Rottenbelly
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Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 22, 2013 19:22:56 GMT -6
Working on installing the Redneck Ram hydro assist system on my rig. Kit comes with a ported steering box, hoses, ram and ram mounts. I added a heat sink can type cooler and a small inline filter.  I am setting my ran up to push from the diff towards the knuckle. I have heard of too many tie rods getting pushed out in the middle from the force of the ram. Clyde helped me get a ram mount welded on here.  I used a synergy tie rod clamp and welded the ram mount brackets to it so I can still loosen it to adjust if needed. I am running a ruff stuff tie rod kit. Pushing out on the knuckle here.  I mounted my cooler and in line filter behind the grill and in front of my tranny cooler. I cut and spliced into the low pressure return line.  |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 22, 2013 19:28:41 GMT -6
Before you start getting into tear down mode make sure your steering wheel is centered and strap it down so it can't move. Otherwise you can destroy your clock spring. I ran a tie down around the brake pedal and wheel.  Ok, now you can commence to tearing down. Take the bolt out of the steering linkage to gear box. (13mm)  Then take the 21mm out of the draglink at the pitman arm.  |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 22, 2013 19:30:15 GMT -6
And I actually finished it today but ran into a problem with my steering pump, so tomorrow I have to tear it all down. So I will have more pics of the install afterwards.
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Post by coony278 on Jul 22, 2013 19:36:25 GMT -6
Great info , we fixin to set one up on Felicio and lots of info there I can use. Looking forward to more pics!
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Post by slinky on Jul 22, 2013 19:55:07 GMT -6
make sure and show how the hoses are ran from the pump to the ram.too...  |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 22, 2013 20:05:40 GMT -6
make sure and show how the hoses are ran from the pump to the ram.too... LOL, yeah, learn from my mistakes!!  |
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Post by Weezul on Jul 22, 2013 21:19:34 GMT -6
I want hydro assist! Would have to get a new steering setup first though.
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Post by Somebody on Jul 22, 2013 21:36:44 GMT -6
make sure and show how the hoses are ran from the pump to the ram.too...  |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 23, 2013 3:47:02 GMT -6
That diagram wouldn't work with the redneck ram setup due to fitting locations. My ram was going opposite of my steering and I ended up sticking the piston open in the pump.
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Post by Somebody on Jul 23, 2013 6:46:51 GMT -6
That diagram wouldn't work with the redneck ram setup due to fitting locations. My ram was going opposite of my steering and I ended up sticking the piston open in the pump. Yeah I wondered if that was the same for every setup.. I use to have a write up on how the lines ran straight from the box itself but now I can;t find it.. |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 23, 2013 18:40:35 GMT -6
Ok, even thought my setup still isn't working. ( power steering pump went out, already had no power steering to the right before this.) Here are some more steps. Pull out the radiator overflow bottle and move it out the way. ( Pulls right up outta the way.)  That gives you room to get your hoses unhooked here. ( This is the ported box already, took it out today to clean system while I wait for pump to come in.) I marked my hoses front and rear so I could remember where they go.  Once the hoses and drag link are unhooked undo these 4 18mm bolts. Then wrestle that greased up box outta there.  I dont have any pics of the pitman arm swap. But I layed the 2 boxes side by side and counted the rotations of the steering shaft input and divided it by half to center the pitman arm. Box is ready to go back in.  |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 23, 2013 18:49:29 GMT -6
Notice on the picture of the steering box above. The steering shaft has a notch on the bottom for the bolt. That also helps your reference to make sure the pitman arm is centered, since your steering wheel was strapped down to start, that was how it came off. It is critical that its centered or your computer will flip out and could possibly cause clock spring problems. Ok I got the box back in and ram mounted. If yours is set up like this the port for the hydro assist pointing up from the top of the box goes to the driver side port on ram. The port further down on the side goes to my passenger side.   Thats all I got today, hope to have a new pump in tomorrow to try it out. |
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 23, 2013 19:03:33 GMT -6
When you get that all installed you can start bleeding the system. Jack up the front end and get the tires off the ground.
Fill up your reservoir and turn the key but don't start it.
Then start turning lock to lock about 100 times, ok maybe 10 at a time, check the reservoir and keep topping it off.
It will eventually start getting a little harder to turn. When the level quits going down, you can start it for a second and turn it right back off and the fluid will probably draw down some.
Then I topped it off and turned lock to lock again about 10 times, then bumped the engine over and turned right back off.
When it finally quits drawing the fluid down its time to start it up.
Precautionary tip!!!
The first time you start it and turn the wheel I would unhook the traveling end of ram and make sure it's turning the same direction as needed.
Then hook it up, fire it up, turn it lock to lock ONE time and turn it off. ( The pump may sound like crap when you first do this if there is still air in system.)
Go have another beer and let the bubbles work there way out for about 30 minutes.
If the level stayed up and pumps not squealing like a pig you most likely did it right and are ready to test it out.
the bleeding of the system takes a while but Just take your time so the pump won't cavitate when you start it up.
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Post by mike on Jul 23, 2013 21:48:44 GMT -6
Having power steering in one direction and not in the other direction is caused by the steering box and not the pump.
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Rottenbelly
Full Member
Posts: 315
Location: Cedar City, Utah
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Post by Rottenbelly on Jul 24, 2013 6:26:07 GMT -6
Having power steering in one direction and not in the other direction is caused by the steering box and not the pump. That's what I thought to. I got a brand new box on it now.  The first day I fired it up and tested it I didn't unhook the one end of the ram. When it didn't end up working and started troubleshooting it we found out the ram was going backwards to the steering. I called west Texas Offroad and the guy said I shouldn't have even been able to turn it if the pump was working and ram was backwards. He said to check the piston in the pump and make sure system was clean. So I did all that, checked piston, felt a little gritty, put everything back together and still no go. And pump was quite. Got all my fingers and toes crossed that its the pump, otherwise I am outta ideas. Want to get it together so I can make the run this weekend! |
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Just remember...we give them back in 10 months 
It's alive!! 
