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Owl Vans Grenadier Steering Box Upgrade

I’ve been calling out Ineos on the power steering pump noise for a year now. No results. The response is always the same, “it’s operating as it should and unless it tests over 90 db, there is nothing wrong”
It costs nearly $1000 to have it sound tested from a private company here in LA. Even then they may not accept the results if it is shown to exceed 90 db.
I see the benefits of aftermarket parts when the INEOS offers no solution.

How would you measure that. The setting has a lot to do with how loud it seems. Like if you’re parked in your wall or in a garage. Or do they put the microphone under the hood?
 
Extrapolating from what?
From the host of people here that comment about it.

This truck was meant to be modified or so it seemed in the early days. Now many are getting spooked about making changes due to warranty. I understand and it's a valid concern for some, but aside from the axles and maybe the T-case everything else comes with relatively insignificant cost to repair.

I mean, you (figurative you) will spend $3k to maybe reduce the noise of the steering pump with hopes it will also help steering but your afraid said pump will cause a seal to pop on the steering gear that won't be warrantied. Assuming you had to get a new steering gear out of pocket you're looking at what, another $3k.

And with the amount of money people are spending to outfit these things with racks and skid plates and god knows what else to the tune of $10's of thousands in some
cases.

I'm not meaning to be rude or tell someone how to handle things, this is just an observation that I can't figure out the logic of.

I'm just confused by the crowd here. It's admittedly very diverse and I can accept that I am a bit more cavalier with things which I can afford because I can work on my own vehicles minus the Ineos Software paywall.
 
From the host of people here that comment about it.

This truck was meant to be modified or so it seemed in the early days. Now many are getting spooked about making changes due to warranty. I understand and it's a valid concern for some, but aside from the axles and maybe the T-case everything else comes with relatively insignificant cost to repair.

I mean, you (figurative you) will spend $3k to maybe reduce the noise of the steering pump with hopes it will also help steering but your afraid said pump will cause a seal to pop on the steering gear that won't be warrantied. Assuming you had to get a new steering gear out of pocket you're looking at what, another $3k.

And with the amount of money people are spending to outfit these things with racks and skid plates and god knows what else to the tune of $10's of thousands in some
cases.

I'm not meaning to be rude or tell someone how to handle things, this is just an observation that I can't figure out the logic of.

I'm just confused by the crowd here. It's admittedly very diverse and I can accept that I am a bit more cavalier with things which I can afford because I can work on my own vehicles minus the Ineos Software paywall.
I agree here, even in the talk with Lynn couple awesome peeps on the forum did with her. She stated that there are things they feel isn't a need to change because the aftermarket can do it better anyway. Clearly one would think that they should have more support and growth to the aftermarket community. Heck their portal version is done by an aftermarket company. one of the reasons I bought the grenny is too mess around and make it my own. I do also however understand keeping things stock too, but this vehicle clearly screams customize me. Just like most true off-roaders do.
 
I pretty much accepted that what I modify won't be covered by warranty.
I'm okay with my decision.

I only think there is a bit of silliness when Ineos doesn't warrant the drive shaft if you change tire diameter to 33" tires. That seems like it should fit into the vehicle design parameters.

Lifts and torn boot, yeah I think I am not getting warrant. Do I think a very mild lift should be covered, eg 500lbs or 1,000lbs springs that the aftermarket had to create? Yeah I think so but I can understand their point. Good news a rzeppa joint isn't going to destroy my bank account.
 
I assume that by nationality there are differences, maybe even by US state to state? What they will cover is almost incidental to IF they’ll be around to cover…
 
I assume IA would deny any steering system warranty if this new pump has been installed? Sure they may have to prove the pump caused an issue but if seals start to go or problems arise with the main steering box the pump is providing pressure to it might get a little sticky on a warranty claim.
We warranty the parts once they are installed. If the pump were to fail, Owl would take care of it. The upgraded steering pump does not affect any other part of the vehicle’s warranty.
 
I pretty much accepted that what I modify won't be covered by warranty.
I'm okay with my decision.

I only think there is a bit of silliness when Ineos doesn't warrant the drive shaft if you change tire diameter to 33" tires. That seems like it should fit into the vehicle design parameters.

Lifts and torn boot, yeah I think I am not getting warrant. Do I think a very mild lift should be covered, eg 500lbs or 1,000lbs springs that the aftermarket had to create? Yeah I think so but I can understand their point. Good news a rzeppa joint isn't going to destroy my bank account.
I was told last week by the service dept that tire size change will hold the warranty.
 
thats what some folks say they have been told.
TKs Parb. Can you remember who, is he on the forum?

Would be very bad form to void any driveshaft failure on that technicality, hell, pulling 3.5t on stock feet would put a shed load more load through the drivetrain than a 33' mod over stock.
 
TKs Parb. Can you remember who, is he on the forum?

Would be very bad form to void any driveshaft failure on that technicality, hell, pulling 3.5t on stock feet would put a shed load more load through the drivetrain than a 33' mod over stock.
There was one person here that said as much, but I’m not sure that was a definitive and final statement from the dealership. Many have repeated this though. I called my local-ish dealer to confirm and I was told tire size will NOT void the warranty (bc it shouldn’t), but that any lift at all will due to the angle change.
 
There was one person here that said as much, but I’m not sure that was a definitive and final statement from the dealership. Many have repeated this though. I called my local-ish dealer to confirm and I was told tire size will NOT void the warranty (bc it shouldn’t), but that any lift at all will due to the angle change.
thank you heavy foot. Clear to me larger tyres do not effect driveline geometry. You could argue they place a differing stress on the running but tenuous argument imho.
 
TKs Parb. Can you remember who, is he on the forum?

Would be very bad form to void any driveshaft failure on that technicality, hell, pulling 3.5t on stock feet would put a shed load more load through the drivetrain than a 33' mod over stock.
For a drive shaft issue, I was told at the dealership that changing the tire size “could” also void your warranty. They said in their view as a dealer we (the customer) should in theory be able to swap to beefier coil springs, larger tires to bring back the truck to its original height, by using INEOS approved parts, but INEOS would see this as a lift and deny warranty. For a third party steering pump, I imagine they could do the same.
 
For a drive shaft issue, I was told at the dealership that changing the tire size “could” also void your warranty. They said in their view as a dealer we (the customer) should in theory be able to swap to beefier coil springs, larger tires to bring back the truck to its original height, by using INEOS approved parts, but INEOS would see this as a lift and deny warranty. For a third party steering pump, I imagine they could do the same.
Well if my prop shaft shaft fails again now that I have heavier duty OEM springs, due to the fact I’m a lot heavier on my unloaded weight, due to lifting roof conversion , auxiliary fuel tank, underbody guards, internal fit etc. I will have things to say and would fight my case as my suspension geometry has not changed with no increase in height from its unmodified state.
 
From the host of people here that comment about it.

This truck was meant to be modified or so it seemed in the early days. Now many are getting spooked about making changes due to warranty. I understand and it's a valid concern for some, but aside from the axles and maybe the T-case everything else comes with relatively insignificant cost to repair.

I mean, you (figurative you) will spend $3k to maybe reduce the noise of the steering pump with hopes it will also help steering but your afraid said pump will cause a seal to pop on the steering gear that won't be warrantied. Assuming you had to get a new steering gear out of pocket you're looking at what, another $3k.

And with the amount of money people are spending to outfit these things with racks and skid plates and god knows what else to the tune of $10's of thousands in some
cases.

I'm not meaning to be rude or tell someone how to handle things, this is just an observation that I can't figure out the logic of.
There are fun ways to spend money modifying your vehicle and there are a means to an end method of modifying.

When I choose drop $2K to swap out stock tires for a set of meatier ATs, it's a fun mod because I'm getting a ton of value in looks and "performance". If/when I have to drop $2-3K (+time/effort) to replace a non-warranted driveshaft or a leaky diff, it merely gets me back to point zero which is a mechanically sound vehicle (end). This to me is NOT FUN or it's simply necessary because I give a damn.

Like many other car nuts here, I continue to drop $10K on a set of custom forged wheels and $17K on a set of carbon ceramic brakes on an EV because it's a fun thing to enjoy the fruits of your labor (i.e. hobby). However, I bought my IG as a cool daily driver so when point zero items like a shtty steering pump or diff leaks happen on a bone stock vehicle, it's a major bummer. Items like these are table stakes and it makes you really question how often IG engineers were asleep at the wheel during testing and development.

Given 2025 IA's seemingly obstinate stance on mods, I have zero plans to go aftermarket on my IG aside from the 295 KO3s and maybe a DVA Mechanics roof spoiler. I have little desire to waste an iota of energy at dealership service centers. Got no time to spare anyways as I spend most of my computing time on here. Priorities! 🍿
 
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There are fun ways to spend money modifying your vehicle and there are a means to an end method of modifying.

When I choose drop $2K to swap out stock tires for a set of meatier ATs, it's a fun mod because I'm getting a ton of value in looks and "performance". If/when I have to drop $2-3K (+time/effort) to replace a non-warranted driveshaft or a leaky diff, it merely gets me back to point zero which is a mechanically sound vehicle (end). This to me is NOT FUN or it's simply necessary because I give a damn.

Like many other car nuts here, I continue to drop $10K on a set of custom forged wheels and $17K on a set of carbon ceramic brakes on an EV because it's a fun thing to enjoy the fruits of your labor (i.e. hobby). However, I bought my IG as a cool daily driver so when point zero items like a shtty steering pump or diff leaks happen on a bone stock vehicle, it's a major bummer. Items like these are table stakes and it makes you really question how often IG engineers were asleep at the wheel during testing and development.

Given 2025 IA's seemingly obstinate stance on mods, I have zero plans to go aftermarket on my IG aside from the 295 KO3s and maybe a DVA Mechanics roof spoiler. I have little desire to waste an iota of energy at dealership service centers. Got no time to spare anyways as I spend most of my computing time on here. Priorities! 🍿
Understandable, but.... the owl pump is not meant to kill the squeal, it's meant to make the truck drive more or less like a normal vehicle. So unless you are ready to admit that both the squeal AND the ridiculous steering of the Grenadier are problems then you are getting something better than zero. Yes, the squeal is annoying and zero should be just that, ZERO squeal. But the truck drives like crap from the factory and improving its steering/handling is a big upgrade. I cannot possibly understand a person that would take the stock Grenadier handling over a reworked setup that makes it less dodgy, self centers and makes the truck more relaxed to drive long distance. Hoping that Ineos will ever fix it is a pipe dream at best. Preserving your warranty in total and just dealing with it is nuts.
 
Understandable, but.... the owl pump is not meant to kill the squeal, it's meant to make the truck drive more or less like a normal vehicle. So unless you are ready to admit that both the squeal AND the ridiculous steering of the Grenadier are problems then you are getting something better than zero. Yes, the squeal is annoying and zero should be just that, ZERO squeal. But the truck drives like crap from the factory and improving its steering/handling is a big upgrade. I cannot possibly understand a person that would take the stock Grenadier handling over a reworked setup that makes it less dodgy, self centers and makes the truck more relaxed to drive long distance. Hoping that Ineos will ever fix it is a pipe dream at best. Preserving your warranty in total and just dealing with it is nuts.
Did you actually take a test drive before purchase? Did you do any research on it before purchase? The nature of the steering and its mannerisms were well documented. Squeal aside, but "ridiculous steering" is not a "problem", it's the nature of the truck.
 
Yes, the squeal is annoying and zero should be just that, ZERO squeal. But the truck drives like crap from the factory and improving its steering/handling is a big upgrade. I cannot possibly understand a person that would take the stock Grenadier handling over a reworked setup that makes it less dodgy, self centers and makes the truck more relaxed to drive long distance.
Did you actually take a test drive before purchase? Did you do any research on it before purchase? The nature of the steering and its mannerisms were well documented. Squeal aside, but "ridiculous steering" is not a "problem", it's the nature of the truck.
OK gents, not all trucks are created equal and not all drivers are that sensible. Test drive is also not very helpful.

Mine had barely audible whisper from the p/s pump, definitely not audible inside except for open windows/parked next to a wall. Every single Grenadier I wheeled with (probably about 20) also did not have any offensive noise from the pump.

As far as steering and test drive: my two test drives were in pre-production trucks off pavement. I've been warned about the lack of self-centering prior to taking delivery of mine, and it was useful - the very first turn from the dealer parking lot to the street was jolting.
I know of several people so terrified by this that they bought the Pretenders after test-driving a Grenadier.
However... my guess is that the steering damper wore out quickly on one side, and I got used to the truck on another. It has not been an issue at all in the last ~35-38 thousand miles of ~41k I have now.
 
Did you actually take a test drive before purchase? Did you do any research on it before purchase? The nature of the steering and its mannerisms were well documented. Squeal aside, but "ridiculous steering" is not a "problem", it's the nature of the truck.
I test drove pre production trucks. Nothing was documented to any real extent when I bought as I was a pre order. I am also able to correct many of the issues myself. So I'm good for the most part. If the owl pump truly does what they say then I will be even better off once I add that.

Point is I continue to own mine because I know that the issues will be resolvable either by my own hand or by the aftermarket. Sadly Ineos is more likely to fold than fix the issues with current owners. So I couldn't care less about the warranty they provide. I haven't had a vehicle with a warranty pretty much my whole driving career until very recently years I maintain a personal fleet of vehicles including an airplane, boats etc. Hell my Nautique Has a full warranty and I still do most work myself because it's easier often times.
 
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