Steering at low speeds - Volvo Penta

[highpowerdad]

Volvo Penta 5.0GXI-E (2005) in a 20 ft fourwinns. ~250 hours fresh water... mostly

SO, finally got the steering cable/actuator sorted out, (actuator and cooler are leaking - will fix those this winter), but the steering is smooth and can be turned with one finger - unlike before... except at idle RPMS...where there is more Freeplay (shuttle movement) and more resistance - not bad, just noticeable verses being at say 1500 RPM and up...

QUESTION, with the Volvo Penta PAS system, is it normal to have more resistance in the steering at idle speeds... I assume it is that the fluid pressure is not as high, so the shuttle has to move more to get the fluid flow that is need to more the drive, is that normal or do I have a pump or pressure regulator that needs attention.?

Thanks
Scott R.

 

[Scott Danforth]

a PRV for the saginaw can of ham pump is like $9. you can try it if you want. get one for a GM truck (1200 psi)

 

[highpowerdad]

a PRV for the saginaw can of ham pump is like $9. you can try it if you want. get one for a GM truck (1200 psi)

Yea, I guess I was thinking the pressure at idle may be on the low side, so that would be the pump wearing... it would be the same cost to just change out the whole pump as it would to buy the pressure testing equipment and time get in there to check it...

It would be nice to know if the laggy feeling at idle is "normal" as I don't have anything to compare it to.

Scott R.

 

[Scott Danforth]

new pump (without reservoir) is under $50

 

[highpowerdad]

new pump (without reservoir) is under $50

Any chance you (or anyone) have a GM/Delco part number, it is very confusing just googling it. Also, I guess I would need a seal kit... any past part numbers that we know work would save me a lot of time trying to track it down, I would rather have the part on hand before than taking to the autoparts store afterwords and asking, "you got one of these?"

Thanks
Scott R.

 

[Scott Danforth]

google saginaw power steering pump replacment

if you get a new kit, you get the new pump and o-ring, ready to drop into your reservoir.

Napa has them in stock

 

[Scott Danforth]

rebuild kits are only $15 (they were $8 just 4 years ago)

 

[highpowerdad]

google saginaw power steering pump replacment

if you get a new kit, you get the new pump and o-ring, ready to drop into your reservoir.

Napa has them in stock

thanks for the quick reply, and it is a 1200 psi one that is needed, for the Volvo system correct, I see lower pressures available.

 

[Scott Danforth]

both volvo and mercruiser used the GM truck pump with a unique to volvo or unique to mercruiser reservoir. lower pressures are for ford steering racks

 

[highpowerdad]

Any experience with one of these?

High Speed Saginaw Style Power Steering Pump - Hardin Marine

High Speed Saginaw Style Power Steering Pump

www.hardin-marine.com

 

[Scott Danforth]

Not needed unless you have a race boat and are turning 7500 RPM

A standard $50 Saginaw pump is all you need

 

[Scott Danforth]

since these pumps generally can withstand a nuclear blast and continue to run without issue, the most I would do is get a rebuild kit from napa, pull your pump apart and go thru it. most likely there is debris in the PRV. as far as hydraulic pumps go, these are fred flintstone simple.