S13 Power Steering Problem

[s13q]

Hey guys

So I took my power steering high pressure hose to a specialist to fix and they did a heaps good job at rebuilding it.

It was just as a pain to put back than it was to get out but I got there.

Since there was no fluid in the system and topped it up and went over and turned the wheel lock to lock as you do.

I did this 3-4 times and to my surprise it took in 750ml of fluid then I looked underneath and saw this:



The reservoir cap was open, could the fluid of bursted out due to the brand to pipe and the air in it?

I took another look at the reservoir and it was full (I could see the fluid).

So I immediately got pissed and though specialist did a dodgy job on the hose but the hose looked fine.

I really couldn't pin point where the fluid came from.

Anyways, I took the car for a test drive.

The steering is so heavy I can barely get it lock to lock. If I let go itll spring back.

After a 2-3km test drive which included suburban driving, 60km main road and endless laps of a empty car park not one single drop was seen.

The reservoir it full and the P/S pump isnt being starved cause it doesnt make that typical whining noise.

The steering is just so damn heavy, its drivable... but tiring. I felt it got better as I drove.

Is there alot of air in my system?

I thought about it and I might of switched the inlet and outlet pipes to the rack by accident, but they have different threads so it would be impossible right?

[Mikester]

Sounds like you still have air in the system. Go lock-lock several times with the cap on, then check it. You may have to repeat a few times.

[Frank_Jaeger]

Is this real life? I didn't even know the high pressure line could be rebuilt.

Your car should have been running when you bled the system. It's normal for it to overflow when you lock the wheel, if it's full.

The threads are the same (I think), but the nuts are different.

What fluid did you use? This is probably why you're getting so much resistence. What brand, and what type? ATF? Power Steering? Dexron III?

If I remember right, Dexron III feels the best, with ATF a close second. Either or are recommended. Do not use power steering fluid or you'll fuck everything up.

EDIT: Make sure your hardlines look like this:

[s13q]

Originally Posted by Frank_Jaeger

Is this real life? I didn't even know the high pressure line could be rebuilt.

Your car should have been running when you bled the system. It's normal for it to overflow when you lock the wheel, if it's full.

The threads are the same (I think), but the nuts are different.

What fluid did you use? This is probably why you're getting so much resistence. What brand, and what type? ATF? Power Steering? Dexron III?

If I remember right, Dexron III feels the best, with ATF a close second. Either or are recommended. Do not use power steering fluid or you'll fuck everything up.

EDIT: Make sure your hardlines look like this:

Hey thanks for the help!

Its a RHD Silvia but the rack looks the same, from your photo the hardlines look the right way. Ill make sure soon.

I used Castrol Power Steering Fluid. Why does it mess the system up? :L

[Frank_Jaeger]

The FSM says to use "Dexron II or equivalent," which is ATF. You're not supposed to use power steering fluid, trust me. Switch fluids, you'll notice a world of difference when turning the wheel. I've made the mistake of using PS fluid. Make sure you bleed the system. I did a write up on it, I'll see if I can find it later.

edit: I'm not sure why Nissan designed the system this way, but the properties of PS fluid and DexII differ. Something to do with viscocity and operating temps. PS fluid is too thick.

[coupesallday!]

So use dextron etc for manual and automatic s13?

[Sinikal21]

I have a similar issue with my s13. The steering is way to heavy, doesn't make the whining noise either. I was going to replace the Pump but after reading this I might just flush the system as I don't know what type of fluid the previous owner used. Keep us posted.

[Frank_Jaeger]

Here's the writeup I did over a year ago:

I would use ATF fluid. I used Dexron IV and it made my pump whine / there was more resistance when turning the wheel. I reflushed with ATF fluid and it's as good as it was (just no leaks now).

Materials needed:
Rag (for spillage).
Turkey baster (to suck out the fluid).
ATF fluid (should have at least 3 quarts).
Empty container or jug (to hold old fluid).
One Silvia or Silvia derivative.

FIlling up after replacing line:
1. Pop the hood.
2. Remove PS cap off reservoir.
3. Fill reservoir with fluid (assuming you replaced a line and drained it).
4. Start car.
5. Move steering wheel all the way to the right. Then all the way to the left. Stop if you hear air getting sucked in the pump [Repeat this step 2x, this is optional but I did it multiple times anyway]
6. Top off reservoir again.
7. Repeat steps 5-6 until there's no more air in the system.

Flushing (assuming you do this right after filling):
1. Remove the power steering res filter, put it somewhere CLEAN and be careful not to get dirt inside.
2. Use turkey baster to remove ~75% of the old fluid out of the reservoir. Put it into the container. I used a Tupperware container. Be careful not to remove too much, or you'll introduce air into the system.
3. Fill reservoir back up. (Although it's hard to tell, the fluid in the res is moving through the system / mixing)
4. Turn wheel all the way left, then all the way right. By all the way, I mean the bump stops. You'll feel them. [Repeat 2x, again optional]
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until the fluid coming out (should be dark red at first) looks like the fluid going in (light red). If you use all the fluid, make sure that if you go back to step 2 you have enough fluid for step 4.
6. Put filter back in.
7. Put cap back on.
8. Drop hood.
9. Done.

[s13q]

Originally Posted by Frank_Jaeger

Here's the writeup I did over a year ago:

Hey thanks for the write up. I did it and Im not sure if Im getting used to the steering or its getting better. Its so hard to turn at low speeds/stationary. I have to use brute force with 2 hands to do a simple u-turn.

Heres a photo of my hard lines, are they correct? (Please note its a RHD Silvia not 240SX. Im standing on the drives side of the car)

PS. Maybe thats why the fluid went everywhere, the outlet/inlet lines are swapped. When i turn it pushes the fluid out instead of in?



Thanks again for the help.

[Frank_Jaeger]

It looks right to me (line with fat nut on top, towards firewall), but if someone with a RHD chassis wants to chime in, that'd be good.

Maybe try swapping the lines real quick just to see if you even can?

[s13q]

Originally Posted by Frank_Jaeger

It looks right to me (line with fat nut on top, towards firewall), but if someone with a RHD chassis wants to chime in, that'd be good.

Maybe try swapping the lines real quick just to see if you even can?

Yeah Ill try, I dont want to swap them just now cause they were a pain to get in (in terms of no room for spanner leverage).

[adey]

Semi-hijack... And revival...
anyone know if the RHD and LHD SR20DET high pressure lines are the same? If different, how different? I have a RHD and am looking for a hose!

Thanks in advance!

[adey]

Apparently they are NOT the same.
Anyone have a part number (or a source) for the RHD high pressure line, please?

TIA!

Originally Posted by adey

Semi-hijack... And revival...
anyone know if the RHD and LHD SR20DET high pressure lines are the same? If different, how different? I have a RHD and am looking for a hose!

Thanks in advance!