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In your experience, do you feel confident that with this setup you could do a donut without having to repair things?
But after adding the Amsoil it's been perfect.Eh, somewhat. My Jeep has a ton of racecar parts on it and some things make noise. But the pumps and pieces used in Howe's kit aren't really supposed to make noises. Most Raptor setups don't need a trophy truck pump and the noise you're hearing is all the fluid bypassing back to the reservoir. There's absolutely no need for that much flow. We're talking 9-12 gpm here at 1500psi or near that depending on Howe sets the flow. WAY too much.
For reference, I run a PSC 2.25x8" ram with 1.125" rod on my Jeep. It's double ended and the flow is controlled by a Sweet servo valve that's inline with a steering box that's had the hydraulics disabled. I have opened up the ports and made a few mods for flow. I am still run AN6 lines to the ram and have good steering speed. I was using a TC pump that's around 4.5 GPM but that's at 5000 rpm. At idle, it wouldn't steer quickly. I had to go to a Lee power steering CB pump that's about 5 gpm but at lower rpm. At idle it's pushing around 3 gpm which is much better. Even with all these "racecar" parts, there's still no need to have a trophy truck pump. Howe pushes that pump on everyone and it's not needed. I've known quite a few race teams that have had that pump on their Jeeps or racecars and the pump is constantly bypassing and getting hot. Everything in your steering system needs to be matched together.
The Raptor PS pump from the factory is 3 gpm at 1500 rpm which should be fine for most trucks even with 37s. A 10-20% increase in flow is fine and would even be recommended for Raptors with larger tires. Lee makes a TC pump and CB pump and they share the same mounting bolt pattern and the size is nearly the same. Most CB pumps have a bushing instead of bearing like the TC pumps but Lee does make their CB pumps with bearings. This is very important to have. Lee can also dial in the flow for what you need in your truck and they make the adapter to run a TC/CB style pump on the Raptor. Not hard to do, it's just a CNC milled bracket.
I'd recommend going to the GJ motorsports style reservoir. I've talked with him and they have it figured out. Yes, it's the same reservoir as Kartek sells but he gives it to you as a package with the proper bracket and he's a good guy. I'd also recommend switching to a real power steering fluid. I swapped mine out to Amsoil after roasting a pump doing some donuts and spirited driving in the woods here in the PNW.
Just my two cents, I've been doing this a lot and have a ton of time into my steering setups, especially the Jeep.
LOL I didn't know they made race car parts for Jeeps
The problem with the HOWE system isn't their parts, it is the fact that the flow is too much as you noted above. Some did not understand this when going with the HOWE system and were disappointed when they realized their truck now made irregular noises due to the flow being too much.
I am not sure what you mean when you say real power steering fluid? Most guys I know, actually use ATF instead of power steering fluid. I totally agree with you in reference to running AMSOIL. I also like the fact that I can change the filter on the GJ system with an AMSOIL filter.
My entire Raptor suspension has been replaced besides my axles with race truck parts. When you do that, you give up the quietness of a factory vehicle. I was somewhat ignorant of this fact, which is why I said what I said to try and educate others. Nevertheless, the performance and reliability of the truck outweighs the quietness that I lost.
By the way, that was a nice write up sir!
ahhh I see what you mean now. Yes, the race car parts make noises. The high strength uniballs and heims make plenty of squeaks and rattles. Normal stuff. FWIW, by race car parts for my Jeep, I mean they took parts of a race car and I cut and fabbed to put them on my Jeep. Not really a direct replacement
By "real PS fluid" I mean something rated for use in power steering or hydraulic systems. ATF is intended for use in clutch based semi-hydraulic mechanisms and that's why it breaks down under pressure and heat. ATF is a fraction of the cost of PS fluid so Ford saved money when using it. Honestly if they just changed to PS fluid and a decent baffling system in the stock reservoir there wouldn't be half as many issues.
Thank you, I've spent a lot of time researching and trial and error. About 2 years so far. I also designed a 300m sector shaft for saginaw style steering boxes and oversaw manufacturing. We're hoping to make some for a few trophy trucks by contract from a reputable power steering supplier in the off road game.
Your fluid hasn't broke down because it's filtered. That's why they put it in there. Also, shops use ATF because it's Ford spec. If ATF (which is Automatic Transmission Fluid) was really worthwhile, there would be no reason to have a different fluid that's been proven to be superior for steering systems. Completely different specification and application.
It's your call, put what you want in your truck but I'm telling you from an engineering standpoint it's not the proper fluid in a steering system. Feel free to do your own research.
