hydro assist help

[anders88xj]

So i put a hydro assist on my jeep and it seemed fine at first. Then it has been sitting for a few months and I started it up and PSF started coming out of the overflow cap hole. It doesnt have a cooler on it but it seemed fine before without it. I will probably put one on but wanted to know what might cause the fluid to shoot out of there? Any thought?

also, does anyone know the link to where you can switch power steering pumps from some of the older xj's that have a different power steering pump.

Thanks

 

[Goatman]

When did fluid start running out of the pump? Just from starting it, or after driving it awhile, or after running a trail?

It's normal for the fluid to heat up and expand and if the level is too high it will run out the vent on the cap. Some people put a hose on the vent and either run loops in the hose to collec the fluid or run it to a catch can. My system is non-vented, so no issues. You do need a cooler. No trail rig on 33's or bigger should run without a cooler on the PS. It's good insurance with smaller tires and absolutely neccesary with bigger tires and assist. When you run assist the fluid first works the stering box and then works the ram, so it collects heat twice and needs to be cooled down.

 

[anders88xj]

its heats up just after a few minutes of turning. I was wondering if anyone had pics of installing a cooler. The low pressure line doesn't look like i can just take it off. Do i need any special fittings? Thanks

 

[Goatman]

Just cut the low pressure hose, from the box to the pump, and add hose to route it through the cooler, then from the cooler to the pump. Why do you need a picture? Use a smaller size tranny cooler which will have slip fittings.

However, if the fluid is heating up that fast something isn't right. Is the assist working?

Maybe you haven't bled the system yet and it's just bubbling air out causing the fluid to puke out. Did you bleed it after installing the ram?

 

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

Sounds to me like there is a lot of air in the system. Is it noisy?

 

[anders88xj]

yea its a little noisy. I didnt do anything special to bleed the air out. What is the procedure on that?

 

[POLAR_JEEP_04]

take the cap off. start the jeep and saw the wheels back and forth. shut the jeep off and wait a few then do it again until there is no bubbles.

 

[Goatman]

To bleed the system, first you cycle the wheels lock to lock multiple times without starting the engine. I do it like 50 times. Then start the engine but don't turn the wheel, do this a few times and look for bubbles in the reservoir. Then start the engine and cycle the wheel lock to lock a few times.

 

[Gravesdiggerxj]

Nice tip. I'll take a look
Bringing this back from the dead. !!!1 At least it's for tech.

My pump gets pissed off and whines at me pushing around my locked 39.5's halfway through the day, plus I run drive flanges so that doesn't help things.

I modded a pump and have yet to swap it because I want to add a cooler and reservoir.

If I want to run an external reservoir, where should I mount it?

Any suggestions on a higher quality power steering fluid that is locally available?

 

[Gravesdiggerxj]

please?

 

[RCman]

If I want to run an external reservoir, where should I mount it?

That is really going to depend on a few things. What's currently going on it your engine bay (i.e. lots of things in the way)? What size is it? How are you planning on getting fluid to the pump in an easy manner? Ideally you want to reservoir as high as you can with the shortest path to the pump.
PSC makes a trick mount for some of their reservoirs that mounts over the MC, but that might not work for you.

Any suggestions on a higher quality power steering fluid that is locally available?

Most everyone I know just uses a good name brand like GM, Prestone or Vavoline. However, Amsoil makes some tractor hydraulic oil that some racers seem to be using with good results. I've yet to run it, so can't give any personal input on it.

 

[4xSanta]

I run Red Line that you can get at most speed shops PSC recommends Royal Purple but its to hard to get here. I have never had the need for a reservoir, I keep my fluid a little low to allow for expansion.....SANTA