"underdrive" power steering pump?

[DieselJan]

Originally Posted by gascort

I know some off road guys, (4x4 with big, near-flat tires) overdrive their power steering pump by altering the high pressure bypass valve in the pump. They want more help in maneuvering giant tires on steep boulders.

I was curious if anyone knew of someone altering it in the other direction; to reduce the amount of assist. I'd be fine with about 25-50% of the assist I currently get. It would also reduce wheel turn with bump starting during a slight turn. (bump starting during a big turn or a slight turn at high speed is dangerous because of the sudden steering response!)

Hi Gascourt
I know this is a few years late but thought to add it anyway.

Yes you can reduce the load that the power steering has on the engine.
Simply remove the spring called the "flow control spring", shorten it and put everything back together. First you need to drain the power steering fluid to stop spills.

On mine I shortened the spring so that power steering has only enough effect to make parking a bit easier than without power steering. I did a full power steering delete on my previous pickup with loop, but someone needed the vehicle. Haven't seen it since.

With this one I cut the spring shorter until the plunger sits about 3mm above the opening where it circulates back. That gives just enough power steering to make turning easy enough so that you don't have to gym for it. They do sell equivalent springs at some hardware shops, so maybe buy one the same as one in pump and cut it.

Of course it will use a bit more fuel than a full power steering delete, but driving is just more pleasant this way. It's also much more fuel efficient than doing nothing, and much easier and cheaper than full power steering delete. Attached is some diagrams of pumps. The spring is nr.7 on first and nr.8 on second one. I found mine under the high pressure pipe leaving the pump.
Jan

[pete c]

Originally Posted by Formula413

So do you EOC in your Escort? I tried it once in mine (even though I am told it shouldn't be done with an automatic). The brakes were scary, I had almost no stopping power.

EOCing an auto is a really bad idea. First off, it is potentially harmful to the tranny. Next, and more importantly, you do not have the ability to bump start it back to life if you need power immediately.