AJI Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 When running on wider than stock front tyres is there any general concensus that says you should run a thinner/thicker or upgraded power steering fluid ? I've noticed on both my Supra and my GTfour that after a fast few laps on the track that my power steering fluid seems to be getting quite hot and is slightly spilling out of the reservoir. If so, what grade of steering fluid is reccommended? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffvalenti Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I didn't think that power steering fluid/transmission fluid came in "grades" as such. I'm sure you can get oils of differing quality though. If its getting that hot, maybe you should think about putting a small cooler inline to reduce the temps. TBH, CW is far more qualified to answer this question than me though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyb10supra Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I think an extra cooler and some good ducting, maybe in the cavity infront of the passenger side wheel would be benifical if your using it on the track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 A cooler may be the way forward. Just out of interest, after how many miles should the power steering fluid be changed? (I don't have my manual to hand). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Stop drifting and drive normally, problem sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPRASUZUKI Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 I can't find the change frequency for the PAS fluid on my CD manual. Other fluids yes, but not PAS. Strange!! I changed mine a few months back at 90k miles just for peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyb10supra Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 A cooler may be the way forward. Just out of interest, after how many miles should the power steering fluid be changed? (I don't have my manual to hand). I know I should'nt but I always go on how the fluid smells/looks this is my indiacator that a change is needed not so for engine oil >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 Bobbeh - yeah that may also be something to do with the problem Well I think I'm going to change it to be on the safe side. I'm guessing this fluid is like all the others in that it absorbes water and become less effective with water content.... similar to how brake fluid absorbes water and fades when it gets hot. It may be the proposed water content that is expanding with the heat causing it to expand and over flow ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Any chance of filling a cooling unit, didnt Ernie (Chiefgroover) have PAS fluid issues at the Ring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefgroover Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 Yes Bob I did, I started out like AJI, local track days with power steering fluid popping out. I was guessing I was drifting to hard or I had lost a top seal or something? HOW WRONG I WAS!! That error of diagnosis almost cost me my life. Coming off the ring into the pit the rack started to stick, and five minutes later I managed to get it parked. Cost me a pump and a rack. Reason - PAS fluid gets old, absorbs moisture and generally wears out. IF I had changed it I would have been fine. However the supra system doesn't hold that much PAS fluid. So I fitted a cooler, and next time I want to get a larger reservoir as well. This is a very serious track issue, you could easy loose your car and your life with this problem. 10 yr old power steering is done, trust me its done, you just dont want to wait until it shows you that its done. Personally I wouldnt go near a track again without changing the fliud, once a year. AJI I told you twice last year to change the PAS fluid before going to the ring, as its the most demanding track in the world on PAS, listen young man.........have I advised you badly yet? lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted February 13, 2007 Author Share Posted February 13, 2007 ha ha yeah your right Ernie ! For some reason I was thinking you were on trackday tyres which would explain the extra loading on your power steering pump. I therefore assumed normal road tyres although on a 22km circuit would be fine. But advise is now understood and I will be changing my steering fluid before the next visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 I dont think you'd have problems fast road driving even at the ring, but shuffling the steering wheel all over the place as if you're drifting probably makes the problem a lot worse than it is. I'm sure Toyota would have tested the system to last longer than 8/9 mins of hard driving, so with decent PAS fluid you should be ok. Adding extras like Chief says should only help matters especially if you know you're going to be driving the car hard its only a good thing to aid durability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted February 13, 2007 Share Posted February 13, 2007 i got a very sweet little mocal cooler off e-bay for this purpose cost about £15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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