Well this my second autocross with the MR. The course was very very tight. My steering got hard, very hard to steer after passing the 1st or 2nd cone. I'm just wondering anyone have the similar problem.

I don't think I did anything wrong, did numerous autocross in a M3 last 2 years. I usually just release the throttle and press brake lightly on straight right before the turn to transfer ahead the weight of the car, wait until the front suspension gets loaded, rotate the steering wheel to make the car enter the turn, and then apply throttle while you are unwinding the steering wheel exiting the corner.

Does a the evo need to be driven differently?? On the first autocross course the MR behave normally, just hope I didn't break anything.

Any feedback is well appreciated, thanks.

 

anyone?

 

It's called pump cavitation.

Means that your power steering pump is having to work much harder than designed, causing cavitation in the fluid.

It happens in normal cars a LOT more often than it will ever in the Evo, but it's still possible.

Only real 2 solutions are:

1) Change out your power steering fluid... may be old and needs to be changed.

2) Find a way to drive it with less steering input, or smoother, so you give the pump a chance to catch up.

 

This happened all the time on my 95 Eclipse GST. High rpm activation of the speed sensitive steering causing a heavy steering wheel feeling even though its at low speeds. Never really concerned me because of the Adrenalin rush 8^)

Never happen on the EVO.

 

it never happend with me.

 

thanks Fireball.....

Too bad I was the only Evo on the course that day. My Evo only have less than 13k miles, less than 6 months, old. I don't think there will be worn out parts in the power steering pump agree? Again, thanks for the info.

 

This seems like a very strange problem for an Evo. I have autocrossed mine numerous times and never had power steering cutout (I have 44k on the clock too!). My 1991 eclipse had this problem, but thats because it had a terrible powersteering design. This could indicate a serious problem with your steering rack or pump. Have another experienced Evo driver test drive it to be certain.

 

I autoX my Evo a lot and have had this happen a couple times with quick large inputs. I've heard about it happening with STI's to, seems a change of fluid for them fixes it. I haven't tried changing the fluid yet but its worth a try.

 

I used to have this problem all the time many years ago when I autoXed a 97-01 Honda Prelude. The power steering pump was not able to keep up if I did a long series of quick steering transitions (i.e. long slalom) . As a result, the system would run out of pressure, and I would have no power steering at exactly the moment that I needed it most. In that Prelude, the issue was a relatively undersized power steering pump.

It can happen on any car with hydraulic steering. All you have to do to see this problem is use up all the pressure in the system before the power steering pump can replenish it.

To fix it for autoX? Maybe being smoother with your steering inputs would help? If you make a lot of little adjustments as you are steering, this exacerbates the problem. Smoother inputs to the steering uses up less hydraulic pressure and hopefully permits the steering pump to "keep up."

 

Thanks a lot guys for the info. I'm pretty sure the course is so freaking tight on that day. Hmmmm...kinda sad to found out there's a weakness in the Evo, since it's been really super good overall, except on mpg .

Was thinking to change to a wider setup on tires18x8.5, prolly will even be worst, better stay within stock setup. Thanks again.

 

bump

 

yeah it happens every now and then on a tight course. Had the same issue in my old talon.

nothing to worry about.