Track Day - PAS failure

[DSee]

OK, so... during my first track day at Snetterton the car was pretty standard just stripped out.

I start warming up the car and taking it steady. Then after a few laps I started to push the car more..... at this point I break hard & turn into the corner & my steering is really stiff, so I'm understeering like crazy. I slow down & take it steady, then next turn... BANG. My power steering goes & the fluid pisses everywhere. DAY over 20 minutes in.

Since then I've replaced the PAS pump which siezed up, the alternator which was dead, the pretensioner that was resting on the belt & the belt.

I'm just worried if I've done enough to get me through a track day??? Any advice???

Going to replace the following in the next few weeks:
brake pads & discs
brake fluid
tyres

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Short Norman]

I think the PAS failing is unlucky, was it making any noises before the tracj day.

In prep for a track day I usually make sure the pads/discs have plenty of life in them and ensure the engine oil is fairly fresh. The only other thing I do is make sure the brake fluid is decent and has had a recent change, if not I get it changed with a higher performing fluid.

As for tyres unless it's going to be raining I wouldn't buy a brand new set of road tyres just for the track day. That is unless you have ditch finders on. Oh and keep an eye on your tyre pressures through the day. It amazing how much they go up once you have some heat in them.

 

[JamesBryan]

My pump went on track last year too. Near impossible to steer when it goes.

It is quite common on these to suffer PAS failures with track use, fluid usually boils.

 

[bozothenutter]

could mount the Mountune PAS cooler for the Fiesta ST.

 

[DSee]

@Short Legs Nice one mate, thanks for the tips! I wasn't driving it before the track day hardly. So I couldn't tell. So.. sorry question, say I set my tyre pressure to the required amount and it rises on the track, should I release some air when I stop or just wait?

 

[DSee]

My pump went on track last year too. Near impossible to steer when it goes.

It is quite common on these to suffer PAS failures with track use, fluid usually boils.

Absolutely, and also I had a loud bang. I reckon also my pretensioner was resting on the belt.

 

[Greeny.]

Was this on Tuesday?

 

[JamesBryan]

Absolutely, and also I had a loud bang. I reckon also my pretensioner was resting on the belt.

I just heard a pop noise earlier in the lap and didn't think anything of it, then it started going heavy-normal-heavy so i came in and saw that it had blew the seal out behind the pulley.

RE tyres, when you come in from a session check the pressures before you go back out. Set them a bit lower than what you want them to be at operating temperature, as the pressure you set in the paddock will rise on track.

 

[Short Norman]

@Short Legs Nice one mate, thanks for the tips! I wasn't driving it before the track day hardly. So I couldn't tell. So.. sorry question, say I set my tyre pressure to the required amount and it rises on the track, should I release some air when I stop or just wait?

what I do (and I'm no track day expert) is arrive at track, drop pressure anywhere from 5-10 psi below normal road pressures. Go out on track for a stint, usually 15-20 minutes. Come back in and check what they have risen to while they are still warm.

I did an evening session last month and forgot the let some out before going on track and when I came in I checked them and they were at 40psi. I think I dropped them down to about 30psi while still hot. To be fair 30 is probably still high.

I'm sure someone will be along to tell you the ideal pressure but I think its all a bit trial and error and driver/car specific.

Just get on track, take to easy to start with and enjoy it.

 

[JB21]

What you've now done and plan to do is enough. Enjoy!

 

[Short Norman]

@DSee how much was it to have a new pump fitted?

 

[JamesBryan]

@DSee how much was it to have a new pump fitted?

Mine was £400 ish at a specialist for a brand new pump, pulley and aux belt kit inc labour.

 

[JB21]

EPAS is a good option if you prefer reliability over feel.

 

[DSee]

Mine was £400 ish at a specialist for a brand new pump, pulley and aux belt kit inc labour.

Pump was about £100, then I fit it all myself, took about 3-4 hours. this includes belt, alternator & tensioner also.

 

[DSee]

Was this on Tuesday?

No mate, was last year in the summer.

 

[car.crash]

I had the same thing happen to me at snetterton.

 

[JamesBryan]

Pump was about £100, then I fit it all myself, took about 3-4 hours. this includes belt, alternator & tensioner also.

That a brand new pump or 2nd hand? New ones were close to £200 new on their own, although i think they're NLA.

 

[DSee]

That a brand new pump or 2nd hand? New ones were close to £200 new on their own, although i think they're NLA.

Maybe it was a bit more, but no more than £150. Brand new yeah.

 

[JamesBryan]

Maybe it was a bit more, but no more than £150. Brand new yeah.

Ahh right, maybe i've got my price breakdown wrong.

Still a few £££ to get it done by someone though.