Power Steering Possibility?

[welldigger]

About to install air o matic on my truck. Good write up m16y. As for the torque valve, they can be had brand new from maradyne. They are still making the air o matic for the m35. They aren't cheap though. I would attempt a rebuild even if I failed before I bought a new one. My kit is n.o.s. So hopefully all will be ok with it. We will see.

 

[offroadexpeditions]

I need the power steering box which can operate the twin steering from two 2-1/2 steering axles. I assume that Ross HF54 box is the one from M800 series 5 ton trucks, used with the ram on the passenger side? Is it possible to use the box without the ram, and still have the true power steering? Thanks, Peter

I wanted a SAFE steering system at a low cost and looked at the OEM systems for guidance. Some things you won't find on OEM on-road trucks: full hydraulic steering, torque generators, steering servos, jam nuts, etc. There are already two good solutions: the HF54 and Tom's kit. IMHO, the rest are crap shortcuts. My generalization is that Tom's kit requires $$$, the ross system requires some work on the part of the installer/ owner. If you don't want to buy Tom's kit and instead want to do the ross box, you will have to scrounge the yards and make some custom parts. I bought a new box for $250 and a used one for $175 with pitman arm. I don't know what else to say other than look harder.

 

[panzerwillie]

I put a torque multiplier on my half track {OT-810} 2 weeks ago and i tell you no one could move the steering wheel with out it moving and applying the track brakes now you can turn it with one finger standing steal i am very impress not sure how if it is street legal but feels like my M52A2 use to feel...

 

[gimpyrobb]

The problem your going to run into is frame flexing and eventually cracking if you try to steer both axles with just the box.

 

[m-35tom]

I put a torque multiplier on my half track {OT-810} 2 weeks ago and i tell you no one could move the steering wheel with out it moving and applying the track brakes now you can turn it with one finger standing steal i am very impress not sure how if it is street legal but feels like my M52A2 use to feel...

how long do you really think it will be until the steering box fails, being so extremely overloaded?

 

[panzerwillie]

Well being that it only puts out 90lb torque and i taking that gear box apart and change all the bearings a few years back is very over kill that will never happen but thank you for your concerns ....

 

[ivbeenrokd]

I drove mine again today with the air assist for a couple of miles and around the parking lot. In the gravel I can steer easily with the palm of one hand while sitting still (took 2 strong arms before) and can steer on pavement with minimal effort. With the perches flipped it returns to center very well (thanks m35Tom) and with the system well oiled it turns nice and smooth (thanks Gimpy). All around I'm very pleased and hope it lasts forever like this. It does have a slightly looser feel driving down the road than it did before but I do have a higher center of gravity now that might be impacting that too.

 

[m16ty]

It does have a slightly looser feel driving down the road than it did before

I think this has to do with the small amount the drag link sensor moves in and out which will add a little play in the steering. Like you, I noticed a little looser feel on a stock truck.

 

[bigtruck]

Does anybody here have first hand experience driving a deuce with the torque generator option? Curious how much assistance it provides. Palm steering without truck in motion..? I'm running stock tires and don't plan on increasing tire size.

 

[Streetgliderx]

I have a char-Lynn power unit from an M farmall tractor, if it's not too stinkin huge I'm goin that route if it is I'm gonna get a smaller unit. Might go the 5 ton pump on the truck. Need to go research how to fit one of those

 

[m-35tom]

the pump bolts right on, i have new pumps in stock

 

[Streetgliderx]

thanks tom i have a local who has a military grave yard, i may try and source him first but if i cant find one you will be my go to guy. i love your kit but my one concern is when i go 395s will that box on the outer frame hit?

 

[taylordc15]

I'm running Tom's kit with 395's, clears the box just fine.

 

[klawrence]

On my M35a2 I installed a 5 ton power steering pump and saginaw gear.

loved the results.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I8J5yi0P1Y

Hey I found a pic of my power steering on my old truck..hope this helps

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kx9is3w39492the/P1010029.JPG

 

[Streetgliderx]

Taylordc what rims are your 395"s on? Mine are on MRAP 24b aluminum wheels

 

[taylordc15]

Taylordc what rims are your 395"s on? Mine are on MRAP 24b aluminum wheels

Mine are on HEMMT wheels.

 

[jsthnt@gmail.com]

The way I understand it, the torsion bar only controls the valving. The shaft goes straight through so even if the torsion bar broke you would still have manual control.

I'm seriously considering this setup (Woodward servo). I may need to start a new thread but I'd like to talk about some mounting options. I haven't really looked into it that close but I'm trying to figure out the best way to mount the servo to the stock steering shaft. The weld in couplers will come in handy but what's the best way to support the shaft after you cut a section out of it?

Did u ask if they would do a bolt on replacement? After all they are already working on other military trucks. It might be a nice side project for someone there.

 

[rustystud]

View attachment Scan0005.pdfView attachment Scan0006.pdf

Did u ask if they would do a bolt on replacement? After all they are already working on other military trucks. It might be a nice side project for someone there.

I just ordered the Woodward servo last week. I have a NOS pump assembly and reservoir, so now I need the ram and make-up some hoses. The guy at the tech line said I didn't need to secure the servo, just use welded sleeves on the shaft and then use their sleeve connectors. This will give you a solid shaft all the way through. The hoses themselves will keep the servo from spinning around. I'm gonna solidly mount the servo though for my own peace of mind. I'll post pictures when I start this project.

 

[7bdiver]

This is exactly what I was planning for my deuce, but my main roadblock is in the solid one-piece steering shaft. It's a 7/8 spline at the steering wheel. Thats pretty serious.

I had been looking at Sweet's steering servos. Very similar to the woodwards. The largest splines they have are 3/4". I'm worried that's not going to be strong enough. The last thing I need is the servo becoming the weak link in my steering shaft. Then have total steering failure!

Any opinions? If the steering assist goes out, do I risk breaking the 3/4" servo shafts muscling the steering wheel?

Considering scrapping this plan and doing a garrison drag link valve instead. Waaay easier, but i really dont like the flex lines in the wheel well.

I suppose the splines should at least be as strong as a 1/2" socket drive. Maybe thats good enough?

 

[dmetalmiki]

Hmm, My M45-530 C TffT. Is fitted with the air assist Pack, And even with the truck full to the brim with water, And at a standstill I can Easily turn the steering either way to squeeze out of the shop on concrete.
And at shows or driving in confined places I do like to 'Impress' with that lovely 'SWASH SWISH' of the air release sound.
Oh, And I do have an additional air tank to have a much larger air supply reserve.