Going to full Hydraulic steering and got to thinking today.... What's the best way to bleed the air from the lines and fill the cylinder. Also, can someone post pictures of how they mounted the cylinder to the axle and tie rod?

Thanks
Alan

OK to bleed the line I just fill the oil tank up hit the pump switch turn the wheels to the left added some more fluid then turned the wheel to the right added some more fluid and went left to right one more time to make sure there where no leaks. Try to give yourself some room in the tank for expansion but that's pretty much it. It will bleed its self.

I mounted the orbit motor right to the steering column next the the mounting brace inside the cab. But you can mount it anywhere you find the space. With my set-up I only have the hyd. lines to deal with in the engine compartment.


Pictures I have on file .

Dan,

What thickness are those brackets, and with the one being so long, have you had any trouble with it bending or pulling the weld?

Also, is that the stock rod? I have been hearing that I should go with D.O.M. tubing instead of the OEM rod.

Alan

Ok, I can see where the send and return lines from the pump to orbital will self bleed, but I don't grasp how the lines to the cylinder can self bleed because their isn't a return for each of the two lines. So in my limited hydraulics knowledge it seems like there would the orbital would push oil into each line until the air compressed, then oil flow would stop. Am I missing something?

Alan

I broke the weld once when I first put this in the truck. then I found there's adjuster bolts to stop the wheels from turning to sharp. What happened was I had travel left in the ram and the bolts got to there stops but the ram wanted to keep going. I then added a few more braces to it and re welded it .. it's been good ever since I backed off the bolts a little to get to the end of the ram.
I also try not to turn the wheels that sharp.



Dan

If your hyd lines go into the top of the steering cyl, it will bleed itself. If not, just unbolt cyl with lines hooked up and turn wheel side to side and should get rid of all the air. If you are just putting the system in, you can put spacers on the steering ram to adjust travel, will be easier on your steering stops.