Redneck Power Steering Upgrade

[Mikegyver1]

I decided to rebuild my power steering box myself rather then buy a junkyard box for 150 or new one for 250
The kit cost $51.95 shipped to my door.  Anyway, I found this bit of information on upgrading your power steering pump to work better when at low idle and over all increased pressure.
 Has anyone tried this?
Mike


First off, I want to clarify that these mods are designed for OFFROAD USE ONLY!!! And any damages that occur as a result of these mods are the resposibility of the owner. we are just trying to help you with ideas on improving power.



This was designed to work with hydro assist steering setups, but I will also explain certain things that can be done to upgrade for regular power steering. It should work on all Jeep pumps and as far as I know all Chevy pumps. They may be adaptable to other types of pumps and we will update as we learn more. All of this can be done with the pump still on the vehicle as long as you have room to remove the pieces.



Step one: Disassembly

[Mikegyver1]

Thes are the 3 main pieces that you should get out of your pump.



#1 is the main fitting. You'll have to remove the high pressure line from this before you remove it.



#2 is the flow piston. It doubles as the housing for the high pressure bypass. If it doesn't fall out then use a magnet to remove it.



#3 is the piston spring. It also can be removed with a magnet or a pic.



Step two: The fitting.(I don't feel that this is neseccary for stock steering.)



Drill out this fitting a few sizes larger than it was. I drill them 1/16-1/8" larger than is comes stock but this may vary from pump to pump. I recommend that you don't go larger than 5/32. The purpose of this is to increase flow from idle to low RPM's.

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[Mikegyver1]

Step 3: Piston (Increasing Pressure)

Place the piston in a vise and remove the end cap. Inside you find the items in the picture above. 



WARNING: I highly recommend doing these mods a little at a time until you've reached a level that you are happy with. But remember, that if you go too far then you could blow the seals out of your box. I've actually built so much pressure that I blew a section of the top of the steering box about 40 feet across the shop. OOPS!



First off, some pumps don't have any shims. Some have one or two. If it does have a shim remove it and try that. I don't recommend doing anymore than that if you are going to run hydro assist but if you are just trying to get more power out of a stock system and that does not give you enough then you can place a small washer in the bottom of the piston housing beneth the spring. A #4 machine washer fits perfect but can be a little too thick. A 3mm washer also works and is slightly thiner. Remember little steps. These mods increase the blowby pressure.

You will also need to grind off some of the limiting stud so that It will still have room to travel. This is so that it doesn't block off all the pressure.

[Mikegyver1]

Step 4: Piston Spring


I have no hard evidence that this works but it does seem to hhelp keep the pressure longer at higher RPM's. Just grab each end of the spring and stretch. I usually try to go between 2 to 2 ? inches. This not  a precise mod as the spring rate does not change. I've also seen a piece of wire wound around the piston housing a couple of times on the area where the spring seats. This will also work.



I hope I've helped everyone that reads this. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please contact me at








Remember to Tread Lightly and Safely



Matt Hodges

West Texas 4Wheel & Offroad

[lqcj8]

Mike at West Texas Offroad aka redneck ram, knows his    , and is a good guy to boot. He has helped me with my hydro-assist a couple of times. I have not done those mods, but I have seen the results & it works good.

I say go for it Mikegyver

[Mikegyver1]

Think I'm going to give it a shot. I never felt like I needed anything more with the hydro assist... Really cool when you can push boulder around just by turning the wheel.. 

[Mikegyver1]

Keep your fingures crossed. I'm filling the pump with PSF....  I rebuild the PS Box and did a mild port and valve job on the pump... 

[Mikegyver1]

Well that didn't work out so good.  puked fluid out the septor shaft like a fire hose when I turn left. Guess I'll pull the new seal out and replace with the old one.... turns great

[Mikegyver1]

Well that fixed it. No more leaks... 

[Mikegyver1]

[newguy2005]

son of a *****  it leaks lol 

[Mikegyver1]

Here's the follow up.. this kit kinda' suks one of the O rings was to big (had to reuse the old one) and the seal on the septor shaft was poorly mfg. (Leaked like a firehose) replaced it with the old one. I bought new bearings also (septor shaft bear was worn). I've got about 20 miles on it and so far so good. I did the steering pump mod. It seem to help. Super easy to do, don't need to remove the pump to do this, a wrench and a socket is all you need. 

[newguy2005]

so far so good? hmmm.. need i mention the oil that was dripping on my forehead when i was welding up your broken tie rod? in the middle of the night?    couldnt resist lmfao

[Mikegyver1]

That was the oil that shot out from the blown seal the first time... I think 

[Mikegyver1]

Follow up on the power steering box rebuild kit.
 I wasn't happy with the quality of this kit, wouldn't waste my money on it again.
Bought this kit from West Texas Off Road

I found a company in Mira Mesa that builds HD / High Pressure  Power steering gear boxes for wanglers , CJ's and Chevys. Standard gear boxes for just about every other make and model. I place my order for a new steering box. I'll check and see if they sell rebuild kits or do other Mods. and post up what I find out.

Car Steering Wholesale
http://www.carsteering.com/

[Toddh]

 For folks running the saginaw pump and want more pressure for free............ pull off high-pressure line, then unscrew #1, then remove #2 and #3 with a magnet. Replace #1, replace your line, fill pump with fluid, then enjoy having easier steering, even if you have a front locker. 

[HEEP4me]

  Thanks mike, I ended up getting a seal and O-RIG kit from KRAGEN. So far so good.

 I put a cooler on it as well.

[Mikegyver1]

Good job....    with any luck I'll have my steering box fixed soon and get back to wheeling. 

[Darthteddy]

Any ill effects of removing 2 and 3?? My willys is a beast to try and steer in 4x4 with the locked front end. Dont wanna break anything more then usual tho. haha

[HEEP4me]

I MAY BE WRONG BUT I BELIEVE IF YOU DO THET IT WILL BLOW OUT YOUR SEALS AND POSSIBLY BLOW APART YOUR BOX..