Washington APEX Perf. Power Steering Boost kit Install video

[Northridge4x4]

This was one product we've been eager to do an install video on and try it out.

Apex Performance Products Power Steering Boost Valve + Cooler:

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[calemasters]

Do you have durability data to show that the OEM steering box and electric pump will support 1,750 psi ?

 

[Tech Tim]

Apex states:

"We have tested in harsh conditions over 30K miles and on 7 vehicles to test the capabilities and pressure limits of the stock system with great success. Heat is the enemy of hydraulics so periodically check the temperature after hard use. Do not exceed 300f."

My thoughts are as long as you stay in the green zone and under that 2K PSI where it starts to go yellow, you should have pretty good luck. And there really isn't much of a reason to go bigger. At that 1750psi we were steering 37" Patagonia Mts on dry pavement from a dead stop. We did play around with it a bit and boosted it up to the top end of the green (2K) and it was way too sensitive.

I've boosted hydraulic pressures in non-electric systems to 3K in past wheeling rigs and beat them hard without problems. But like anything, as we increase the load, we're causing all sorts of other issues.

Overpowering components will be the #1 thing that kills things downstream of a high pressure hydraulic system. So people still need to keep in mind they are boosting stock steering components that are not known to be very robust. Think about upgrading the tie rod and drag link assemblies and if you still have the aluminum steering box, get it swapped out for the steel box.

Heat will be the #2 killer of a boosted hydraulic system. Which is why you cannot buy the boost valve separately, you have to by the full kit with the Apex cooler.

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