blistovmhz
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, BC
98xj, 5.3L, WJ knuckles, 1 ton steering, driving 35's.
Only reason I'm doing a ram is because I keep blowing up sector shaft bearings and seals. I picked up all the metal to build a brace but then everyone recommended just doing hydro assist as it should solve my original problem, plus give me more steering power, for barely more investment.
I don't like kits. I prefer building everything myself. I know what I COULD do to guarantee success here (with the ram assist), but I also like to know where the limits are and how little I can get away with.
Picked up a 1.5" bore, 8" stroke ram, fittings and hose. Tapped a stock XJ box (no idea if it's any good, but figure it'll do for a test). I've also got a durango box on the Jeep now, but it's of course in need of a new sector shaft bearing, and I've got lots of XJ boxes to mess up. The tap went okay and it's ready to install later today, but I'm wondering about fluid volume.
Most guys say you need to add about 10% more fluid to the system with a ram, but 1. That seems like a number pulled directly out of someones ass, as it doesn't take into account the ram bore, box bore, hose lengths, pump pressure/volume, tire size... and 2. Every time I hear that number, it's explained that it's because the ram requires some fluid, which is correct, but that fluid will be stored in one side of the ram or the other when you fill and bleed the system.
I understand that adding a cooler is a good idea regardless, and I'll probably do that once I know my system works, but the reservoir is where I'm stuck.
Most guys say the second reservoir should be mounted above the stock pump/reservoir, but if you mount the secondary above the primary, it'll gravity feed to the primary, so the primary should always end up filled right to the top (not good for when you need to take a look at your fluid). Where should the reservoir be located? I figure it should be fine if it was mounted roughly level with the primary.
Second, 10% isn't much and it seems to me that a big filter canister should provide that much volume. Can pick up a hydraulic/oil filter assembly and filter for $30. They're a top input, bottom feed style filter so I figure it should work, assuming it's not too restrictive. Was thinking a 3/8 or 1/2" NPT input/output should be sufficient, to go along with my 1/4" NPT high pressure lines. Does this sound about right?
The system in my head goes like this:
* Pump high pressure > steering box. Steering box HP (tapped) > ram left and right. Steering box LP > oil filter/canister. Filter > LP input on stock reservoir.
Should this work?
Also, anyone know with high confidence, what the LP side of the steering system pressure is ? I've heard it should always be well below 100psi. The filter I'm looking at is rated to 150psi @100% duty.
(Yes, I'll be adding stops to the enormous 8" stroke ram. Just got it instead of a 6" because it was $40 cheaper and future proofs me in the event I pick up an axle with more steering).
Only reason I'm doing a ram is because I keep blowing up sector shaft bearings and seals. I picked up all the metal to build a brace but then everyone recommended just doing hydro assist as it should solve my original problem, plus give me more steering power, for barely more investment.
I don't like kits. I prefer building everything myself. I know what I COULD do to guarantee success here (with the ram assist), but I also like to know where the limits are and how little I can get away with.
Picked up a 1.5" bore, 8" stroke ram, fittings and hose. Tapped a stock XJ box (no idea if it's any good, but figure it'll do for a test). I've also got a durango box on the Jeep now, but it's of course in need of a new sector shaft bearing, and I've got lots of XJ boxes to mess up. The tap went okay and it's ready to install later today, but I'm wondering about fluid volume.
Most guys say you need to add about 10% more fluid to the system with a ram, but 1. That seems like a number pulled directly out of someones ass, as it doesn't take into account the ram bore, box bore, hose lengths, pump pressure/volume, tire size... and 2. Every time I hear that number, it's explained that it's because the ram requires some fluid, which is correct, but that fluid will be stored in one side of the ram or the other when you fill and bleed the system.
I understand that adding a cooler is a good idea regardless, and I'll probably do that once I know my system works, but the reservoir is where I'm stuck.
Most guys say the second reservoir should be mounted above the stock pump/reservoir, but if you mount the secondary above the primary, it'll gravity feed to the primary, so the primary should always end up filled right to the top (not good for when you need to take a look at your fluid). Where should the reservoir be located? I figure it should be fine if it was mounted roughly level with the primary.
Second, 10% isn't much and it seems to me that a big filter canister should provide that much volume. Can pick up a hydraulic/oil filter assembly and filter for $30. They're a top input, bottom feed style filter so I figure it should work, assuming it's not too restrictive. Was thinking a 3/8 or 1/2" NPT input/output should be sufficient, to go along with my 1/4" NPT high pressure lines. Does this sound about right?
The system in my head goes like this:
* Pump high pressure > steering box. Steering box HP (tapped) > ram left and right. Steering box LP > oil filter/canister. Filter > LP input on stock reservoir.
Should this work?
Also, anyone know with high confidence, what the LP side of the steering system pressure is ? I've heard it should always be well below 100psi. The filter I'm looking at is rated to 150psi @100% duty.
(Yes, I'll be adding stops to the enormous 8" stroke ram. Just got it instead of a 6" because it was $40 cheaper and future proofs me in the event I pick up an axle with more steering).
Last edited:
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