DESCRIPTION
The Chase Bays Power Steering Kit for Subaru WRX / STi is designed to eliminate the common factory power steering leaks, fluid spillover, and overheating issues with improved aesthetics, durability, and stealthy design. It is a full 100% upgraded A.N. Hose and Fitting replacement of the stock reservoir and hoses. From the reservoir to pump to rack (and cooler if upgraded). ALL Hose and Hose Ends are BMRS aka Brown and Miller Racing. This is the best Hose/Hose Ends in the world, the same components seen on NASCAR and Indy Car. All the Fitting Adapters are designed and manufactured by Chase Bays to be chassis specific for perfect leak free installs.
Our over-engineered Ultra Baffled Power Steering Reservoir (aeration and spillover proof) is at the core of this kit. Chase Bays only uses the highest quality components available. Our reservoir is constructed of 6061 aluminum and is anodized black with a laser etched cap. The reservoir itself uses our own bracket design to bolt in just like the factory Subaru.
Ultra Baffled Power Steering Reservoir
Countless hours of research and development were put into our newest Sextuple Baffled Power Steering Reservoir, formerly known as the Triple Baffled Power Steering Reservoir. This isn’t as simple as putting 2 fittings on a fluid container and calling it a day. It is far more complex. The smaller fitting on the Reservoir is the fluid return from the rack. It can be sent back at pressures up to 120psi. When that hits the fluid in the reservoir it can cause extreme foaming aeration if not properly slowed down and directed. The more the steering and RPM on the car, the higher the pressures will be. This is also what commonly causes the spillover through the cap under heavy use. Most people think their fluid is boiling over when this happens but in most cases it is not…just turbulence.
We have put serious engineering time into the internal design to negate this aeration and spillover entirely. The performance of this Power Steering Reservoir has gotten rave reviews from our customers. Starting at the entry point, the fluid hits our propriety inlet fitting which has a restricted diameter to help slow fluid velocity before ever even entering the Power Steering Reservoir. Next, is as a multi-layer internal chimney that the fluid has to pass through in offset passageways that further slows down the intense flow. Between on track testing and computer fluid dynamics, we were able to slow down 120psi to 12psi in 2 inches of fluid motion. However, this is where our previous version stopped as far as internal baffling.
In the reservoir photos you can see a flat plate inside - that is one of the 2 additional baffles inside the Reservoir to help eliminate 2 more issues within the Power Steering Reservoir. During excessive lateral grip scenarios, often seen in road racing and drifting at professional levels, the fluid inside the Reservoir can see more than 1.5-2.0g's of force. The fluid would slosh up the sides of the Reservoir, and sometimes escape through the vented cap (more on that below). The horizontal plate is in place and completely prevents that, as well as act as an easily visible fill point. The last baffle goes along with lateral forces, but has more to do with eliminating aeration reaching the pump. Above we mention that the fluid exits the internal chimney baffles - in some cases on very high pressure systems such as GM LS's with upgraded output pumps or BMW S54's, the fluid can be aerated more than normal upon passing through the chimney, so there is a vertical wall between the inlet and outlet ports internally that prevents that aerated fluid from immediately traveling to the pump feed port. All of this leads to a truly bulletproof design that is capable of handling any hydraulic power steering system we have thrown it at.
Power Steering is a loop hydraulic system so it needs to be vented. The cap has a unique baffle design to block fluid from pushing out the vent. Go to any road race/drift/rally event and look at all the factory (and most aftermarket) power steering reservoirs. By the end of the day there is spillover all around the reservoir. It was our goal to be the 1 in 100 reservoirs to have no spillover. We are proud to say; that goal has been met.
COLD FILL POINT: Halfway filled up on reservoir.
Hoses and Adapters
The high-pressure rack to pump hose is -6AN stainless steel, Teflon PTFE lined, and black PVC coated. This coating is crucial, it makes the hose resistant to chaffing if it routes against metal or a fellow hose. The -6AN rack to reservoir and -10AN reservoir to pump hoses are abrasion resistant, black nylon sheathed, and SS reinforced. They are all completed with high end black aluminum AN fittings.
We now utilize all AN connections as of early 2022, including the previously clamped on Pump Feed Line to the pump's inlet. This connection now uses our Pump Feed Adapter, which replaces the stock barb fitting with our own o-ring sealing adapter and bracket. This adapter can swivel to be clocked as needed for your application.
Optional Chase Bays Cooler
Our optional inline heatsink cooler is all aluminum in construction. It is black anodized for a durable and stealthy finish. Very compact but very effective. We’ve seen 20º degree F drops in temperature from this cooler. If you have a track car, get the cooler. They need the additional volume and cooling power.
NOTE:
• We provide proper inner o-ring seal rack fittings. We doubled the o-ring size for more reliable seal. Hex will NOT bottom out when you install, seal happens on bottom of fitting. Don't over-tighten!
This kit fits Left Hand Drive Only, we have a Right Hand Drive kit HERE