What is the problem with severe overheating of power steering fluid?

[VanAthena]

Overheating of the oil pipe is caused by excessive load. Below is relevant information about the steering gear: 1. Introduction: The automotive steering gear, also known as the steering mechanism or power steering, is the most critical component in the car's steering system. Its function is to amplify the force transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering linkage and change the direction of force transmission. 2. Types of Steering Gears: (1) Rack and Pinion Steering: This is the most common type of steering gear. Its basic structure consists of a pair of meshing pinion and rack. When the steering shaft rotates the pinion, the rack moves linearly. Sometimes, the rack directly drives the tie rod, enabling the steering wheels to turn. Therefore, this is the simplest type of steering gear. Its advantages include simple structure, low cost, sensitive steering, compact size, and direct driving of the tie rod. It is widely used in automobiles. (2) Worm and Sector Steering: This type uses a worm as the driving part and a sector gear as the driven part. The worm has trapezoidal threads, and a finger-like tapered pin is supported by bearings on the sector gear, which is integrated with the steering arm shaft. When steering, the worm is rotated via the steering wheel, and the tapered pin embedded in the worm's helical groove rotates on its own while moving in an arc around the steering arm shaft, thereby driving the sector gear and steering arm to swing and turn the steering wheels through the steering linkage. This type is typically used in heavy-duty trucks requiring greater steering force. (3) Recirculating Ball Steering: The recirculating ball power steering system mainly consists of two parts: mechanical and hydraulic. The mechanical part includes the housing, side cover, upper cover, lower cover, recirculating ball screw, rack nut, rotary valve spool, and sector shaft. There are two pairs of transmission components: one is the screw and nut, and the other is the rack and sector gear or sector shaft. Recirculating steel balls are placed between the screw and rack nut, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, thereby improving transmission efficiency. The advantages of this steering gear are easy operation, minimal wear, and long service life. The disadvantages are complex structure, higher cost, and less sensitive steering compared to rack and pinion steering.

[Serenity]

During a long-distance drive, I noticed the power steering fluid was alarmingly hot. Later, I consulted an experienced mechanic and learned there are several common issues behind this. The most frequent cause is excessive load on the steering system—if you force the steering wheel when it's stuck or often turn it to full lock when parking, the hydraulic pump works overtime, causing the fluid temperature to skyrocket. Low fluid levels are also dangerous; I once had a leak in the oil line that dropped the level, leading to friction and overheating in the steering gear. If the cooling system is ineffective, especially in older cars where the radiator fins are clogged with sludge, heat can't dissipate, and the fluid temperature can exceed 100°C. Lastly, using cheap, incompatible low-viscosity fluid reduces lubrication efficiency, naturally causing faster temperature rise. If you encounter this, stop and check immediately—replacing a burnt-out steering pump can be very costly.

[Ann]

Last time when I was driving through sharp turns on mountain roads, I noticed the steering wheel became heavier. After getting out of the car, I touched the oil reservoir and found it extremely hot. The mechanic at the repair shop said this is a typical case of hydraulic system overheating, and mainly involves three aspects: First, when the fluid ages and deteriorates, its flowability decreases, much like grease clogging a pipe, which forces the pump to work under increased pressure. Second, internal wear in the steering gear leads to excessive clearance between parts, causing the fluid to be repeatedly compressed and generating a lot of heat. Third, a faulty power steering pump, whether due to bearing damage or vane wear, can cause the pump to idle and overheat. He suggested checking the fluid color first during inspection—if it appears black and has a burnt smell, it must be replaced immediately. Also, pay attention to modification issues, as many people install incompatible controllers on the power steering fluid lines, which can obstruct the smooth flow of the fluid.

[BrookeDella]

I've been driving construction vehicles for over 20 years, and steering fluid overheating is all too common. The worst fear is the steering wheel suddenly locking up due to excessive oil temperature, so I always check the reservoir level before each trip. When system pressure exceeds 20 bar, overheating is likely, usually caused by loose power steering pump intake pipes sucking in air, creating bubbles that reduce hydraulic efficiency. Another pitfall is fluid expansion after summer sun exposure; if overfilled, it can spill onto hot components and cause spontaneous combustion. Steering system leaks are also a major culprit—I've seen aging seals weep oil, resulting in insufficient fluid that causes the hydraulic pump to grind dry. Don't underestimate these details—high temperatures can make rubber hoses brittle and crack.