power steering filter

[big61fourby]

Though I'd post some pics of my new power steering filter. Fluid was looking/smelling bad, so I figured adding a filter and a fluid change would be a good idea. Thought about a magnafine filter, but this is super easy to change, has a lot more capacity, and I get a good deal on the filters through work.

Filter base is a hydraulic filter base from discounthydraulichose.com. 1/2" NPT ports and 15 psi bypass.
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Went with all 1/2" pushlock hose. First time working with it... seems like pretty good stuff

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Filter is plumbed in the return line from the cooler to the reservoir; makes a loop around the frame
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Some will think it's overkill, I realize that. Comments welcome,

 

[NavyDood]

Nice, although totally unncessary.

 

[jelag]

We sell gear boxes for class 8 trucks... quite often on those trucks the gear box will use the same oil as the engine and will have an engine style filter on it... at each oil change the service tech will change the filter on the steering system and will than add back engine oil to the system... .

I think the filter is a great idea... . its like adding a 10 micron and 2 micron filter to the fuel system... a little extra protection. .

 

[kschitoskey]

Nicely done

Great idea - I just replaced my power steering box and the old oil looked / smelled nasty. Cleaner oil, a little more capacity - what's the downside?

 

[Bob4x4]

Nice, although totally unncessary.

I disagree I change way too many stering gears and pumps on these trucks. Even with the factory cooler it should have more. I flush mine quite often,I am sure i would be saved that effort if I added a big filter and another oversized cooler.

 

[GCroyle]

Guys, I'm not a power steering expert, no way. But I do have an opinion.



The filter might be a bit of overkill only in it's execution, that is one heck of a setup.



I have listened to a training seminar from one of the national PS pump rebuilders and they absolutely harped on yes, install a filter. They are saying that by handling the hoses during a pump or gear R&R,we often kink or disturb the inside layer of the old hose and flakes of crud go swimming through our PS SYSTEM often precluding a warranty claim "failure".



I bought a reman gear for my '97 and I spent the extra money for new highly recommended hoses. The challenge was finding a DIY inline PS rated filter! I found a plastic hose insert type that you put INSIDE the hose, I didn't give it a passing glance let alone install it. It took several calls and a longer distance trip to find an inline let's call it a old style inline fuel filter PS filter for the '97. Installed several years ago, running strong.



big61fourby, that's a serious PS filter, nice job.

 

[MMeier]

Any pics of how you spliced it into the system ?

 

[BDaugherty]

That's a really nice setup. The CAT 077-3492 is a 2 micron case drain filter with a 25 psi bypass valve. It's roughly 3"x5" with 1-12 thread. I don't know the flow specs on it, but I would imagine that it's enough to provide enough flow with minimal restriction.

My only thought is that you should have the filter plumbed so that it's before the cooler. That way you are filtering hot oil which will give you less restriction through the filter.



The Dondalson cross referance is P551551. I copied the following information from the Donaldson web page since I couldn't find very much information in the CAT system.

Hydraulic Filters Product Attributes

B - Thread Size (Inches): 1 - 12

C - Length (Inches): 5. 35

D - Gasket OD (Inches): 2. 81

E - Gasket ID (Inches): 2. 42

Product Type Description: HYDRAULIC SPIN-ON

Primary Application: GRESEN, CROSS, DONALDSON

Media Type: Cellulose

Efficiency Beta 2 (Micron): 10

Efficiency Beta 20 (Micron): 21

Efficiency Beta 75 (Micron): 25

Substitution: 25 micron version P551553

 

[rbattelle]

That's a pretty sweet idea! You should cut it open when you change it and see what's inside.

Ryan

 

[big61fourby]

That's a really nice setup. The CAT 077-3492 is a 2 micron case drain filter with a 25 psi bypass valve. It's roughly 3"x5" with 1-12 thread. I don't know the flow specs on it, but I would imagine that it's enough to provide enough flow with minimal restriction.
My only thought is that you should have the filter plumbed so that it's before the cooler. That way you are filtering hot oil which will give you less restriction through the filter.

The Dondalson cross referance is P551551. I copied the following information from the Donaldson web page since I couldn't find very much information in the CAT system.
Hydraulic Filters Product Attributes
B - Thread Size (Inches): 1 - 12
C - Length (Inches): 5. 35
D - Gasket OD (Inches): 2. 81
E - Gasket ID (Inches): 2. 42
Product Type Description: HYDRAULIC SPIN-ON
Primary Application: GRESEN, CROSS, DONALDSON
Media Type: Cellulose
Efficiency Beta 2 (Micron): 10
Efficiency Beta 20 (Micron): 21
Efficiency Beta 75 (Micron): 25
Substitution: 25 micron version P551553

According to this pdf from CAT, the filter is in their 'Advanced efficiency' line, which states 11-27 micron efficiency range. Nice and vague, thanks cat. As far as filtering cold oil, I don't think that will be a problem. After an easy trip around the block, the filter was definitely warm.

As far as plumbing, I cut the line out of the cooler (drivers side), added pushlock hose to get over top of the frame rail. Through the filter, out the 'drivers' side of the base, down around the bottom of the frame, and right into the 'T' that incorporates the hydroboost return. Hard area to see; just pull the inner fender liner and take a look.

Ryan, that's why I really like the spin on filter; can cut it open and take a look later on. I figure it can't really hurt for the $100 or so I have in it...

 

[Bob4x4]

Since the 3rd gens use atf the viscosity is not an issue

 

[BDaugherty]

I guess SIS has it listed more than 1 way. I would guess that the chart you found is more accurate than what I found... or what I found has a typo.

I did an advanced full text search for the p/n with specifications highlighted and it brought up the following media:



Specifications

AP-1050B ASPHALT PAVER PROPEL SYSTEM Media Number -KENR2879-00 Publication Date -14/06/1996 Date Updated -29/04/2003



Case Drain Filter

077-3492



Filter element ... 2 micron



Filter bypass ... 170 kPa (25 psi)







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Copyright 1993 - 2010 Caterpillar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Private Network For SIS Licensees.

Mon Jan 18 20:20:33 EST 2010

 

[big61fourby]

I guess SIS has it listed more than 1 way. I would guess that the chart you found is more accurate than what I found... or what I found has a typo.
I did an advanced full text search for the p/n with specifications highlighted and it brought up the following media:

Specifications
AP-1050B ASPHALT PAVER PROPEL SYSTEM Media Number -KENR2879-00 Publication Date -14/06/1996 Date Updated -29/04/2003

Case Drain Filter
077-3492

Filter element ... 2 micron

Filter bypass ... 170 kPa (25 psi)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 1993 - 2010 Caterpillar Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Private Network For SIS Licensees.
Mon Jan 18 20:20:33 EST 2010

Yeah, CAT is funny like that. They publish more vague charts than hard numbers like most other filter mfgs. :{

For some reason my dealer changed my permissions or something in SIS so I can't get to a lot of the search features that don't require a SN... kinda aggravating. #@$%!

 

[Shadrach]

Cat p/n 077-3492 crosses to Fleetguard HF6510. You can use head p/n HH6943. It has 3/4 NPTF. On their website it says OBS but I talked to them today and they said that is wrong. I think it is a good idea. I have seen some small engines that don't have oil filters, and class 8 truck all have PS filters. Shadrach

 

[rscurtis]

Not a bad idea at all. My '83 Mercedes has a PS filter from the factory.

 

[Kry226]

Can the pump tolerate the extra restriction?



I only ask this as I am sure most of us, if not all, have experienced the low RPM turning maneuvers (parking lot/driveway) where it felt like there was no PS at all. Dodge pumps have been notorious for this.



Might the detriments outweigh the benefits?

 

[Shadrach]

The HF6510 flows 10 gal per minute and will hold 20. 4 grams of crude. What the requirements of the Dodge system are I have no idea. Shadrach

 

[big61fourby]

Can the pump tolerate the extra restriction?

I only ask this as I am sure most of us, if not all, have experienced the low RPM turning maneuvers (parking lot/driveway) where it felt like there was no PS at all. Dodge pumps have been notorious for this.

Might the detriments outweigh the benefits?

That's part of the reason for the 15 psi bypass; any time the pressure on the inlet side gets 15 psi higher than the outlet side, the bypass will open and the fluid will go right past the filter.

My opinion is that the pump would rather tolerate a little higher restriction (filters on the return line anyway... ) than the wear metals from the steering box...

 

[MMcdonough]

Cat p/n 077-3492 crosses to Fleetguard HF6510. You can use head p/n HH6943. It has 3/4 NPTF. On their website it says OBS but I talked to them today and they said that is wrong. I think it is a good idea. I have seen some small engines that don't have oil filters, and class 8 truck all have PS filters. Shadrach

I don't believe HH6943 has the built-in bypass... HH6945 has a 25 PSID bypass though.



Link to Fleetgaurd pdf http://www.cumminsfiltration.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/LT32599_10.pdf

 

[Skydiver]

Clean oil is happy oil.
My 1987 Ford 2810 tractor has a built in power steering filter.
I would like to own a filtering system that I could hook up to the transmission and rear axel that holds 13 gallons(?). A filtering system that I could leave running for a few hours after the tractor has just been shut down. The axle holds 8 gallons and is equiped with a filter for the lift. That fluid always looks clean. The transmission oil looks dirty after a season.