Hey guys-

Is there some kind of shim change or something that can reduce the power steering boost on my JK?

I know on these old-style PS pumps some can be modified with shims to reduce the pressure and reduce boost. Anyone tried this?

Thx-

 

Maybe an underdrive pully for the pump?

 

Curiosity .... why would you want less power of out of the power steering pump?

 

That wouldn't help, for the obvious reason that even at idle the power steering is at full boost. It has a relief valve, it equalizes pressure.

The way to fix it is by adjusting that valve so that it doesn't allow as high pressure at all times.

 

Because the steering in the Jeep is incredibly over boosted. It's like driving a 1983 Crown Victoria. I presume Jeep does it this way figuring that you are going to put enormous tires with a lot less offset on there so it will feel "normal" with the mods. Maybe there is a value to more boost with stock wheels/tires in certain terrain like big rocks. And maybe if you have locking diffs then the extra boost helps be able to overcome the tendency for it to not steer. The tradeoff is that with stock tires/wheels it has absolutely zero feedback or feel on the road. The poor caster angle doesn't help any.

Here's an example of an article that talks about modifying the pump to tune the right pressure:
Modifying your Power Steering Pump - GM Truck Central

It's apparently common with hot rods etc. to have to modify the pump for the appropriate application.

 

I suppose this thing will never leave pavement? 4wd or locked at low speed the stock pump doesn't feel overboosted at all with stock tires.

 

Well I don't have lockers and yes I do leave the pavement quite a bit but don't find any issue turning in 4WD. Maybe in 4WD on pavement it would be hard.

But 95% of the time or more this Jeep will be on pavement. I'd prefer more steering feel.