Power Steering System
 

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.