Okay, so I have an issue with my Subaru.

During the last autocross I had to use full lock quite a bit. When I turn the wheel back to center there is a moment of increased steering effort needed. It does not happen as I turn in, only as I turn back the other direction, and it only seems to happen after I've reached full lock.

Things to consider:
assume a functional power steering pump
strut suspension
the car is loaded to about .9 to 1 G in these turns
some ammount of front toe out, but I don't know how much
some ammount of negative camber, around -2 to -3 degrees
unknown caster

I know this may not appear to relate to the S2000, but I think the underlying concepts of front end alignment and it's effects on steering do relate.

 

When was the last time you changed the power steering fluid?

 

It's a 99 and I got it used, probably 5th or 6th hand. I have no idea when the fluid was changed.

The effort only increases momentarily on the way back to center. It feels as if I'm fighting the car, which I probably am, but I want to know why.

 

I could be wrong but I don't think we have power steering fluid

how is your battery? one time at the track my alternator fuse went so my battery was draining and the steering got heavier and heavier

 

It is an issue with his Subaru.

I would not think that it is alignment related. Either something is binding momentarily or power steering is dropping out for a second. It kind of sounds like air in the system or something. I would consider changing the fluid and bleeding the system.

Does it still happen even after the car has sat and cooled off? A lot of lock to lock steering can definitely heat up the fluid. If any moisture was in the fluid then it could very well have created a small air bubble.

 

Man, I didn't see that either. I really thought this was going to be an entertaining thread.

 

The reason I ask is because I had an 04 STi that had issues with steering after multiple auto-x runs. It turns out that the power steering fluid was old and started to over heat (I don't think it was to a point of boiling). It's real easy to change out the steering fluid, so it's worth a shot.

 

All the systems I have worked with require ATF and not actual power steering fluid. I bought power steering fluid for my 240sx not knowing that and it was way thicker than ATF. My steering was night and day better when I realized that ATF was required and I switched.

@Rob:

haha yea those threads are pretty popular based on a google search...