To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com From: "Ugo Fermi" Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 16:55:01 -0000 Subject: [pinzgauer] Power steering - again Reply-To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com It is available since many, many years a very compact power steering unit named Torque Generator by Char-Lynn (now Eaton). Installation of this unit is quite sraightforward: the steering column is cut and shortened, and the unit is mounted in the gap left in the steering column. A bracket is needed to tie the unit to the car body. The unit has two hydraulic ports which are to be connected to a pump. That's all. The control valves are built inside the unit. The unit is available in different versions, some of which are designed to self center and are load sensing, i.e. they give the driver the appropriate feedback. It seems that this unit has been used to provide power steering in a wide range of cars, trucks and tractors, and also in racing cars! Why should this thing not suitable for the Pinz? It is very cheap too, bearing in mind that the turbodiesel power steering kit sells in Europe at 5000+ euros!!! The only alternative seems to be the adaptation of the Mercedes G-Wagen steering, which is also expensive in parts and labor! Well, I am definitely NOT a mechanical expert, so my questions are: Is anybody out there running a Char-Lynn power steering? Is this idea worth giving a try? Cheers, Ugo Fermi 1977 710K IW1FQG Turin, Italy To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com From: "Ugo Fermi" Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 17:05:57 -0000 Subject: [pinzgauer] Re: Power steering - again Reply-To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com Technical description of Char-Lynn Torque Generator at http://hydraulics.eaton.com/products/pdfs/C-STOV-MC001-E_part2.pdf Other info can be found on the Eaton website at http://hydraulics.eaton.com/products/steer_main.htm Ugo Fermi 1977 710K IW1FQG Turin, Italy To: From: "YK" Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 19:28:22 +0100 Subject: RE: [pinzgauer] Power steering - again Reply-To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com Ugo, I have seen one mounted on a Pinzgauer at Scott's Expedition Import and I have also seen it in operation during the Pinzgauer treffen in 2002 in Buena Vista. According to Scott, it was fantastic for off-road, but it is not OK for normal roads. I'm sure he can give you all the details. Cheers, YvesK To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com From: tbro Date: Tue, 22 Mar 2005 13:32:40 -0800 Subject: Re: [pinzgauer] Power steering - again Reply-To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com I have used the torque multiplier Char-lynn unit in my off-road buggy for two years. It was a unit designed for a forklift truck and works extremely well off road. It eliminates virtually all bump steer, and as Ugo mentioned is a simple unit to install. On road I have no idea, but it seems it would be very sensitive to slight wheel movements. Only problem I have heard is since it is not true power steering but rather power assist, it does put a very high load on the factory steering box which in time will wear the rack and pinion. I have not experienced this condition yet. Regards, Tom To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com From: "Willem-Jan Markerink" Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 00:46:33 +0100 Subject: Re: [pinzgauer] Power steering - again Reply-To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com On 22 Mar 2005 at 13:32, tbro wrote: > I have used the toque multiplier Char-lynn unit in my off-road buggy for > two years. It was a unit designed for a forklift truck and works > extremely well off road. It eliminates virtually all bump steer, and as > Ugo mentioned is a simple unit to install. On road I have no idea, but > it seems it would be very sensitive to slight wheel movements. Only > problem I have heard is since it is not true power steering but rather > power assist, it does put a very high load on the factory steering box > which in time will wear the rack and pinion. I have not experienced > this condition yet. Regards, Tom From the Eaton website description and the PDF-drawings it looks as if full mechanical interaction is kept intact....which then raises the question, assuming it does get to nervous onroad, whether the hydro-boost can simply be switched off (either valves, or simply uncoupling the pump (thereby increasing fuel economy, as it also says on the website). Or: perhaps one could regulate the boost, making the power-assist speed-sensitive? (I assume it already is 'rpm-sensitive' in the normal counter- productive way: more boost at higher rpm, less boost at lower rpm) Willem (also wondering what creates the most wear&tear: steering at standstill/low speed, or catching bumps at high speed) Jan -- Bye, Willem-Jan Markerink The desire to understand is sometimes far less intelligent than the inability to understand [note: 'a-one' & 'en-el'!] To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com From: "Jim LaGuardia" Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 00:25:47 -0000 Subject: [pinzgauer] Re: Power steering - again Reply-To: pinzgauer@yahoogroups.com You would be best to go with an EVO(electronic variable orifice) to stabilize at road speed , very expensive to do.(lookup GM recalls) You can not just cut hydrolic power to the steering system as the wheel would be even stiffer than stock to turn(ever try to turn the wheel on an old mustang with a similar system?) While power steering is nice and can be adapted fairly easy, I personally don't see a need for it as mine steers fine the way it is and it is just one more potential leak. KISMIF(keep it simple make it fun) Cheers, Jim