How does this power steering work?

[truckabilly]

Can somebody explain to me how this kind of power steering work? I mean, what other parts do I need to replicate a complete system? I can see two hoses running out of the hydraulic rod. Where do they go? Is it a power steering pump and a reservoir like the newer systems have? Thanks for any help.

[Muncie]

that's interesting - which is another way of saying that I have no idea...

is this on a North American truck? what year?

The size of the ram leads me to believe that it is air assist and not hydraulic - but still need a control valve unless it is integral with the ram

[redneckrigger]

Had one similar on an IHC B275 farm tractor as an add on unit. The cylinder is the assist. When activating the steering wheel, in ADDITION to the normal mechanical advantage from the wheel and steering shaft, an add on valving unit attached to the shaft, activated the cylinder in the appropriate direction using hydraulic pressure from an add on driven pump with separate reservoir. Hope that helps.

[Superpeterbilt]

That looks like a power assist add on. Its just a hydraulic ram mounted behind the stock steering linkage. 

[guitarsam326]

Could be air assisted considering the age, and no residue on the fittings but without seeing where the lines end up it would be hard to say for sure.

[Petetrucker07]

No info on the steering, but the episode of American Trucker these were featured on. Hopefully you can watch it over there.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ctFkUPkHswY

Edited December 18, 2015 by Petetrucker07

[Petetrucker07]

Could be air assisted considering the age, and no residue on the fittings but without seeing where the lines end up it would be hard to say for sure.

 

looks like the lines come off the bottom of the steering box.  I'm guessing an early type of hydraulic assist.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Petetrucker07

[truckabilly]

Thanks for your replies, gentlemen. Some of you say hydro, the others say air. This was photographed by Jeff Lakaszcyck and it is one of the NASA Peterbilts 351 delivered in 1967. Sadly, their era comes to the end.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/106276-nasa-pete-125/ 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Looks like a Vickers Hydraulic assist to me. If I am not mistaken, they work much like the old Ford hydraulic assist that was on cars and pickups. To put it simply, the cylinder just assists the no-power sterring box.