Power steering died when I was on the Freeway

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Next question is........what were you doing just prior to the steering becoming hard?

Do some searches for posts from Element Tuning. Phil has an FRS that is a pure track car and he has run into this problem several times while on track. If memory serves me, the power steering is an electro assist and the unit is on the lower part of the steering column under the dash (I believe).

There may even be some info in the owners manual about it.

Australia , middle of summer, on the highway and he said it was hot. I think the cause is a simple overheat. No mystery here.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Tomking

It is a GT model, Toyota could not see if there is any problem so it is hard for them too.

if I still alive next time it happen then I will stop for help.

Now you know what to expect at any rate. Yes, they get harder but certainly not impossible to steer especially when moving. Just don't panic and all will be fine.

[Tomking]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Next question is........what were you doing just prior to the steering becoming hard?

Do some searches for posts from Element Tuning. Phil has an FRS that is a pure track car and he has run into this problem several times while on track. If memory serves me, the power steering is an electro assist and the unit is on the lower part of the steering column under the dash (I believe).

There may even be some info in the owners manual about it.

The car is unmodified and I was driving it normally. Before the problem happened, I did rev the car to about 5 thousand RPM but that is normal for this car...

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by mav1178

It's obvious you've never driven a car with a manual steering rack.

As difficult as it is to turn, it's not impossible and definitely not a safety issue.

-alex

I can vouch for this I had a serpentine belt snap in a CR-V before and have driven older cars even though I'm super young and also had a Mazda MPV stall on a highway once, it's not that hard to turn and although it's disconcerting to some I feel anyone could do that all day without strain.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I can vouch for this I had a serpentine belt snap in a CR-V before and have driven older cars even though I'm super young and also had a Mazda MPV stall on a highway once, it's not that hard to turn and although it's disconcerting to some I feel anyone could do that all day without strain.

I have! 80% of my cars had no power steering. Mind you they had bigger steering wheels to give some leverage but still were pretty tough.
Probably just took him by surprise and made it seem worse then it was.

[FRSBRZGT86FAN]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have! 80% of my cars had no power steering. Mind you they had bigger steering wheels to give some leverage but still were pretty tough.
Probably just took him by surprise and made it seem worse then it was.

I think power steering was designed for heavier modern vehicles as technology progressed but I'm wondering if maybe in the future someone will come along and say make manual steering on a sports car an option for less money, I doubt it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I think power steering was designed for heavier modern vehicles as technology progressed but I'm wondering if maybe in the future someone will come along and say make manual steering on a sports car an option for less money, I doubt it.

There is a lot to be said for a nice manual rack and pinion steering system in a sporty car. I do like the 86 steering though since with the electric assist you get the feel of a manual system with the ease of power. A hydraulic system sucks up a lot of the road feel.

[Tomking]

Originally Posted by FRSBRZGT86FAN

I can vouch for this I had a serpentine belt snap in a CR-V before and have driven older cars even though I'm super young and also had a Mazda MPV stall on a highway once, it's not that hard to turn and although it's disconcerting to some I feel anyone could do that all day without strain.

This car has a electric power steering unlike other cars using oil pump power steering. When the electric motor died you are actually working against the power steering motor that why it is much harder to turn however it is not impossible.

When you are experiencing this situation at high speed on the freeway for the first time (without knowing there is problem) you will know how frighten that is..

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Australia , middle of summer, on the highway and he said it was hot. I think the cause is a simple overheat. No mystery here.

A/C was on, though. Servo unit is inside the cabin. o.O

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

A/C was on, though. Servo unit is inside the cabin. o.O

Under the dash, in the sun, blocked by other things, with no vents blowing on it. Gonna get bloody hot even with the air on.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tomking

This car has a electric power steering unlike other cars using oil pump power steering. When the electric motor died you are actually working against the power steering motor that why it is much harder to turn however it is not impossible.

When you are experiencing this situation at high speed on the freeway for the first time (without knowing there is problem) you will know how frighten that is..

No one is attacking you. It's an operating mode that is clearly stated in the owner's manual.

I often do dumb shit like clutch in and kill the engine (not all the way! Don't lock the column!) just to see what the brakes and steering feel like when shit goes sideways.

Find an empty street and try it. Then practice bump-starting the engine.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Under the dash, in the sun, blocked by other things, with no vents blowing on it. Gonna get bloody hot even with the air on.

True, I know but I've driven the shit out of mine. Tried to find the limit last summer. Couldn't get it to complain no matter how hard I beat on it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Tomking

This car has a electric power steering unlike other cars using oil pump power steering. When the electric motor died you are actually working against the power steering motor that why it is much harder to turn however it is not impossible.

When you are experiencing this situation at high speed on the freeway for the first time (without knowing there is problem) you will know how frighten that is..

This is a very small assist motor and when not powered it's resistance would barely be noticeable. You are not fighting the motor at all!
I have no doubt that when it happens suddenly it takes you by surprise and seems far worse then it is though.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

True, I know but I've driven the shit out of mine. Tried to find the limit last summer. Couldn't get it to complain no matter how hard I beat on it.

In Australia? in the summer? It just reached it's high temp limit and temporarily cut out.