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dkv · 03-07-2011, 03:25 AM

Hi folks...I'm dk and new here so forgive me if I repeat anything already covered, although most of the posts I have read about dropping the belt off the P/S pump are a few hundred years old

.

FWIW..I would like address the P/S system as a whole as I have read some thought about the systems that are misunderstood..

Reason P/S gets heavy when there is no power assist is primarily due to the fluid YOU have to now push through the system with the steering wheel.

If you drain ALL the fluid from the system, including the rack or box, the steering will be much lighter.

Without the pump being driven there is no fear you will damage anything in the steering train with the fluid drained..

To really drain the system you need to blow all the fluid out with air pressure down the pressure line.

If you increase tyre pressure to the side wall indicated max' this helps to.
( Changing back to cross ply will help too!

)

( Off thread slightly...) Don't over inflate as this breaks cords in the tyre. All tyres used in the USA have a MAX pressure recommendation on the side wall. I use a 8ply tyre rated at 65psi on my Westy..........

If you are needing power assist even then, you could use a 12 vdc motor like they use on truck cab rams or similar where the pump is a starter motor body.

I know...starter motors are not continuous duty motors. So...the cure?

If you have a few engineering skills it is possible to build a P/S system to give you full time P/S and yet have the motor to pressurize the system come on intermittently.

Having a system that kicks in at idle or when the throttle is closed is not a good idea. This can produce some unwanted input to the system that will one day catch you by surprise.....and due to Sod's Law...it WILL .

My idea is as follows...although I have not built one yet.....that's for the future.................

As I said..some fire and semi truck cabs have an electric hydraulic pump run from the 12 volt system to lift the cab..these should be more than enough for a P/S system with a usual max' pressure demand of 400psi.

Other motors come from snow plows and tail lifts.

These pumps are built from 12vdc Starter Motors ...about 1/2 hp and up.

You will need a pressure reservoir and a Hobbs switch or similar to limit the pressure and cut the motor.

My only problem at present is coming up with a pressure reserve tank or accumulator with sufficient volume to not kick the pump in every few seconds.

Perhaps one of those Engine Oil Pre Lubers maybe....?....or perhaps one of these...draft beer/co2 tanks good to 1,800 psi.

No doubt someone here has a source for those. Gotta be cheap though

.

Any ideas ?

regards

dk

03-07-2011, 03:25 AM	#19 (permalink)
dkv Somewhere Coasting Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: USA Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Power Steering Belt Deleat. Hi folks...I'm dk and new here so forgive me if I repeat anything already covered, although most of the posts I have read about dropping the belt off the P/S pump are a few hundred years old . FWIW..I would like address the P/S system as a whole as I have read some thought about the systems that are misunderstood.. Reason P/S gets heavy when there is no power assist is primarily due to the fluid YOU have to now push through the system with the steering wheel. If you drain ALL the fluid from the system, including the rack or box, the steering will be much lighter. Without the pump being driven there is no fear you will damage anything in the steering train with the fluid drained.. To really drain the system you need to blow all the fluid out with air pressure down the pressure line. If you increase tyre pressure to the side wall indicated max' this helps to. ( Changing back to cross ply will help too! ) ( Off thread slightly...) Don't over inflate as this breaks cords in the tyre. All tyres used in the USA have a MAX pressure recommendation on the side wall. I use a 8ply tyre rated at 65psi on my Westy.......... If you are needing power assist even then, you could use a 12 vdc motor like they use on truck cab rams or similar where the pump is a starter motor body. I know...starter motors are not continuous duty motors. So...the cure? If you have a few engineering skills it is possible to build a P/S system to give you full time P/S and yet have the motor to pressurize the system come on intermittently. Having a system that kicks in at idle or when the throttle is closed is not a good idea. This can produce some unwanted input to the system that will one day catch you by surprise.....and due to Sod's Law...it WILL . My idea is as follows...although I have not built one yet.....that's for the future................. As I said..some fire and semi truck cabs have an electric hydraulic pump run from the 12 volt system to lift the cab..these should be more than enough for a P/S system with a usual max' pressure demand of 400psi. Other motors come from snow plows and tail lifts. These pumps are built from 12vdc Starter Motors ...about 1/2 hp and up. You will need a pressure reservoir and a Hobbs switch or similar to limit the pressure and cut the motor. My only problem at present is coming up with a pressure reserve tank or accumulator with sufficient volume to not kick the pump in every few seconds. Perhaps one of those Engine Oil Pre Lubers maybe....?....or perhaps one of these...draft beer/co2 tanks good to 1,800 psi. No doubt someone here has a source for those. Gotta be cheap though. Any ideas ? regards dk Last edited by dkv; 03-07-2011 at 04:21 AM..