How works hydraulic steering?

[Capn Mike]

So we're sitting around b.s.ing the other day and I mention to a guy I have hydraulic steering on my Johnson OB. Guy asks, "where's the pump?" "Don't have a pump, I guess," I reply, "motor turns just as easily with the motor and the battery switches off." Guy insists that there's a pump somewhere if it's hydraulic steering...and my owner's manual and current website (Striper) insist I do have it.<br />So....how does it work?

 

[wyattm]

Re: How works hydraulic steering?

The hydraulic steering system is the ram piston in from of the engine, there's two hoses that run back to the dash into a resavoir, this is where the, hydrulic fluid is. This system bleds like a brake system on you car. I hope this helps.

 

[DJ]

Re: How works hydraulic steering?

Capn Mike,<br /><br />The "pump" is your helm station. When you turn the wheel, it pumps fluid via a rotary pump using pistons to push hyd. fluid through the lines. The actuator (at the engine end) is also a piston. What gives you your mechanical adcvantage is that the helm station has much more displacement than the actuator.

 

[Beernutz]

Re: How works hydraulic steering?

Pump displacement greater than slave cylinder = mechanical "dis"advantage. In order to achieve a mechanical advantage, the pump displacement should be smaller. No?

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: How works hydraulic steering?

beernutz, i think its just a simple misunderstanding of terms. i believe you should pretend the 'pump' meaning a master cyl as compared to your slave cyl. end result=little force at steerin wheel brings great force a bigfat engine

 

[grandx]

Re: How works hydraulic steering?

Under your steering wheel is your pump, you must displace the same amount of fluid at pump as you do at the cylinder, it's a closed system push on one side pull on the other, no room for extra fluid. The advandage comes from displacing smaller amounts of fluid (per revolution) of the steering wheel, just have to turn the wheel more (kinda like a gear ratio) 2 revolution (720 degrees)on wheel= 30 degree change in motor position for example. Much like a very long tiller arm.