I have some problems on and off the autocross course:

1. On course I loose power steering on tight schicanes and slaloms. It seems to give out after the 2nd or 3rd right/left. Anyone know any fixes for this?

2. Rear squeaking: I have installed Koni Yellows, 350f/400r Ground Control coilovers, dropped about 2", stock rear sway bar, Neuspeed rear upper and rear lower strut bars. The sound sounds like it's coming from the passenger rear.

Thanks in advance.
Mike

 

Never had a problem with my power steering, but maybe I'm just not going fast enough (that's probably it).

About the rear squeaks. I have coilovers and a Comptech sway, and since they went on, something squeaks bad on big bumps. I've hit everything that moves under the rear with spray lube, which will usually kill the noise for a while, but haven't found the right spot yet. I just live with it.

 

My squeaks come with anything large or small bumps. I was thinking of hitting everything too with lube. What did you use?

 

Kinda obvious, but is the reservoir full? Repeated sloshing could suck air.

Gary

 

i have same problem with 500lb spring shocks all around. comes from the general area of the endlink of the rear sway bar. im not sure what will cure it either, i live with it just like i live with sqeeky brakes on the street

 

Generally CRC PowerLube. WD-40 when I can't find the CRC.

 

When I got home yesterday I tried pushing down on the rear and no squeaks. It always happens that way.

Thanks for your help guys.

Now what about power steering?

 

I drove an accord at a test drive day and found that the power steering cuts out during extended lateral Gs. The problem is that the steering fluid is shifted to where the pump is unable to use it and thus the power steering cuts out until the car levels out again. I have never seen this happen to a Civic but it makes me think the power steering fluid might be low enough to cause this.

 

My power steering fluid is filled to the brim. The gas tank has baffles now they need it in the power steering

 

I freakin HATE Honda's PS. I ran my Si without PS for a good 6 months and absolutley loved it on track and on the street minus parking lots. Fighting the wheel in the lots made me put it back on last week and Its horrible! Wayyyy too much boost. Give us a freakin break. The new NSX's got their **** together with an electric pump (like the Audis, they have switches in their Champion GT cars,,cool!) it run max boost at low speeds and shuts itself off at highways speeds. New NSX PS=

 

I think the new Si also has an electric PS pump.

 

Surprise surprise, a new NSX has something *cooler* than the older Civic Si.

As for the squeaking, I found that spray white lithium grease worked well on my swaybar bushings. I'm not sure how thick the CRC Powerlube is, but the white lithium spray I used is a fair bit thicker than WD-40. Just keep in mind that
A) it is white
B) it is thicker than WD-40
C) as such, it's visible wherever you spray it, and it's a bit more messy since it tends to foam up a bit

But, it stays around longer and doesn't drip off like WD-40.

 

Riiight. I wasnt trying to compare the two, just pointing out our PS sucks ***.

 

Damn, your right. Just checked out Honda's website. Has EPS (electric power steering) with variable gear ratios. Cool!!

 

Mike,
Ditch the PS and go manual. You can purchase a rack from a 96 dx hatch. Hey, if anyone out there is looking for a complete PS system let me know. I will trade it straight for a manual rack from a 96 dx hatch.

The problem will occur in just about any vehicle you drive today. Exception - electric steering! As soon as you start the vehicle try yanking on the steering wheel back and forth like you would in a slalom. You can do this at low speed in a lot as well.

The pump just cannot keep pace with the work your asking it to do. Most manufacturers call this "pump cavitation". I think its more like the flow of fluid is impeded by the size of hoses and valves and gets choked up when you ask it to work too hard.

Try driving a Camry or Accord at full boogie and you will see my point!

Good luck! The only for sure cure is replacing the power rack with a manual one.

Regards,

 

Well unfortunately I cannot change out my steering rack - that would bump me out my class - which I plan on doing at the end of the year Don't know if anyone would notice a different rack, but I'm have sportsmanship.

Thanks Roger.

 

had the same squeak in my car when going over speed bumps in parking lots. I used that tire spray foam cleaner stuff on the sway bar mounting and links. made it go away, so that may be where the noise is coming from.

try that. not only is the squeak gone, but the underside of my car looks nice and shiney, too.