Anybody else have issues with power steering pump?

[Destructo09]

My brother and myself both ran our first autocross today and both cars had some terrible power steering pump whine after the first couple runs and it gradually got worse.

Both cars are 2010 SS, do these cars needs a power steering fluid cooler? This seems like it will kill my pump in very short order. Kinda disappointing chevy can't cool the power steering fluid.

[ba2ss]

buddy of mine had to replace the pump on his 2010 ss at 15k miles. His wife drove to work and when she went to leave power no steering...when he got it home had lost all fluid and ended up replacing the pump.

[Destructo09]

Originally Posted by ba2ss

buddy of mine had to replace the pump on his 2010 ss at 15k miles. His wife drove to work and when she went to leave power no steering...when he got it home had lost all fluid and ended up replacing the pump.

Not really relevant here, but thanks.

[Moonchopper]

I have 66k miles on my Camaro and haven't had any issues with power steering, so it sounds like that was a one off, ba2ss - unless, of course, she's a professional autocrosser and that's what you mean by she 'drove to work' :P

My Camaro exhibited same symptoms at first auto cross - coincidentally, at 66k miles. I chalked it up to just having a square set up (275's on the front), but since Destructo had some issues, I thought there might be something to it - We're both wondering if this is an issue.

[Lombardi]

don't think our power steering pumps are that tough. did some hard driving and donuts today for a video and now mine is shot.

- "Lifes to short to drive a boring car"

[Destructo09]

Originally Posted by Lombardi

don't think our power steering pumps are that tough. did some hard driving and donuts today for a video and now mine is shot.

- "Lifes to short to drive a boring car"

Define shot. Just making noise for the day or you literally had to replace it? Any extra cooling?

It looks like some extra cooling in the system will go a long way. I can't believe my Camaro Has no power steering cooling yet my Hyundai Santa Fe did.

I need some real answers here folks, like people that actually used their car for autocross and really worked the system, doughnuts don't count. Nobody uses their car for doughnuts unless you happen to wear a mullet.

[Lombardi]

Originally Posted by Destructo09

Define shot. Just making noise for the day or you literally had to replace it? Any extra cooling?

It looks like some extra cooling in the system will go a long way. I can't believe my Camaro Has no power steering cooling yet my Hyundai Santa Fe did.

I need some real answers here folks, like people that actually used their car for autocross and really worked the system, doughnuts don't count. Nobody uses their car for doughnuts unless you happen to wear a mullet.

literally shot probably. got a nice whine noise now.

and fyi it wasn't just donuts. that's just when it finally went. I'm sure my car got more of a work out today then any autocross

- "Lifes to short to drive a boring car"

[Synner]

I've boiled my fluid twice even with good synthetic fluid.

And we do have coolers integrated into the bottom of the a/c unit, it'd just undersized once you go with sticky tires and a long session. A couple people have had issues on autocross tracks with long sweepers integrated into the course but not a lot as not too many tracks have that.

The high rpm with wheel cranked pump death is due to no shaft bearing and high load. You can get a Turn One or Lingenfelter pump that has a bearing but Turn One offers a lower ratio for less heat buildup as well. Either option is pricey.

[Destructo09]

Originally Posted by Synner

I've boiled my fluid twice even with good synthetic fluid.

And we do have coolers integrated into the bottom of the a/c unit, it'd just undersized once you go with sticky tires and a long session. A couple people have had issues on autocross tracks with long sweepers integrated into the course but not a lot as not too many tracks have that.

The high rpm with wheel cranked pump death is due to no shaft bearing and high load. You can get a Turn One or Lingenfelter pump that has a bearing but Turn One offers a lower ratio for less heat buildup as well. Either option is pricey.

This course did have a sweeper at the end about the whole width of a smallish run way. Actually here's the video of my last two runs if you guys wanna see.



I'm just running 245 Invos in the front so nothing crazy sticky or anything like that. I register for CAM which requires a 200+ Treadwear. Running Novice though for now since i'm a noob lol.

[mpiersd]

Power Steering fluid breaks down just like any other fluid. More so in cars that are tracked or driven "spiritedly".
I change out the fluid in all of my cars every 25K miles.
I would recommend you do so immediatley and consider changing the fluid every 3-4 months if you are going to compete on a regular basis.
At the least, its a bit of peace of mind until you can install an in-line cooler.

[Destructo09]

Originally Posted by mpiersd

Power Steering fluid breaks down just like any other fluid. More so in cars that are tracked or driven "spiritedly".
I change out the fluid in all of my cars every 25K miles.
I would recommend you do so immediatley and consider changing the fluid every 3-4 months if you are going to compete on a regular basis.
At the least, its a bit of peace of mind until you can install an in-line cooler.

I'm sure it's never been changed, I guess that's one of the fluids that normally goes neglected when most people don't think about it. I'll probably be swapping the fluid and will certainly be installing an inline cooler.

The pump seemed mostly quiet today on the way to work and I likely won't be competing again until next spring unless our club comes up with another event close by.

[mpiersd]

Originally Posted by Destructo09

I'm sure it's never been changed, I guess that's one of the fluids that normally goes neglected when most people don't think about it. I'll probably be swapping the fluid and will certainly be installing an inline cooler.

The pump seemed mostly quiet today on the way to work and I likely won't be competing again until next spring unless our club comes up with another event close by.

Tends to happen. We get caught up in changing engine oil, trans fluid upgrading brake fluid.

[Destructo09]

Yep, i'm running Royal Purple in the trans, and Diff.

Considering it was a cold day like as in sub 50* F and my fluid was obviously hot, I think i'm going to do the Derale 18" heatsink and see how that goes. Given the weather being cool it certainly worries me that the power steering had noticeable issues after 2 or 3 of my 7 runs. I feel like if I don't do something i'll be replacing the pump soon enough, or seals in the rack. Kinda makes me wish I had electric power steering, lol.

[L99CAMA2011]

Driven also offers a power steering fluid. I just switched to it from Redline. Driven PSF it's called.