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SVT-Power Steering Cooler? AutoX

3.2K views 38 replies 17 participants last post by  davlafont  
#1 ·
Anyone running a power steering cooler on their SVTs for AutoX? I know the fluids get hot then cause ur high pressure or pump to go on u and apparently the cooler helps? anyone use it and find it to help?
 
#4 ·
You shouldn't be having problems at autocrosses. The only place I've seen PS Pumps fail is on track.
 
#11 ·
The whole reason for p/s heat is over spinning the pump. It's made to spend alot of time around 2-3000 rpm, as in daily driving.
Autocross you don't overspin it long enough to cause problems.
Track use, where everything is spinning much faster (5-7000 rpm) for much longer, can lead to over heating/ over pressurizing the lines.
Cooler can help, as can underdrive (larger) pulley on the pump.
 
#12 ·
That's just crazy talk. The engine has a operating range of RPM, running in that range is not "over spinning".
A well designed system should be able to run in it's operating range.

I think the exhaust is the source of heat you need to isolate especially on the SVT.
 
#13 ·
Have you spent a lot of time on track with the SVT focus ZXT? A lot of us have, and we know what the power steering is doing. The pump basically is overspinning itself, cavitates, and blows something. It sucks, and a lot of us have had on track failures of the Power steering system and have found a few things that have helped prevent this.
 
#14 ·
This is typical of all Ford accessories. Do you remember the Tarus SHO, the one with the engine built by Yamaha, it had a 7k red line. The engine was designed with a 8k red line. Ford lowered the red line because its accessories couldn't be spun that high.
 
#15 · (Edited)
That's just crazy talk. The engine has a operating range of RPM
You are partly correct. The range for street cars is 2000-3000 (look at your tach motoring down the road).
6000-7000 will heat up the fluid. Has to do with shear. My A/Sedan car ate pumps till we found a larger pulley from a v-6. Still not perfect, but much better than it was.
 
#17 ·
ouikikazz said:
hmm so a cooler should essentially help? im gonna do the redline fluid when it gets a bit warmer outside but trying to see if i should do cooler too since i'll be flushing fluids out anyways.
It can't hurt, unless it leaks. (one more thing to go wrong) Maybe not needed for autoX, either. (lots of things that DO help to spend money on). If you plan to run time trials, track days or roadracing, sure. Good investment.:thumbup:
 
#18 ·
We were still blowing hoses on Squirt with the cooler. It wasn't untill we replaced the o-ring with a brass crush washer that we have had good results.


Sorry Gary, hope that didn't just curse us.
 
#21 ·
oK.
Mine split at the junction going into the rack. Not the hose, but the metal tube part of the fitting. Was I just lucky? and where do we get these magic brass crush washers?;)
Focus-ZXT does seem to have a bit of experience with drag racing his Focus, so he may not see the prolonged high rpms some of us have.
Good call on his part, as far as heat, especially with a turbo, but I feel slowing down the pump speed is the answer. Still looking for that elusive bigger pulley.
 
#23 ·
The problem is mostly only on the SVT, we know this from experience.

The reason isn't the RPM, so much as it is the restrictor they put in the pump outlet to increase the steering feel. However, RPM plays a factor too.

Normally engines are torture tested to make sure they can withstand this type of thing. I believe the root cause is a late design change that was released under the auspices of SVE without the proper validation testing being done.
 
#24 ·
rheacer said:
oK.
Mine split at the junction going into the rack. Not the hose, but the metal tube part of the fitting. Was I just lucky? and where do we get these magic brass crush washers?;)
Focus-ZXT does seem to have a bit of experience with drag racing his Focus, so he may not see the prolonged high rpms some of us have.
Good call on his part, as far as heat, especially with a turbo, but I feel slowing down the pump speed is the answer. Still looking for that elusive bigger pulley.
i second that question where for the brass crush washers? :p
 
#26 ·
The problem is mostly only on the SVT, we know this from experience.
..and roadracing Mustangs... and SHO's......
Wouldn't higher RPM, no matter what the restriction add more heat/ stress? That shear thing again.
I guess I'm asking are folks that only drive on the street having the same problem i.e. power steering failures?