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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Technical Discussion - Performance / Modify => Topic started by: zrn777 on June 04, 2011, 07:38:27 PM

Title: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: zrn777 on June 04, 2011, 07:38:27 PM

I just put a side kick steering kit on my 88 sammy and the steering is sticky.  it will not turn back to center unless i turn it back. anyone know what the cause might be... i am stumped and need some help

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: Skyhiranger on June 04, 2011, 08:29:52 PM

If the caster is off, it will affect the steering return to center.  Got a lift on it?  Longer front shackles?  Different than stock front springs?  Using different spring hangers other than the stock ones?  Did the steering return to center on its own before the PS swap?
If when you are turning it back to center you are feeling resistance, then you probably either have air in the system or have a bad pump/box.

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: zrn777 on June 04, 2011, 09:44:09 PM

yes it has a sky yj conversion SPUA.  before the PS install the steering was normal.  the pump/box was rebuilt it came in a kit from trail tough.  i was wondering if the drop pitman arm will help?

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: Skyhiranger on June 05, 2011, 07:21:03 AM

Quote from: zrn777 on June 04, 2011, 09:44:09 PM

  i was wondering if the drop pitman arm will help?

Doubt it.  SPUA shouldn't put much of an angle on the draglink.  Dropped pitman arms are generally to eliminate bumpsteer...which is not the issue you are trying to fix.

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: zrn777 on June 05, 2011, 09:22:26 AM

thanks i think i will take it down and have the alignment checked out. what is bumpsteer?

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: Skyhiranger on June 05, 2011, 10:22:58 AM

Quote from: zrn777 on June 05, 2011, 09:22:26 AM

thanks i think i will take it down and have the alignment checked out. what is bumpsteer?

If it was fine before the PS, then the PS addition will not cause it to be out of alignment. 
I don't know how the sky YJ conversion kit affects caster (or if it does).  But like I said, if the caster is off, then that will affect the "auto" return to center of the steering.
When you have to turn the steering wheel back to center, does it turn hard or easy?  Did you bleed the PS system after you installed it?
Bumpsteer.....
http://www.google.com/search?q=bumpsteer&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a (http://www.google.com/search?q=bumpsteer&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a)

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: zrn777 on June 05, 2011, 03:55:56 PM

thanks for the link.  it is not easy to turn it back to center.  i did not bleed the system but i have filled to resovior a few times and the level doesnt drop any more. 

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: Skyhiranger on June 05, 2011, 04:15:21 PM

Quote from: zrn777 on June 05, 2011, 03:55:56 PM

thanks for the link.  it is not easy to turn it back to center.  i did not bleed the system but i have filled to resovior a few times and the level doesnt drop any more. 

It sounds like to me you might have air in the system and it needs to be bled.
I would suggest jacking the front tires off the ground, turn the wheels back and forth as far as you can like 50 times (with the engine NOT running), while checking the fluid level in the reservoir.  This will bleed the system and make sure you don't have any air in the system.
With the vehicle running, it should turn easily, if there is no air in the system and the box and pump are good and the fluid is at the proper level.
I have trackick PS on 2 of my samurais....one works a little better than the other.  On the best one, I can turn the wheels back and forth with 1 finger, with the engine running.  On the worst one, I can still turn the wheels back and forth by using the palm of my hand, when the engine is running.

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: mbruce on June 05, 2011, 05:38:09 PM

How much difference does the drop pitman arm make on a SPOA? I ordered a tracker PS and full kit and looking to install it this week....

Any tips or tricks that will make it easier and/or better?

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: Drone637 on June 06, 2011, 11:38:28 AM

Quote from: mbruce on June 05, 2011, 05:38:09 PM

How much difference does the drop pitman arm make on a SPOA? I ordered a tracker PS and full kit and looking to install it this week....

Any tips or tricks that will make it easier and/or better?

I would recommend going with a cross-over steering for a SPOA instead of a dropped pitman arm.

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: mbruce on June 06, 2011, 06:13:18 PM

My Sky cross-over steering will arrive this week....

I think every Samurai parts place or modification place is 20,000 miles from Louisiana.

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: mrfuelish on June 07, 2011, 10:13:00 AM

try to loosen up the bolts on the top of your steering box and move the cap a little and tighten it back up, if it gets worse go the other direction.

Title: Re: Sidekick power steering on 88 sammy
Post by: Skyhiranger on June 08, 2011, 10:34:56 PM

Quote from: mrfuelish on June 07, 2011, 10:13:00 AM

try to loosen up the bolts on the top of your steering box and move the cap a little and tighten it back up, if it gets worse go the other direction.

I would not recommend messing with the steering box gear mesh, unless you have the exact procedure for adjusting it and know what you are doing.
I would highly doubt that is the problem with the no "auto return to center" anyway.