jsudar
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Cedar Hills
Yeah, I read through the inspection book and couldn't find anything that says hydro steering is illegal, but there is a definite gray area when it comes to modifying vehicles. They have sure changed that book up a lot since I last did inspections. It is getting way more detailed.
Did a bunch of reading on hydro steering valves and it seems that if you get one that is properly setup for your intended purpose, you should be fine. It you get a load reaction valve with a steering check valve, you can actually steer the vehicle if the pump dies. If you lose hydraulic pressure to the steering valve, the check valve will close and the steering valve will act like a small hydraulic motor and allow you to steer. It will be armstrong steering, but it will still give you control over the vehicle, especially at speed.
Now, if a hydraulic line fails you will lose steering, but like Unichev said, that would be just like having a TRE come off or have a steering box break. All of those are mechanical failures and can be mitigated through proper maintenance and use of quality parts designed for the application.
Keep in mind almost all heavy equipment uses full hydro steering. So do boats and cranes and other stuff. I think it is tried and true technology.
I have to agree with kake about the liability thing. It would really suck to have your vehicle modifications get dragged into a courtroom after a traffic accident.
Did a bunch of reading on hydro steering valves and it seems that if you get one that is properly setup for your intended purpose, you should be fine. It you get a load reaction valve with a steering check valve, you can actually steer the vehicle if the pump dies. If you lose hydraulic pressure to the steering valve, the check valve will close and the steering valve will act like a small hydraulic motor and allow you to steer. It will be armstrong steering, but it will still give you control over the vehicle, especially at speed.
Now, if a hydraulic line fails you will lose steering, but like Unichev said, that would be just like having a TRE come off or have a steering box break. All of those are mechanical failures and can be mitigated through proper maintenance and use of quality parts designed for the application.
Keep in mind almost all heavy equipment uses full hydro steering. So do boats and cranes and other stuff. I think it is tried and true technology.
I have to agree with kake about the liability thing. It would really suck to have your vehicle modifications get dragged into a courtroom after a traffic accident.