price. So I believe this torque generator just might be a viable option for use.

 

[m-35tom]

this has been discussed several times over the years. my view is that putting additional torque through the old steering box to turn the wheels, is just begging for it to fail.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

Yeah but steering boxes are easily replaceable. Custom parts or even custom hydraulic setups are not cheap.

i think this is the route I'm going too.... I have a few leads on one of these units. i figure $250 to $500 for one of these torque generators plus a belt driven pump for around $100 and then some fab work make my own hoses I should be able to do this for no more then $600 to $650 possibly even a few hundred cheaper.