Power steering pump cavitation

ThatRed68

ThatRed68

Greenie N00B Member
I was at an event on Sunday and noticed that I would loose assist under rapid wheel movement such as in slaloms or any other large, quick changes in wheel angle. I spoke with a guy that ran a Mazda sanctioned autocross tour a few years back and he had noticed the same thing, Mazda told him it was an issue with the pump cavitating under high loads.

Has anyone discovered a fix for this? Im wondering if I can get away with swapping to better fluid and/or running an auxiliary cooler.
 
I'm assuming it is only an issue with the first gen speeds/ normal 3's? they went to an electric pump for 2010+ right?
 
My experience is with the 6. I would get various amounts of whine at times under high load, and lose some assist. Reservoir was kept full, but problem persisted. Ended up taking the pump apart and rebuilding with new seals, never had an issue again.

Also recommend a PS cooler. One track day screwed up a pump on the other car without a cooler.
 
That makes sense. Ill see if I can throw together a cooler on the cheap. the issue isn't too intrusive, its more of an annoyance for me. I have not noticed it on track, just tight autocross stuff. Thanks for the input
 
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