Power Steering System

[1Bad68Cat]

Hi Lateral-G faithful,

Not sure if this is the correct forum, if not, Admins please move. I am losing my power steering after the truck gets up to temperature or after a short drive. It only comes back after the truck has cooled down. The power steering fluid is hot which I think is the issue. A little about the truck. I have a 66 C10 with an LY6/6L90 swap. Used the donor truck's front drive accessories. I am also using an Astro Van hydroboost and a CPP steering box. I've replaced the power steering pump, the power steering lines, and the hydroboost, but see no improvement. I've also installed a 4th gen camaro power steering cooler. I'm hesitant to change the steering box only to find out that didn't work either. Any suggestions on what else I can check? If it's suggested to change the box, is there something I can check in the box that can be remedied before ultimately going that route (some kind of valve for instance)? FYI, the power steering pump has the dual return for hydroboost as the truck the engine came from had hydroboost. Thanks in advance.

[Zspoiler]

Maybe an oil cooler would help.Just put it on the low pressure side.

[1Bad68Cat]

Maybe an oil cooler would help.Just put it on the low pressure side.

I'll give that a shot. I just didn't expect to need it for a street driven truck.

[1Bad68Cat]

Maybe an oil cooler would help.Just put it on the low pressure side.

I forgot, are you referring to a standard oil cooler as apposed to the gen IV camaro power steering cooler I already have installed?

[Zspoiler]

If the one you are already using isnt enough .Then you can always try a larger size.

[CraigS]

In My FFR roadster I used to lose assist on hot days 3/4 through an autocross run. Honda PS fluid helped a lot but the final fix was a cooler in the return line.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/der-13311

[Musclerodz]

have you swapped positions on the return lines? Your aerating the fluid and not getting the air out before its getting pumped back into the system. If that doesn't help get a larger remote reservoir from KRC.

[1Bad68Cat]

have you swapped positions on the return lines? Your aerating the fluid and not getting the air out before its getting pumped back into the system. If that doesn't help get a larger remote reservoir from KRC.

Hi Mike. I've tried swapping return lines with no luck. My biggest concern is I'm not auto-crossing, so I'm a little surprised I even need a cooler. I'm left wondering if I'm overlooking something basic that is causing me issues. I changed the gear box this past weekend since I was able to get it covered under warranty. As soon as I have the rest of the truck back together, I'll see how the power steering behaves.

[CarlC]

Fluid temperatures can be monitored with something like this: https://www.mcmaster.com/temperature-stickers

What power steering fluid is being used? It is surprising how bad most of the name brand power steering fluids are, and how good the real GM power steering fluid is.

[1Bad68Cat]

Fluid temperatures can be monitored with something like this: https://www.mcmaster.com/temperature-stickers

What power steering fluid is being used? It is surprising how bad most of the name brand power steering fluids are, and how good the real GM power steering fluid is.

Carl, I've used all different kinds from ATF, to "Power Steering" fluid. At the moment, I have switched out the steering box, flushed the power steering system and I'm using Lucas per the steering box manufacturer's recommendation. After I finish the remaining to-do list items on the truck, I'll take it for a test drive.

[1Bad68Cat]

So I just wanted to give an update. Power steering appears to be fixed. Had the truck aligned yesterday. I replaced the steering gear box and there was a night and day difference. The old gear box felt almost like a manual gear box (when cold), but was precise. Of course when the vehicle warmed up, the steering was worse than a manual gear box especially with the wide front tires. The new gear box felt closer to a typical power steering gear box. The power steering fluid did not get hot so I was able to remove the gen 4 camaro power steering cooler. I will be driving the truck more often to see how it pans out, but everything looks on the up and up.

[CraigS]

Glad you got it fixed and thanks for letting us know the solution.