At what size tire and stituation is Hydro assist steering recomended?

[Charger92]

I have my steering box leaking at the stub shaft and it's getting bad.
I picked up a seal kit and started to remove the plug lock nut around the spanner nut. It was rusty and the threads were no more.
I soaked the spanner nut for a few days with penitrating oil and it still will not budge. It sure kills the hands when the wrench slips.

So I'm at the point, Do I just buy a rebuilt steering box. Do I send mine in to get rebuilt along with them tapping it for hydro assist and me get the rest: lines, cylinder and mounting. Do I send mine to West Texas OR to be rebuilt and them send me everything?

This brings me to my post question.
At what tire size and stiuation is Hyro assist recomended?
I want to go 35-37in tires on D60 front and 70 rear.
I use my rig to get around a bit and on the hwy to get me to the wheeling areas. (so part daily)
My local in BC Canada so the terrain is a mix.
My rig is a full size, Dodge Ramcharger.
I will be doing a crossover steering also.

Any input anyone?
Thanks,

[XJ_ranger]

I will be doing a crossover steering also.


that sounds like you are decided not to run full hydro then...

In My Opinion, Full hydro should only be used when your suspention style necesitates it.

With a dual triangulated 4 link, bumpsteer would be crazy with any hard links in the steering- thus necesitating a full hydro setup
A 3 link with a panhard however would work very well with hydro assist because the panhard would keep the axle moving with the steering...

while my expierence with leaves in the front is limited, i would say leaf springs work either way

here is a nifty link on DIY hydro assist and a Jeep steering box rebuild (not sure how much works on your dodge, but something to look at none the less)

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=55711&highlight=%5Chydro
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20532

personaly i will run hydro assist on my rig and have no plans of running full hydro...

[Al Kaholick]

that sounds like you are decided not to run full hydro then...

In My Opinion, Full hydro should only be used when your suspention style necesitates it.

With a dual triangulated 4 link, bumpsteer would be crazy with any hard links in the steering- thus necesitating a full hydro setup
A 3 link with a panhard however would work very well with hydro assist because the panhard would keep the axle moving with the steering...

while my expierence with leaves in the front is limited, i would say leaf springs work either way

here is a nifty link on DIY hydro assist and a Jeep steering box rebuild (not sure how much works on your dodge, but something to look at none the less)

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=55711&highlight=%5Chydro
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20532

personaly i will run hydro assist on my rig and have no plans of running full hydro...

i didnt see full hydo mentioned anywhere in the post, so im not sure what brought this on.

Anyway Id say if you think you need more steering power then go for it. theres times with power steering you just cant turn the wheels no matter how hard you try, if you havent experienced this then you dont need it. I say go with the crossover and dont bother with the hydro until you know you need it. Im of the if you need to ask you dont need it philosophy. (Ive never felt the need to put it on my truck btw but mines a bit lighter than a fullsize)

[Charger92]

Well I guess I will hold off on spending the $ on hydro for now and use the $ else where. Like Al Kaholick says if you havent experienced not turning the wheel then you dont need it.
I may find out when I get the 37's on. If those times get frequent I will go hydro.

Last night I broke my puller, it's not a pitman arm puller but a good heavy duty 4ton reversible gear puller. Snapped the ear off.

How the heck do you pull this arm off. I will get a pitman puller but I can't see it being to much stronger than the one I had.
I was banging on the arm every so often to loosen it up along with using the puller. Half a turn on the puller and a few good bangs on the arm, over and over.
Any sugestions?

[offroadjunkie]

pitman arms are known for being a bitch. all i can say is keep trying. keep trying to either pull, pound it off. if you took the whole steering box out you could use a vice on the pitman arm and then pound the steering box out with a punch.