PSC vs stock gear box, on road manners

[steventure]

I would like to get some input from you all that are running PSC steering in your TJs that daily them. I just installed the box, pump and reservoir this weekend, cooler and pressure relief valve are next. I was certainly happy to not have sloppy steering anymore, but it seems considerably more difficult to turn the wheel when cornering or say backing out of a parking spot. RTC seems to be affected as well. My caster is around 5 I believe. I've read some posts on other forums of some people having similar issues. Some claim PSC is not great for daily drivers and the stock box has better manners. I'm definitely not wasting money on a reman ZF box. I installed the reservoir using the slave bracket supplied, but plan to mount it closer next to the windshield fluid tank. If the pump was being starved of fluid or there was air in the system I would probably hear it whine right? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

03 TJ 4.0
2.5 ome lift, 1.25 bl
33 ats
Currie currectlync and lower CAs

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Not saying all of the RTC issue is caster related but it'd be better if you could get it to 6 degrees for your 33's. 5 is a little light for that size tire.

 

[steventure]

Thanks Jerry, I'll do that this week and report back. Still the heavy resistance felt when steering is what has me more concerned. And I didn't have this much of a RTC issue with the zf box.

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks Jerry, I'll do that this week and report back. Still the heavy resistance felt when steering is what has me more concerned. And I didn't have this much of a RTC issue with the zf box.

Pull the pressure relief fitting out of the pump. Collect the fluid in a clean container when you pull the -12 off. Drill the hole in it out to .180. Clean the fitting out, lube the o-ring, reinstall it and the feed line fitting.

Go to the box. Loosen the adjuster nut and hold it. Back the allen screw out 1/8th turn, go test drive it and see if that improved the return to center and if the higher flow helped the heavy feel.

Personally I like the heavier feel as long as it isn't dragging or slow to turn because the pump flow rate isn't high enough. I order them heavier than PSC supplies them to make them less fatiguing to drive on the highway.

 

[steventure]

Pull the pressure relief fitting out of the pump. Collect the fluid in a clean container when you pull the -12 off. Drill the hole in it out to .180. Clean the fitting out, lube the o-ring, reinstall it and the feed line fitting.

Go to the box. Loosen the adjuster nut and hold it. Back the allen screw out 1/8th turn, go test drive it and see if that improved the return to center and if the higher flow helped the heavy feel.

Personally I like the heavier feel as long as it isn't dragging or slow to turn because the pump flow rate isn't high enough. I order them heavier than PSC supplies them to make them less fatiguing to drive on the highway.

That's a good point regarding fatigue on the highway. Maybe I'll drive it for a week or so and see if my opinion changes. I'll get the caster dialed in closer to 6 as well. Are there break in periods for new steering gears?

 

[mrblaine]

That's a good point regarding fatigue on the highway. Maybe I'll drive it for a week or so and see if my opinion changes. I'll get the caster dialed in closer to 6 as well. Are there break in periods for new steering gears?

There are generally two. One is the steering gear, the other is you getting used to it.