Home Brew Steering

[FireTruck]

...the other thing that I didn't mention was that with a single ended cylinder, you get more turning force in one direction than you do in the other - due to the displacement of the shaft on one side.

With a single ended cylinder I am not sure how it would behave in regards to return to centre either... not that it should matter much for a rockcrawler, but with the POS system it returns to centre when driving just like any other regular steering setup.

S.

[Wooders]

Hey Shane is the Firetruck headed to Unrego'ed territory with full Hydro steer?
My engineer wouldn't have a bar of it unless we were talking tractor rego. (although he will allow rear with a mechanical lockout).

[FireTruck]

It's still rego'd, but I never (ever) drive it on the road (ever)... and probably never will.

You live in NSW.

S.

[wendle]

Originally Posted by FireTruck

...the other thing that I didn't mention was that with a single ended cylinder, you get more turning force in one direction than you do in the other - due to the displacement of the shaft on one side.

With a single ended cylinder I am not sure how it would behave in regards to return to centre either... not that it should matter much for a rockcrawler, but with the POS system it returns to centre when driving just like any other regular steering setup.

S.

the difference in force left/right isn't noticable. it is a c_ntload of force both ways, so you don't really pick it up. especially considering that force is always different one way to the other depending on sidehill or where the tyres are jammed up against, etc..

return to centre is based around a load reactive orbital, which doesn't work with a single ended ram due to the fluid unbalance in the system. for a straight out rockcrawler it is arguably better to have no return to centre, as you can point the wheels somewhere and forget about them while you concentrate on other things. that's more about personal preference and driving style though..

one thing i forgot to say before is you should limit the travel of your ram to suit your steering throw, standard steering stops don;t last long when the ram is trying to push the knuckles off the housing. tie-rods and rod ends don't cop it well either no matter how beef you make them.

[wendle]

Originally Posted by FireTruck

The vacuum line from the reservoir to the pump should be as short as possible, and at least -10 rated. In general I have seen recomendations of no longer than 16" in places, and no longer than a couple of feet in places, and no longer than a foot in places... basically as short as possible

this is where the factory type pumps with built in resivoirs shine. half your cavitation and lock problems disappear when you get rid of that particular hose.

[Jimmyb]

I am unsure how the setup works for setting the lock to lock and also the travel of the ram? I that based on the orb?

[zzzz]

Originally Posted by JimmyB

I am unsure how the setup works for setting the lock to lock and also the travel of the ram? I that based on the orb?

I am not sure the valve has anything to do with it...

I believe the travel of the ram is directly related to the size and stroke of the ram, and also where you position it on the diff housing.
Measure carefully for the brackets