HELP: I keep cooking power steering pumps

[BrandonF]

A few months back, my ps pump began to whine and got gradually worse. I cleaned the reservoir filter and flushed the system but it made no difference. The pump was terribly whiny, but it functioned perfectly. Even off road, I never experienced any loss of power steering. However, the whining was just too annoying, so I replaced the pump, reservoir and pulley assembly.

Initially, the new pump was fine, but has gradually developed a whine. I did some wheeling last weekend and the whining got way worse. I also started to lose power steering. I opened the hood and felt the reservoir. It was so hot, I couldn't hold my hand against it for more than a second. The fluid also turned black and smells terrible. I believe it got burnt. The fluid from the first pump looked the same, so I'm assuming it overheated at some point as well.

Yesterday, I did another thorough flush of the system. It took 3.5 litres of ATF before reasonably clean fluid started coming out the return line (at $15/litre…).
The function of the pump nor the noise changed at all from the flush. Its terribly whiny and I have little to no power steering. When Im at a standstill on pavement, it takes a ton of effort to turn the steering wheel.

I cannot figure out why this is happening and its very frustrating. I keep throwing money at this power steering system and nothing is resolving the issue. I realize that my 285's put extra strain on the steering, but that doesn't explain why the new pump failed in less than a month.

 

[jaredking733]

I just did this flush myself, roughly following the DIY here on this forum. Mine went very well, aside from spilling what seems like 5 gallons of old fluid that continues to drip as we speak. It only took about 1-1.25 quarts to get it totally flushed.

Anyways, maybe it's time to consult a reputable shop. I can't begin to explain why you're having so much trouble. Mine was very straight forward.

 

[nissanh]

Power steering

I think you have an issue with the steering rack. May be it is clogged and little oil is passing through it and as a result your oil gets highly pressurized leading to the high temperature.

How much dirt you removed from the screen on the 1st P/S pump? I cleaned my pump screen (according to the thread posted in the t4r site) and found little to no dirt, this is after 200K miles.

I'd say apply some high pressure air into the oil exit line directly on the P/S rack (not to the pump).

 

[BrandonF]

I think you have an issue with the steering rack. May be it is clogged and little oil is passing through it and as a result your oil gets highly pressurized leading to the high temperature.

How much dirt you removed from the screen on the 1st P/S pump? I cleaned my pump screen (according to the thread posted in the t4r site) and found little to no dirt, this is after 200K miles.

I'd say apply some high pressure air into the oil exit line directly on the P/S rack (not to the pump).

The first p/s pump screen was very dirty. I poured a ton of gunk out of it.
I've thought about rack issues too but I don't know what it could be. The system seems to have very good flow. For the first flushes I did, I did the method with turning the engine on. I would turn it on and then turn it off right away as the reservoir would get drained pretty much instantly.

There aren't any leaks anywhere in the system either (no aeration or foaming in the reservoir when its running) but Im wondering if its possible for the rack to be blown internally somehow. I don't know what it looks like inside so I don't know if that makes sense or not.

 

[BrandonF]

Bump

Does anyone else have any insight on this issue? What about the guys running 35's? I'd imagine that must be brutal on the whole steering system.