Nissan Power Steering Cavitating. NEED HELP

[ecaff]

Hello:

I've just joined, and am concerned about my cousin's Xterra. I was just told in an automotive safety class that the power steering system in the Xterra is less than sufficient.

If, at speeds above 30, you have to make an emergency manuver, and have to make a sharp turn, I've been told that the power steering system will cavitate, and you will lose power steering. Is this true? Its very important to me to find information, but all my searches are turning up null. Can anyone here help me out?

Thanks,
Erick
[email protected]

[OffroadX]

News to me. Actually, the thought of a "sharp turn" in an SUV above 30 MPH brings to mind concerns of roll-over. You'd be hard-pressed pull that off in a sports car...

Brent

[Toy Man]

Sounds like an myth to me.

Ask the person (instructor?) for proof.

Dick

[hobbes69]

I've never heared of a power steering pump cavitating, does the instruction actually know what cavitating is?

(Disclaimer: This is from an engineering class I had many years ago so may not be perfectly accurate.)

When the NPSH or Net Positive Suction Head is to great for a particular situation (Liquid, temperature, pressure combination) then bubbles are created (by boiling a liquid like water at reduced temperature because of the lower pressure). Then they go through the pump rotor and as they travel across rotor the pressure goes up rapidly (which is the purpose of a pump) and the bubbles collaps violently and pit the rotor surface which reduces efficientcy of the pump and eventually causes failure.

I'm not saying its impossible, but it just doesn't sound like the situation you would have in a power steering system.

Richard