Power steering problem @ auto-x--looses assist...

GTB/ZR-1 · 01-14-2007, 05:32 PM

I did a search & didn't see anything related to this.
This is my 2nd STi & I never had an issue like this on the other car.

In a tight slalom, the steering looses assist, and becomes extremely difficult--I mean nearly impossible to turn the wheel.
I have a very aggressive driving style & really saw @ the wheel to maintain momentum & this condition won't do...

Anyone else ever experience this issue? I have a feeling if I bring it to the dealer they'll say it's "just fine"

TIA people.

George B.

**spazegun2213** · 01-14-2007, 05:39 PM

I've seen this posted by a LOT of people. Basicly you are overheating the powersteering on the car. Throw a cooler on there ($200-$500) and you should be fine.

I'd pick up an B&M cooler from summit racing.

GTB/ZR-1 · 01-14-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spazegun2213

I've seen this posted by a LOT of people. Basicly you are overheating the powersteering on the car. Throw a cooler on there ($200-$500) and you should be fine.

I'd pick up an B&M cooler from summit racing.

I did a search w/ no luck--guess I must not have used the right key words, anyways...

Another STi driver just made a post on the autocross forum & stated he had the same issue on 2 of his runs--never happened to him before either.
The course had some very tight slaloms in some sections, and I think this must have caused the issue. I think it'll be fine on tradtional courses.

Thx for the response

05_GD7 · 01-15-2007, 06:32 AM

does the STI have some sort of "speed variable" power steering?

I ask this because my 98 Prelude was like this during autocross, because the Steering assist was RPM dependant, not vehicle speed dependant. So when you're buzzing around in 1st gear at high rpm, there was almost no power steering.

I'm wondering if this could be the case with the STi as well.

GTB/ZR-1 · 01-15-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05_GD7

does the STI have some sort of "speed variable" power steering?

I ask this because my 98 Prelude was like this during autocross, because the Steering assist was RPM dependant, not vehicle speed dependant. So when you're buzzing around in 1st gear at high rpm, there was almost no power steering.

I'm wondering if this could be the case with the STi as well.

Not that I know of.

I was in 2nd gear & the RPM through that very tight part of the course was relatively low. I did try it in 1st during a fun run, but it didn't help the steering issue.

osbjmg · 01-15-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05_GD7

does the STI have some sort of "speed variable" power steering?

It looks like it is RPM dependent from the specs:
"Engine-speed-sensing quick-ratio variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion.
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6"

From: http://www.subaru.com/shop/specifica...ry=PERFORMANCE

05_GD7 · 01-15-2007, 07:51 AM

^^^there you go.

Exactly what I experienced with my prelude - especially on the tighter courses.

Tortfeasor STi · 01-15-2007, 09:13 PM

So it makes sense running high RPM in low gear equates relatively low speeds with high engine speeds and makes it hard to turn. Interesting.

xrocket21 · 01-16-2007, 06:19 AM

I have this problem as well.

I have added 9" rims and 145 azenis. With the stock setup I got it a little, if it was really hot and I pushed the car hard in auto-x. But since adding so much more weight tothe steering, I get it a lot more. Like you say, by the end of a tough slslom, the power steering fails and it gets REALLY hard to steer.

I agree this it is the power steering fluid getting too hot. I have felt mine before, and you can't even touch the container. B&M cooler might help, I have just dealt with it.

Just know that you arent the only one it happens to.

Mykl · 01-16-2007, 06:35 AM

I started getting this problem and I bought some Redline synthetic power steering fluid. I haven't put it in yet because the problem hasn't come up in a while. My particular issue is that I was sawing away at the steering wheel entirely too much.

GTB/ZR-1 · 01-16-2007, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrocket21

I have this problem as well.

I have added 9" rims and 145 azenis. With the stock setup I got it a little, if it was really hot and I pushed the car hard in auto-x. But since adding so much more weight tothe steering, I get it a lot more. Like you say, by the end of a tough slslom, the power steering fails and it gets REALLY hard to steer.

I agree this it is the power steering fluid getting too hot. I have felt mine before, and you can't even touch the container. B&M cooler might help, I have just dealt with it.

Just know that you arent the only one it happens to.

Yes, I forgot to mention I'm running 8.5" rims w/ 245 615s in an unlimited street-tire class w/ our club, so I'm sure that contributed to the problem.

The slalom @ the end designed to slow people down before the finish (co-designed & approved by the club President--yours truly

) will go down in our club's 47 year history as one of the tightest ever

Thx for the help guys & I'll be doing a flush & refill w/ synthetic to help w/ the issue.

loworbitSI · 01-17-2007, 06:14 AM

I had this problem occasionally while autocrossing, but had the P/S fluid boil over while hot lapping at MidOhio. I was able to find a vendor selling a JDM Ver. 7 power steering cooler that is 100% plug and play. It's way less than the B&M version. Flush the fluid with Redline also, and you shouldn't ever have any issues. Good luck.

**Turninconcepts.com** · 01-17-2007, 07:12 AM

Better fluid and a cooler will help.

i believe King of Imports has those Spec C PS cooler loops.

GTB/ZR-1 · 01-17-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loworbitSI

I had this problem occasionally while autocrossing, but had the P/S fluid boil over while hot lapping at MidOhio. I was able to find a vendor selling a JDM Ver. 7 power steering cooler that is 100% plug and play. It's way less than the B&M version. Flush the fluid with Redline also, and you shouldn't ever have any issues. Good luck.

Great tip loworbit & Turnin, but I've been searching all over the net for an hour w/ no luck so far. They go between $75-100--if one can be found...

If someone comes across one, pls pm me! Thx

**Turninconcepts.com** · 01-18-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTB/ZR-1

Great tip loworbit & Turnin, but I've been searching all over the net for an hour w/ no luck so far. They go between $75-100--if one can be found...

If someone comes across one, pls pm me! Thx

They really aren't all that special. you could build one with a small cooler core (even a cheap loop of copper with fins will work), some hose, and some aeroquip fittings. You can mount it behind a fog cover.

I've had an idea I've been sitting on for quite a while (like a year now) that would help this problem. The thing is to pull off this idea it would require a bunch of upfront $$ to even just build the prototype.

01-14-2007, 05:32 PM	#1
GTB/ZR-1 Amateur STI Driver Car: 05 WRB WRX STi w/ St Fav Mod: High Performance Posts: 24 IWSTI Addict since: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Power steering problem @ auto-x--looses assist... I did a search & didn't see anything related to this. This is my 2nd STi & I never had an issue like this on the other car. In a tight slalom, the steering looses assist, and becomes extremely difficult--I mean nearly impossible to turn the wheel. I have a very aggressive driving style & really saw @ the wheel to maintain momentum & this condition won't do... Anyone else ever experience this issue? I have a feeling if I bring it to the dealer they'll say it's "just fine" TIA people. George B. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

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01-14-2007, 05:39 PM	#2
spazegun2213 Poor Speed Racer Car: 96 328 Fav Mod: Tightening the nut behind the wheel! Location: Northern VA Posts: 8,441 IWSTI Addict since: Mar 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	I've seen this posted by a LOT of people. Basicly you are overheating the powersteering on the car. Throw a cooler on there ($200-$500) and you should be fine. I'd pick up an B&M cooler from summit racing.

01-15-2007, 06:32 AM	#4
05_GD7 Spec C Club Car: 05 STi - Black Fav Mod: No Lien Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,041 IWSTI Addict since: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	does the STI have some sort of "speed variable" power steering? I ask this because my 98 Prelude was like this during autocross, because the Steering assist was RPM dependant, not vehicle speed dependant. So when you're buzzing around in 1st gear at high rpm, there was almost no power steering. I'm wondering if this could be the case with the STi as well.

01-15-2007, 07:51 AM	#7
05_GD7 Spec C Club Car: 05 STi - Black Fav Mod: No Lien Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,041 IWSTI Addict since: Mar 2006 Trader Rating: (2)	^^^there you go. Exactly what I experienced with my prelude - especially on the tighter courses.

01-15-2007, 09:13 PM	#8
Tortfeasor STi S204 Racer Car: '08 335xi Coupe Fav Mod: Dinan Reflash Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 3,620 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	So it makes sense running high RPM in low gear equates relatively low speeds with high engine speeds and makes it hard to turn. Interesting.

01-16-2007, 06:19 AM	#9
xrocket21 The Next Petter Solberg Car: 2005 STI Fav Mod: Methanol Location: Boston area Posts: 936 IWSTI Addict since: Feb 2005 Trader Rating: (5)	I have this problem as well. I have added 9" rims and 145 azenis. With the stock setup I got it a little, if it was really hot and I pushed the car hard in auto-x. But since adding so much more weight tothe steering, I get it a lot more. Like you say, by the end of a tough slslom, the power steering fails and it gets REALLY hard to steer. I agree this it is the power steering fluid getting too hot. I have felt mine before, and you can't even touch the container. B&M cooler might help, I have just dealt with it. Just know that you arent the only one it happens to.

01-16-2007, 06:35 AM	#10
Mykl S204 Racer Car: '04.5 STi Fav Mod: Whiteline steering rack bushings Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 3,149 IWSTI Addict since: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	I started getting this problem and I bought some Redline synthetic power steering fluid. I haven't put it in yet because the problem hasn't come up in a while. My particular issue is that I was sawing away at the steering wheel entirely too much.

01-17-2007, 06:14 AM	#12
loworbitSI Professional STI Driver Car: 2004.5 Subaru WRX ST Fav Mod: 17x10s Location: Columbus OH Posts: 419 IWSTI Addict since: Aug 2004 Trader Rating: (3)	I had this problem occasionally while autocrossing, but had the P/S fluid boil over while hot lapping at MidOhio. I was able to find a vendor selling a JDM Ver. 7 power steering cooler that is 100% plug and play. It's way less than the B&M version. Flush the fluid with Redline also, and you shouldn't ever have any issues. Good luck.

01-17-2007, 07:12 AM	#13
Turninconcepts.com Authorized Vendor Car: 04/08STI 95SVX 86E30 Posts: 5,503 IWSTI Addict since: Jul 2003 Trader Rating: (54)	Better fluid and a cooler will help. i believe King of Imports has those Spec C PS cooler loops.