I ran my ram assist with no fluid after I broke a fitting in the rock race 2-3 weeks ago. (TG rock assault system if it matters)
Now that I have made the repairs to the fittings the steering has less resistance than it did before the breakage. (the ram used to make the steering slow and slightly more difficult to turn)

Did I ruin the ram by running it dry for 3 miles in a rock race. When the break occurred I plugged the holes in the steering gear, taped up the end of the lines (to keep dirt out) and zip tied them to the chassis. (leaving the ram installed due to time)After 1-2 turns the ram dumped all the fluid out.

Are you saying that it is easier to turn now?

Yes! almost as easy as when the lines for the ram were disconnected and the ram was still on the axle.

Im going out tonight to wheel behind the house.:beer::beer::beer: I should have an answer after I bind it up a few times.

Maybe you had air in the system or something before. :confused: I ran my hydro assist system dry for 3-4 miles about a month ago when a night run I was on turned into a recovery mission. I have 4 runs on the pump since then and it has not failed yet. It does whine a little louder now but I run a hot rodded stock pump not the trail gear one, so it always whined some. So you may have got away without damaging anything. I'd bet that 3-4 miles took us way longer to run than 3 miles in a rock race. :(

Wheeled a little tonight.
Everything acts fine. The steering is just way easier than I remember before. There was decent resistance when the ram could not move as quick as the steering.

I feel like it is bled real good. The whining is minimal.

I propped the front tires against a tree and it still slides the car over when I steer into the tree. I really was not in any other major bind tonight. We will see what happens.

Wheeled a little tonight.
Everything acts fine. The steering is just way easier than I remember before. There was decent resistance when the ram could not move as quick as the steering.

I feel like it is bled real good. The whining is minimal.

I propped the front tires against a tree and it still slides the car over when I steer into the tree. I really was not in any other major bind tonight. We will see what happens. Wes is a dedicated mutha out wheelin' til 11pm last night.

:beer::beer:Actually I really like to have a few cold ones with my buddys and do some testing on "the proving grounds" behind my house 2-3 times per month.

Thanks for the compliment:beer::beer:

Reminds me of a similar story. Last year one of my employees wrecked and totaled our parts van. Of course we fixed it and started driving it again. A few days later dude said "Did you notice how cold the a/c is in the van since I wrecked it!?" That cracked me up. Funny thing was he was right, the a/c had never been so cold and we didn't do anything to the a/c ?!

BTW-I have no idea what could wrong with your steering.:flipoff2:

I think the steering is OK. Why it is easier? I dont know. I hope running the ram dry for a 5 miles in the rock race did not kill it.

Doubt it would. There had to be some residual oil in there and all you need is it to be slick enough for the orings to slide without wearing and tearing...

I wouldn't be worried about. Worse case you replace some o-rings sometime in the future due to a slightly shortened life.

I think the steering is OK. Why it is easier? I dont know. I hope running the ram dry for a 5 miles in the rock race did not kill it.

I'd have to agree with Pook here. I would be worried if I ran the pump dry but I don't really see how running the ram dry could hurt if it were only a couple miles. I wouldn't think it could possibly be completely dry, there would have to be enough residual fluid to keep the piston seals wet.

Glad to hear your positive input Pook and mtbrjon.

I will follow up if and when the ram pukes.

You should be fine, if your not strong enough to turn it don't worry I use these big guns I have to steer it around Harlan for ya.:D

You should be fine, if your not strong enough to turn it don't worry I use these big guns I have to steer it around Harlan for ya.:D



How are you going to help me when I pass you and continue up the obstacle you are stuck on?:flipoff2:

LOL.....I may be stuck, your right. But once I turn my windshield wipers on so I can see and warm up my hands by the heater I still have I"ll be ready to go.:D

LOL.....I may be stuck, your right. But once I turn my windshield wipers on so I can see and warm up my hands by the heater I still have I"ll be ready to go.:D

You definetly got me there.
I saw some plug in the cig lighter heaters at the truck stop. If it is cold enough, I will pick one up. Plus the exhaust pipe running 2" below my seat provides a lot more warmth than you would imagine.

LOL.....I may be stuck, your right. But once I turn my windshield wipers on so I can see and warm up my hands by the heater I still have I"ll be ready to go.:D

:laughing:

No windshield -> no wipers needed -> no loss of visibility!

Heater? Bah, who needs em. We did a little testing on saturday, 28 degrees, with frozen drizzle falling and a touch of snow. Dress accordingly, and its all good! :p

:laughing:

Heater? Bah, who needs em. We did a little testing on saturday, 28 degrees, with frozen drizzle falling and a touch of snow. Dress accordingly, and its all good! :p

Screw That!!!

Exactly

You definetly got me there.
I saw some plug in the cig lighter heaters at the truck stop. If it is cold enough, I will pick one up. Plus the exhaust pipe running 2" below my seat provides a lot more warmth than you would imagine.

Last time in Harlan we were up on Mason Jar at night, drizzling rain temps falling...........I don't really want to go back up there without a cab around me. Perhaps i'm a puss?:flipoff2: I don't know what Harlan looks like when it's dry.:rolleyes:

We'll then being it will be my first time to Harlan I may have to put my doors on so I stay extra cozy wit my short sleeve shirt on. :flipoff2:

never been their dry either, glad we had a dryer at the house last time or i would have ran out of clothes

I have been dry and it is awesome.

hopefully this trip will be dry and spring like.

I will bring apropriate cold weather gear.

Harlan Dry is much funner. It's miserable when wet.

Screw That!!!

So if I buy the plane ticket, you going to come out for some winter wheeling ~january time? Or are you too scared? :evil:

So if I buy the plane ticket, you going to come out for some winter wheeling ~january time? Or are you too scared? :evil:

can you afford a ticket from the EAST COAST?
I would come in a heartbeat.

So if I buy the plane ticket, you going to come out for some winter wheeling ~january time? Or are you too scared? :evil:

That just doesn't sound fun to me. When it comes right down to it, you guys are the true hard core wheelers.

can you afford a ticket from the EAST COAST?
I would come in a heartbeat.

I just really want to see "desertoy", become "snowman" :laughing:

I just really want to see "desertoy", become "snowman" :laughing:

Split the cost?

JK. I just want to see West Coast wheeling in person. Rain, snow, or shine

Snow is an absolute hoot!!! It's like wheelin' in sand, except that it doesn't destroy your seals and abrade everything, and after it all melts off, your rig is left pretty clean! :laughing:

Split the cost?

JK. I just want to see West Coast wheeling in person. Rain, snow, or shine

Hmmm, that would require planning ahead when to go. Instead of the standard "hey it snowed, a bunch, lets go see if we can all turn into popsicles before lunch!"

Honestly, the ftoy is getting a good tear down shortly, and likely wont be running again til mid/late december.

Hmmm, that would require planning ahead when to go. Instead of the standard "hey it snowed, a bunch, lets go see if we can all turn into popsicles before lunch!"

Honestly, the ftoy is getting a good tear down shortly, and likely wont be running again til mid/late december.

I will start the tear down of mine in Dec.
One day I am going to make it out there. Can I count on you as a trail guide? Of course with a little pre planning.

sure!