Power Steering Pump questions.

   / Power Steering Pump questions. #1  

Pooh_Bear

Platinum Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
739
Location
Dunlap TN 25 miles north of Chattanooga
Tractor
Early 1949 Ford 8N
Let's say I go over to the local auto junkyard
and get a power steering pump off of some vehicle.
What kind of pressure can I expect to get out of a PS pump.
And what kind of flow rate can I expect to get out of it.
And at what RPM should it turn to get max pressure and flow rates.
What vehicle would be the best to get the most pressure and flow rate.

I was thinking I could use one to run some hydraulic cylinders
that don't really need a lot of pressure for what I need.

I don't have a specific project in mind. Just wondering about possibilities.
A PS pump from the junkyard is a lot cheaper than a hydraulic pump.

Just wondering.

Pooh Bear
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #2  
It can be done. Don't remember where I saw it but some guy had one hooked up to a small rotating hoist. He could swing it over the back of his truck, lift out what he wanted with small electric winch, then swing it back over his work bench. He just turned steering wheel (yes he had the whole steering assembly) mounted to pole by workbench. Small elec. motor turned p/s pump and hoses ran to double acting cylinder connected to small I beam with trolley. Seems like it was on the blacksmithing forum, he used it to unload he metal out of truck and load up finished products.
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #3  
The flow rate for an older GM power steering pump may be around the three gallons a minute mark. I'm not sure of the pressure but suspect it could be around 1000 PSI. ???
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #4  
I have been looking into this same concept. I was thinking I'd take the power steering pump and starter motor out of the same vehicle. That way they'd be somewhat matched. I was looking at an application where the pump, etc. would only run for short periods of time, so the starter motor would work without burning out.

I've been using 1700 psi for my calculations, etc. That's based on a few specs I've gathered off the internet...

http://www.visteon.com/products/automotive/media/steering_pump_spec.pdf
One MPa is 145 psi.
Power Steering Kits & Pumps
http://www.trw.com/images/EVPUMP.pdf

Egon might be a little closer to reality with his 1000 psi.

It seems like the bigger the vehicle, the bigger the power steering pump.
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions.
  • Thread Starter
#5  
WOW. 1000psi ?
I thought I remember seeing somewhere that they were around 300psi.
But only 3gpm? Could I use 2 pumps in tandem and double the flow rate?

And I guess the biggest pump I can get from an auto junk yard
would come off of a 1 ton truck or similar.
And it mite cost as much as a real hydraulic pump.

Could I use 2 identical low flow hydraulic pumps in tandem to double the gpm?

Another question:
Would a pump out of a pressure washer pump hydraulic fluid (albeit slowly).

Pooh Bear
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #6  
I am using a ps pump off a late 70's GM truck (saginaw type pump with built in reservior). It has an internal relief that cuts in at about 1000-1200 psi. I have an old tractor that didn't originally have a hydraulic system so I added a 3x10 cylinder and a crude 3 point hitch system to it. As far as flow- it takes roughly 10 seconds to open or close a 3"x10" hydraulic cylinder. So maybe 2-3 gpm? Make sure you turn it the right direction- since these pumps are vane type pumps. I geared mine so it is spun between 1000-3000 rpm.
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #7  
as far as cost...
a remanufactured PS pump for a '71 307 cost me $27 three years ago.
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #8  
Egon Is just guessing at pressure.

Tandem pumps will increase the final pressure. Pumps in parallel will increase the output.
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions. #9  
Useing two of the pumps will not increase pressure pumps have a relief in side so the will only build so much pressure doesn't matter how many you put in tandem but you will get more flow if you put several together just make sure you put oneway check valves in each one so that if one is weaker than the other the pressure will not bleed back through the weak pump.
 
   / Power Steering Pump questions.
  • Thread Starter
#10  
That's what I meant about putting them in tandem.
Put em side by side and let them feed the same main line.
Not in series. Don't even know how this could be accomplished with PS pumps.
I looked at Hydraulic pumps online last nite. Not in my price range.
But a couple of PS pumps mite be. Buy one now and one later.

Just something to think about.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear
 
 
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