Review: Owl Grenadier Steering Pump Upgrade

[HereinDaRockies]

Spot on. I was denied warranty coverage for the my loud pump twice. I had no other options and the noise was really beginning to turn me off this truck. So while the Owl pump is incredibly pricey to resolve just the noise, it ended up allowing me to hold onto the vehicle.

I've heard many of the latest vehicles no longer have the noise issue. Would love to hear from a new owner on this.

Nah. 2025 still has the whine

I have heard 2024 with very acceptable volume of whine.

It’s a crapshoot

 

[parb]

Kudos for a really well written review. Analytical, descriptive and as factual as one can be given that it's a bit subjective topic.

Following!

 

[Dokatd]

Scary thing is it's December 2025 and the dealers are still pushing 2025 models and .99% financing.

 

[Agile1]

Can you clarify what you did?

I installed the Apex Boost Kit for Jeep JL, it's a similar pump. I do not install the remote cooler.

https://agileoffroad.com/product/steering-boost-kit/

Factory PSI was recorded at 450-500psi Max.

I was conservative and adjusted to 950-1000psi, Apex suggest much higher for the Jeep JL.

The PSI can only be tested in the Grenadier when the steering wheel is moving. One more reason the INEOS power steering is weak when crawling at low speed or driving in a turn at speed. Steering wheel not moving no pressure (0 PSI). Completely different than the Jeep JL.

The Jeep JL can be adjusted while on the steering stop when MAX PSI is recorded.

 

[Agile1]

Module to adjust the pump volume? lol max volume please

Not max, however, more volume would be nice, and constant stable pressure.

 

[Agile1]

LOL. In 2025, anything is possible. Let's add some more complexity just for the fun of it!

Modules and/or emulators have been used for years to tweak modern systems.
Time to embrace the future

 

[Tazzieman]

Modules and/or emulators have been used for years to tweak modern systems.
Time to embrace the future

Cuddle away! I'm happily stuck in the past
Except for medical advances. They represent my future prospects

 

[Dokatd]

I installed the Apex Boost Kit for Jeep JL, it's a similar pump. I do not install the remote cooler.

https://agileoffroad.com/product/steering-boost-kit/

Factory PSI was recorded at 450-500psi Max.

I was conservative and adjusted to 950-1000psi, Apex suggest much higher for the Jeep JL.

The PSI can only be tested in the Grenadier when the steering wheel is moving. One more reason the INEOS power steering is weak when crawling at low speed or driving in a turn at speed. Steering wheel not moving no pressure (0 PSI). Completely different than the Jeep JL.

The Jeep JL can be adjusted while on the steering stop when MAX PSI is recorded.

I really think a lot of the highway handling issues could be attributed to the pump shutting down when little to no demand. I could be wrong there though. I also feel like lower pressure at highway speeds and higher pressure at low speed would be ideal.

Regardless, I can believe the factory PSI is so low. The new normal is really jacking with my brain.

 

[LeftCoastOverland]

I've been driving my Tough Dog Damper for a couple days around town. Not a huge difference, but feels smoother on Setting 5 when I compare to my memory of the factory unit.
My steering wheel alignment has always been a tick off to the right with the factory one, but the TD damper seems to have brought the steering wheel back to true. I need to get up and stretch the grenadier's legs on the motorway, but for now I'm happy with the money spent.

 

[ppearman]

I installed the Apex Boost Kit for Jeep JL, it's a similar pump. I do not install the remote cooler.

https://agileoffroad.com/product/steering-boost-kit/

Factory PSI was recorded at 450-500psi Max.

I was conservative and adjusted to 950-1000psi, Apex suggest much higher for the Jeep JL.

The PSI can only be tested in the Grenadier when the steering wheel is moving. One more reason the INEOS power steering is weak when crawling at low speed or driving in a turn at speed. Steering wheel not moving no pressure (0 PSI). Completely different than the Jeep JL.

The Jeep JL can be adjusted while on the steering stop when MAX PSI is recorded.

Would I be correct in assuming that you didn’t install the cooler since you weren’t going to the Apex recommended 2000 psi?

Perhaps this is the solution to steering whine - or maybe i am being overly optimistic ?!?!

 

[HereinDaRockies]

Not max, however, more volume would be nice, and constant stable pressure.

What?

 

[Agile1]

Would I be correct in assuming that you didn’t install the cooler since you weren’t going to the Apex recommended 2000 psi?

Perhaps this is the solution to steering whine - or maybe i am being overly optimistic ?!?!

Correct, I haven't seen any heat issues with it. My setup has 25,000 plus miles on it.

 

[Agile1]

What?

My reply to you comment "Module to adjust the pump volume? lol max volume please"

 

[parb]

Is the steering system the Bosch Servotwin and servocom system?

https://www.bosch-mobility.com/en/solutions/steering/servotwin/

https://www.bosch-mobility.com/en/solutions/steering/servocom/

 

[Agile1]

Is the steering system the Bosch Servotwin and servocom system?

https://www.bosch-mobility.com/en/solutions/steering/servotwin/

https://www.bosch-mobility.com/en/solutions/steering/servocom/

Not the Servotwin, the gear box is possibly the servocom

 

[Zimm]

I installed the Apex Boost Kit for Jeep JL, it's a similar pump. I do not install the remote cooler.

https://agileoffroad.com/product/steering-boost-kit/

Factory PSI was recorded at 450-500psi Max.

I was conservative and adjusted to 950-1000psi, Apex suggest much higher for the Jeep JL.

The PSI can only be tested in the Grenadier when the steering wheel is moving. One more reason the INEOS power steering is weak when crawling at low speed or driving in a turn at speed. Steering wheel not moving no pressure (0 PSI). Completely different than the Jeep JL.

The Jeep JL can be adjusted while on the steering stop when MAX PSI is recorded.

was there any difference in tone? has this been put on a noisy pump? just curious if some of this noise is high frequency valve chatter.

 

[Dokatd]

Just my opinion, but the whine sure sounds like the electric motor not the hydraulic portion of the pump.

 

[AM03]

Are there any caveats with the additional software? Will normal software updates from ineos still work or will there be any additional steps or problems?

 

[Zimm]

Just my opinion, but the whine sure sounds like the electric motor not the hydraulic portion of the pump.

Well, my issue has been, electric motors are very consistent when manufactured, you dont get 10% of motors coming off the line as being noisy. lots of NVH and heat tend to be your cues for impending doom, and yet we get mostly quiet units with some squealers as far as the pump assemblies go, and nothing is failing. so, I'm not sold on the actual motor being the assembly culprit just just yet, I'm still leaning towards it being the application, like a cheaply constructed or poorly designed impeller with bad bearings or out of balance, or a valve.