Owl Vans Grenadier Steering Box Upgrade

[LabRat]

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.

FWIW, my comment was taking issue with the "ridiculous steering" as being a problem. It might not be to everyones liking, but being ridiculous, it is not unless you were completely expecting something different and for those that didn't do preorders or drove preproduction trucks, should not come as a surprise.

 

[pmatusov]

FWIW, my comment was taking issue with the "ridiculous steering" as being a problem. It might not be to everyones liking, but being ridiculous, it is not unless you were completely expecting something different and for those that didn't do preorders or drove preproduction trucks, should not come as a surprise.

I didn't notice anything out of ordinary on my test drives, but I am glad I was warned about the lack of self-centering when I got mine.
It is not common by any means, and it should not have been present. None of my other trucks with solid axles and similar steering boxes exhibited this behavior.
Definitely cost INEOS a bunch of lost sales.

 

[abbeyroad]

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.

I abhor the squeal, but living with it. I am totally fine with the way the IG steers and handles. I have zero interest in an aftermarket pump unless it's proven to eliminate the squeal and proven to last. I value my factory warranty and proximity to a local service center.

 

[Dokatd]

I abhor the squeal, but living with it. I am totally fine with the way the IG steers and handles. I have zero interest in an aftermarket pump unless it's proven to eliminate the squeal and proven to last. I value my factory warranty and proximity to a local service center.

But, assuming you got an Owl pump to eliminate the squeal, would you be disappointed if the pump also made your Grenadier drive/handle more like a normal vehicle in regards to steering? Or would you be pining for the factory steering feel?