I have been autocrossing my 03 Track edition for about 8 events now and I have a significant problem with the power steering and was wondering if anyone could help.

Symptoms:
Turn the wheel very quickly from one extreme to another, the power steering cuts out completely. After a couple of runs, the power steering is definitely HOT(Bubbling) and have noticed that it is relative to RPM.

I have taken it to the dealer and they simply told me it was not broken. I have replaced the PS fluid with Redline and the oil cooler to one with larger displacement than Nismo, this made the power steering smoother and better but did not solve the problem.

Everything leads me to believe that I have a bad power steering pump, but wanted to make sure before I replace it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

I seen posts by people running on the track reporting that the PS fluid overheats but never from an autocross. I'd agree with your guess that it's a PS pump problem. Don't know if there are any easy tests you can perform on it - I would assume the dealer would have done them.

 

Thanks for the information, I ordered an 04 power steering pump for $65, so I will see if this fixes it.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavesZ#3
I seen posts by people running on the track reporting that the PS fluid overheats but never from an autocross. I'd agree with your guess that it's a PS pump problem. Don't know if there are any easy tests you can perform on it - I would assume the dealer would have done them.

A power steering cooler might also help. I believe the Stillen cooler is about $150. I was thinking of going that route on my TT.

 

Thanks for the feedback so here is an update!

I replaced the power steering pump with a salvage that I found for $65, also replaced the fluid with Red Line. The problem went away, no problem going side to side and very smooth and easy like power steering should be.

Problem:
I went to an autocross this weekend and the first run went great!
At the end of the second run, it started feeling worse and then it returned to the same problem as before. The power steering fluid was hot.

So here is the big question....Did I damage the power steering pump again? or is it something else.