power steering can't keep up
 

I havent read this anywhere yet but it has become a pain in the butt in the slalom. Low rpm 2nd gear the car just dies when it comes to power steering. It can't keep up and even though I am a strong guy I have a hard time turning the wheel just to make the damn turn.


anyone else experience this?

I have a power steering cooler now but before the cooler it would get boiling and overflow but never just stopped working.

Maybe the power steering pump is going.

hmm at 35k miles?

I hope not but at quick lock to lock, low speeds, low revs, and I am running 265 front tires.

I used to notice this with the 2003. The feeling was that the steering couldn't keep up with the inputs. I don't experience it with my 2008. BTW, I'm running 285s Kuhmos all around.

Other autocrossers who have driven my Z have commented on how slow the steering seems to react to quick inputs. I don't really have anything else to compare it to so it's hard to say.

As DriveI65 points out - there is a difference between the steering on the 03-05 models and 06+. In 06 Nissan switched to a speed sensitive steering.

Dave, are the parts out there to make the "upgrade" to an 03-05 model? I'm not entirely sure of what's involved but I'm curious to know.

Also, did the G35's get the change earlier or at the same time?

Not sure about the G's. I haven't seen anything on doing an upgrade either. I'll have to go compare part numbers on the PS pump, rack, etc. and see where the difference is.

I think it would be very helpful to get something documented for it; especially if it's an inexpensive part to replace.

Thanks for looking into this!

I have a power steering cooler and that helped ten fold......actually its not an issue anymore, boiling, steering response anything..........it kept it working great...

- J

Ive noticed it as well. The steering is slower than my sisters rsx. I thought i just needed a bigger radiatior for the PS fluid.

last pic.

I drift and autoX my car and have Zero problems with response or temps...
-j

I find it hard to believe that overheating is a problem in an autocross. I can see where a larger PS cooler will help on the track, but not in a 60 second autocross.

I'm gonna have to look into this. I did 2 autocrosses this weekend, and on the first day I had 2 people driving my car, so It got a lot of use. At the end of the day I noticed that there was a thick red looking fluid sitting inside my front wheel. A few people looked at it, and decided that it was power steering fluid. Looks like I need to definately do this mod. Either that, or something else is broken...

jasonz-ya did you do a DIY write up on that cooler with part numbers? I searched the DIY section with "power steering cooler" and didn't see it :(

100% agreed.

I see a difference in the fluid state when I remove the front plate at "hot" events.

However, mine is able to keep up, but you need to keep the weight off the front of the car.

I am going to bleed the system, check the belt for tension before I go with the cooler.

also i was running 34psi on the fronts

Guys, I wanted to dig this thread back up.
I have an 06 base, was running today in about 90 degree weather and experienced the sluggish power sterring bug.

I have to look into this now and find something to fix it. Fluids first I guess.

Please post a link to that cooler, i got the $30 summit one and still boil my fluid , time to upgrade again.