Steering problem
 

Hello...this is an odd one. Just looking for a few thoughts on the issue that I may have overlooked.

I have a No-Limit Engineering front end in my truck. It has a Turn One 1600 psi pump going to the hydroboost set-up, then to the PSC rack, then back to the PSC reservoir. After the truck is driven for 15 minutes or so and everything gets warm, it gets a LOT harder to steer. This is the second rack unit, so it does not seem to be that as I have jacked up the front of the truck when it is hot and it steers as easy as it does cold with no weight. All the NLE bushing were replaced with a different grade of poly bushings as their had a lot to be desired. I am using poly grease on all of them. The bushing have a tendency to creak after they get warm, but I cannot see a correlation between that and the hardness of steering.

Turn One says it sounds like the fluid is getting aerated, but there are no bubbles at all in the PSC reservoir and PSC says it is next to impossible to have aerated fluid with their reservoir. The fluid gets nowhere near maximum temperature, so the fluid isn't boiling.

This has been going on for a while. It doesn't get any worse or better. I am scratching my head on this.

Re: Steering problem
 

Am installing hydroboost myself. Have a custom ported unit from Vanco as I am using a steering assist ram. My power steering pump is from Turn one. A custom spec high pressure unit that flows about 5 gpm. A PSC line cooler is installed on the PS return to PSC reservoir, PS box is also PSC. Have not used system yet. Have no idea about your system. Reservoir should be mounted as high as possible and return line to pump should be downhill the entire way with no trap. If not the case maybe look there? Just throwing this out there as no responses.

Re: Steering problem
 

isn't there some kind of valve in the hydroboost that gives brakes priority over steering? If you warm truck up without touching brakes does steering effort increase or only after brakes are used when warm?

How does engine off cold steering effort compare to engine off hot steering effort with suspension loaded?

Re: Steering problem
 

The reservoir is pretty high with it being mounted 6" directly above the pump. I had to have 2 90 degree fittings (one out of the reservoir and one on the pump for the inlet, but that should not be an issue. Thanks for the info. Just looking for ideas.

Re: Steering problem
 

Hmmm...I never tried just letting the truck warm up to operating temp and try the steering. I will give that a try.

That seems about the same. I did notice the poly bushings makes lot of noise when it is hot. I thought this might be an issue, but the control arms barely move when sitting still turning the wheel, so I do not think that is an issue with the steering getting hard.