Lentfiddle
Junior Member
My power steering went out a few weeks ago on my 2013 5.7L and I’m curious if I can convert from EPS to just a traditional power steering set up. I’m learning this electronic garbage is just problems and a money pity
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That part number you listed goes to a caravan, so doubtful it'd work.Go to the Mopar store and put in your truck's VIN and search out for a hydraulic steering ram. https://store.mopar.com. Then do a general search for other 2013's. See if a hydraulic rack comes up. And does it match a 2012?
I put in 2013 and it came up with hydraulic steering RL171449AB. But I haven't dug into very much to see how accurate it is. Maybe put your question into a straight google search (& a Youtube search too) and see what comes up for a hydraulic conversion. Mine's a 2012 so...I don't have to worry lol
Your learning is steering you wrong, the EPS is fairly trouble free.I’m learning this electronic garbage is just problems and a money pity
That thread was a great read and boy oh boy, you have some talent there.I did this swap a couple of years ago and no regrets. Had to turn off EPS with AlphaOBD. Hardest part was moving the mounting holes in the front cross member as the spacing is not the same. A couple of pic's on page 5 of my build. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/rambo-old-farts-last-build.160780/
Awesome thread. Seeing what you can do, I get why you think switching the steering was no big deal. You are exceptionally talented and very experienced. For the average guy, its a big deal.I did this swap a couple of years ago and no regrets. Had to turn off EPS with AlphaOBD. Hardest part was moving the mounting holes in the front cross member as the spacing is not the same. A couple of pic's on page 5 of my build. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/rambo-old-farts-last-build.160780/
The old belt was in good shape. Really did not need replacing. I left the new belt on the rack and pinion when I returned the core. Just wasn't worth the time to pull it and had no use for it. A little tricky putting the new belt on...tight...secret was securing steering wheel with a ratchet strap around the brake pedal then disconnecting the steering shaft from the rack and pinion. This allowed me to move the gear in and out to get the new belt over the splined gear. Just remember to count the raised groves on the main shaft so you can return the rack to center....just a technique...I marked it with a sharpie. Be sure and use the right size Allen wrench on the cover screws too.Out of curiousity, what was the condition of your old EPS unit's belt when you removed the housing cover (before you replaced it)? Was it in really good condition? Or did it appear kind of ragged?
Glad you're back up and running!