Quote:
Originally Posted by oil pan 4
Lowering the power steering pump pressure actually doesn't do anything for you while driving down the road, or any time not using power assistance.
When you are not trying to turn the wheel the steering system is in full bypass only making 100psi or so.
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Hi Oil Pan
Shortening the "flow control spring" in the power steering lowers the back pressure the pump has to force against. So in effect the 100psi the pump has to pump against is lowered to maybe 20psi guest-amating. This reduces the torque the engine has to put on the pump, so it turns the pump easier.
I agree that the bypass valve/ flow control valve will open up enough that all the oil that is pumped can go back to the input of the pump while not turning. So it is in effect in full bypass.
I have shortened the spring progressively and every time I could feel it takes a bit more effort to steer. Now it is at a level where I am comfortable with it. The engine can also now idle much slower without roughly shaking than the day I bought it. It must be the alternator mod and power steering pressure.
We had a same make pickup at work which was just the opposite, it was extremely sensitive to steering. When hitting potholes it would jump left or right and was difficult to keep straight.