Editing Swapping to rack and pinion steering (section)
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====Flow rate==== The second adjustment available is flow rate. The flow rate is determined by the size of the hole in the high pressure fitting (the one you took out to get to the pressure relief valve) on the back of the pump. The earlier pumps had an output hole of 5/32". The Cavalier pump has an output hole of 1/8" (approximately 20% smaller). I could not find a fitting with the smaller orifice to fit the older pump (newer GM pumps use metric fittings). Perhaps if you start with a later S10 pump, metric might not be an issue- but this needs to be confirmed first. As an alternative, it was fairly simple to weld shut the orifice in the original fitting and re-drill it to 1/8". Note: The experts contend that reducing the pressure will reduce the amount of assist provided, which can be reduced below factory specs to give it a heavier feel. The system is designed with a variable ratio, that is, it is designed to give more assist the further you turn the wheel, like for parking maneuvers, etc. You can't harm it by providing less than factory pressure. The flow rate seems to be more of a factor in the sensitivity over center, where you really don't need any assist. In any event, both changes were noticeable from the original test drive. {| |[[Image:Pump_fitting.jpg|thumb|370px|center|High pressure hose fitting from the back of the power steering pump]] |[[Image:Orifice_hole2.jpg|thumb|310px|center|Weld or braze, then re-drill the center hole to change flow rate, not the side hole]] |} [[Category:Steering]]
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