Topic: hydraulic ram assist steering question

[neale_rs]

I´ve been planning a steering upgrade for my '95 YJ.  My steering box has a lot of play and can no longer be adjusted and the pump seems to be pretty weak too. So in my case, a simple replacement of the gear and pump would be a great "upgrade".  I think a Durango box would be hard to get here so the general plan is:

1) newer TJ steering gear with no play
2) new pump
3) tie rod flip and return to stock pitman arm
4) possible hydraulic ram

1, 2, and 3, I´m pretty sure of but .... Is the hydraulic ram excessive (not enough bang for the buck) given the Jeep has just 33s?

Thanks

[Jeffy]

I think it's a bit excessive.  I would consider high-steering if you're going to be spending that kind of money.

[dwtaylorpdx]

Ford used ram assist steering for years, Grenada's had it as well as several other cars.

Upside, Its powerful.

Downside,
= More hoses and a valve mechanism that can leak. (not KISS)
= It reacts more than assists so it can make the vehicle twitchy on the highway.
= More tie rod ends to maintain.

Funny, my 94 has 220K miles and the original box is tight and smooth. But I've run Amsoil in it for its whole life pretty much.


Dave

[sharpxmen]

question is would you run both (power steering and ram assist)? The only benefit i can see is to get more help with the steering but from my experience with 33x12.50 tires would move those around no problem (never felt like i need to work too hard to turn the wheels) - not sure if you go to 35s, but in that case wouldn't a larger pump be a better and cheaper alternative (i think you need that anyway with the ram assist).  Or maybe for offroad when you're leaning on one side and want to turn your wheels to get out of a ditch?

[Bounty Hunter]

Why would the Durango box be hard to get?

[aw12345]

I guess not so many junk yard to get them from in Mexico, seems to me that a ram is excessive for your size tires, in the plus side it can always be added later if the need arises. The ram or full hydraulic is more something for 37" tires and up

[neale_rs]

Why would the Durango box be hard to get?

The junk yard industry here is not as organized (no car-part.com), I would have to be going to the yards all the time, it would be hit or miss.  Also, cars are kept on the road a lot longer here in general.  A lot of the used cars sold here are brought from the US, the cars nobody wanted any more and had to be auctioned off.  I guess I could get one in the US and import it (or smuggle it in) but it just seems like a hassle. The TJ boxes are available because the Jeep shops sometimes remove then to install PSC boxes, etc.

[neale_rs]

Ok, it sounds like it would be excessive and not KISS.  I'll just do the first three things and have the drag link sleeved.

Thanks for all the comments and advice.

[FourbangerYJ]

Do you have a hard time getting things shipped to Mexico? Can you find a yard on carpart.com that is willing to ship?

[neale_rs]

Maybe one way would be to have it shipped to the US address of an owner of a local Jeep shop.  They import stuff all the time.  They would of course charge a bit for the service but it would be pretty convenient. 

As an aside, it is pretty surprising but the local shops can often sell you a part at the catalog price, with no shipping added.  They must be getting a great discount to make up for the 15% import duty and transportation charges that they absorb.

[neale_rs]

Having it shipped to Mexico is possible but the parts are held at some customs facility until you go claim it and import it.  I've never done it, but it could be a viable option.

Thanks

[neale_rs]

Just an update.  A mechanic I know advised me to change the steering box first (it had about 7" of play at the steering wheel and had been adjusted twice to no avail) so I went ahead and put in a remanufactured box two weekends ago.  

Well, the mechanic was right.  The old box must have been adjusted too tight or had internal leaking since it was significantly harder to turn. The pump is running fine with no noise and the steering is about the lightest I've ever had on any car I've owned.  I also adjusted the steering stops which is nice when parking now.  No tie rod flip for now but will probably get around to it some day.

[jfrabat]

For future references, there are companies (at least in Panama and Costa Rica) that give you a US address, and they take care of all the importing.  Airbox Express operates in both countries here; dont know if they are available in Mexico, but I can write to some of my mexican friends and find out which ones they use if you need...  Of course, they charge for the service, but they deliver to your door and you can order anything of the web.

[neale_rs]

Thanks.  Being only 2 hours from the border makes things easier here in Monterrey. 
Also, the local 4x4 shops often get me parts at the catalog price.  If I ordered to a US address, I would have to pay for shipping.  How do they do it?  I don't know, I suppose they get big dealer discounts from the vendors. It is pretty amazing but I often pay less than someone in the US would pay.

[jfrabat]

Thanks.  Being only 2 hours from the border makes things easier here in Monterrey. 
Also, the local 4x4 shops often get me parts at the catalog price.  If I ordered to a US address, I would have to pay for shipping.  How do they do it?  I don't know, I suppose they get big dealer discounts from the vendors. It is pretty amazing but I often pay less than someone in the US would pay.

Just 2 hours away?  You can probably make a field trip to a US junkyard...