Power Steering Pump Modification


WARNING: Modifing any component on your Scout can be dangerous.The author of page assumes no responsibility or liability, either directly or implied.

  Putting larger tires on your Scout Increases the stress on the
steering  components that can cause slower & harder 
steering movement. The Cure for the problem is raise the
steering pump pressure. This easy, but  messy procedure 
greatly improves steering responsiveness 
 Remove the pump from the vehicle and disconnect the high
pressure hose from the power steering unit. Next, unscrew
the housing fitting wich requires a one inch socket or wrench.
Behind this fitting is a valve, the end of the valve has a hollow
bolt with a screen on the end of it.  Remove the bolt and take out the shims that are under it . This increases spring 
pressure inside the valve. Reassemble the valve the same way
that it was taken out.

 Another modification is to inlarge the sized fitting hole. The 
increase should not exeed .025 larger than the original 
hole size. This modification increases the volume oil which
augments the improvements of higher pump pressure.

 On my truck the second procedure was not necessary.  Removing the shims was enough improvement to compensate
for the extra drag produced by the 33 inch tires.  When the
33s were first installed, I could not turn the steering wheel from
left to right while the vehicle was standing still ideling on 
pavement.  After completion of the modification, I was
able to turn the steering wheel with the effort of two fingers.
This modification also helps keep your vehicle tracking 
straight while on  rough roads. The higher the pressure 
decreases tire jerking movement in the direction of the
bump or dip in the road.



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