Electric Clutch Power Steering

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by tony_2018

What are your gains with the underdrive pulleys, are they the Lightweight?

Unfortunately, the wind won't stop blowing long enough so I can get the truck out for some testing. So, I can't give you any data. I can tell it freed up some HP. AIRRAM's website says the underdrive is worth 7-8 hp, if I remember correctly. Yes, it is 3 pounds lighter than the OEM pulley. I weighed them both.

[edit] I've driven my truck without the belt turning the power steering pump. Above about 20 mph you can't tell the difference...

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

What happens if you're cruising down the highway and have to swerve?

Turn the wheel, at highway speed there is surprisingly little difference between P/S and no P/S.
With no P/S you are less likely to over correct.

I take it you never tried driving something with no P/S.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by justme1969

This must be another new thing as I worked at auto stupid back in 97 and 98 and they did sell them then. I will explore this a little.
Mabe just a sorry sales person, I also get them most of the time.
Look for an auto stupid in amongst or near dealerships, that is going to be a supplier yes your genuine GM ends up being guess who lots of times?

I just checked on Ebay, searched for ac compressor clutch...and it seems you can buy one now! New AC Compressor Clutch Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999 2004 6CYL 6GROOVES | eBay
Hmmm, might have another project to undergo now.

(edit) Frank, which vehicle are you NOT using the power steering? On my truck it's rather difficult to turn from a stand still (not good with golfer's elbow). But if I could remove the entire ps system, that weight savings would be nice. And, I forgot, when I tried it, I left all the fluid in the system and all the hoses connected. If I'd connected the rack to itself, I think it would have been easier to steer.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

Good luck performing a swerve and recover manouver at speed w/o PS.

This is not an issue at anything over a few MPH. I have been driving my 98 Civic DX without PS for over two years now, 30K miles. As Frank Lee and others with experience will tell you, you'll only really feel a difference at stationary or a few mph.

[Frank Lee]

(edit) Frank, which vehicle are you NOT using the power steering? On my truck it's rather difficult to turn from a stand still (not good with golfer's elbow).

The "Sport Coupe" Tempo.

I'm always coupling/decoupling from trailers with the F150 so the power steering is going to stay on that one. Plus I don't think it'll make a noticeable fe change on it.

Got a Tracer I'd like to hit 50mpg with; best fe was 42 so I'll have to see what it'll take to bypass the power steering on that one.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

This is not an issue at anything over a few MPH. I have been driving my 98 Civic DX without PS for over two years now, 30K miles. As Frank Lee and others with experience will tell you, you'll only really feel a difference at stationary or a few mph.

Yes, I take back what I said earlier. I drove many miles with a non PS 4.1 Ford and held many a slide. I was thinking about the van I just bought that hardly steers with PS and I have yet to get to the bottom of that.

I was also thinking that simply disconnecting the PS pump makes the steering heavier than if the car originally had manual steering, as the ratio is usually different, but I realise it's only 10-20%.

In fact I have a spare A/C unit with clutch

[Weather Spotter]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

What happens if you're cruising down the highway and have to swerve?

having driven with a "broken" PS system for 9 months or more, at any speeds over 15 MPH its hard to tell its not there. at low speeds it just takes more effort to turn the wheel.

[justme1969]

OK I dont really have the time to research it properly but there are some options I think I would go to a upull it myself, just so that I could match shaft size to clutch because from limited memory we stocked 11 diff clutch assy. back then.

12V Auto Air Conditioning Clutch For TOYOTA Coaster (AC.106.002)

Santech/Clutch hub for Denso 10PA (MT2302) | A/C Clutch and Parts | AutoZone.com


I have not tried JC whitney either but NAPA showed one in first 10 pages for old school dodge.

If I could only recall the name of the company????
Sorry folks thats my best ten minutes without including e-bay or similar searches.
Also that NAPA unit was a first 10 pages search probbably more in there.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I'm always coupling/decoupling from trailers with the F150 so the power steering is going to stay on that one. Plus I don't think it'll make a noticeable fe change on it.

For a large vehicle like a full size pickup or big SUV I calculated that it will only offer about a 1/2mpg improvement on the highway.
If you can do it (delete or clutch the P/S) for under $100 it could be worth it.

[justme1969]

It would be awesome for a throttle sensitive switch mabe disconnect @ 1800 rpm? Not sure application is key but a toggle switch to flip on when parking would be Jazzy for my app.
But the undieing POS KIA needs none, I cant even remember what that car felt like with it now. Also for the others it has no issue about control steering or panic motions its rack n pinion unit probbably does better in those applications without due to true feeling for response.