Power steering

Are you guys doing anything extra to help out the power steering when running over sized tires? A power steering cooler is what I am thinking of. The extra strain on PS from off roading and big tires is my concern. Don't want to need a new rack or going to oversized Tundra rack. Turkey baster drain/fill with high quality synthetic ATF as often as I want has been the easy thing I have done so far. Thanks for any input.

 

No.

 

Nah I haven't seen anyone change anything around when adding larger tires. It wouldn't hurt anything if you did.

 

I don't see a lot of problems mentioned for PS. Think it's a safe bet PS not a problem until going to 35s and higher?

 

It does survive the biggest rubber race everyone plays.

 

What has contaminating fluid in power steering? Metal dust from pump and hi-temp burn outs and water from condensation. Cool it off is good. Filtering it is good. Changing it frequently is the best. And cheap. Steering rack starts to leak when seals damaged by contaminants and/or cylinder scratched.

 

^ I agree with power steering fluid flushes being the best preventative maintenance here.

When it comes to cooling I think it comes down to application. In Texas it's common to see temps over 105-110f during the summer. Any hydraulic fluid can overheat and all hydraulic fluid degrades over time. My power steering pump hated me on 33's while wheeling in the summer. But most folks on this forum haven't experienced that. No offense to anyone.

I think for short trips, fire/ forestry roads or even the occasional off road park it's not necessary (even with oversized tires.) But if you're running tight trails for 5-6 hours at a time in 105-115 degrees you will start hearing and feeling that power steering pump struggle. Depending on your mechanical empathy you may want to get ahead of that problem. Considering how easy it us to install an in-line heat sink I'd say do it if your application uncovers that weakness.

Conversely, if you never hear power steering whine then don't worry about it. Your application doesn't necessitate it.

Just my two cents.