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Power Steering Coolers
How necessary is a power steering cooler? Well, if the vehicle came equipped with one from the manufacturer, they deemed it was necessary in order to maintain proper power steering fluid temperature. Power steering fluid has an operating temperature that is required to be maintained in order for power steering systems to operate as designed. If the fluid exceeds the intended operating temperature pre-mature failure and inconsistent power steering assist.
If a vehicle comes equipped from the manufacturer with a power steering cooler it is a necessary component. The cooler helps lower the temperature of the power steering fluid after it leaves the power steering gear box, or rack and pinion unit. The friction generated in the steering unit can generate enough heat to cause the steering fluid to rise above its operating temperature. This causes the fluid to become less viscous and diminish its ability to properly lubricate and cool the system. Power steering fluid that is above operating temperature can cause excess steering effort than the driver is used to, and become potentially dangerous. In addition to the fluid becoming too hot, the result can be the power steering pump and steering mechanism becoming overheated resulting in premature failure. Not all vehicles come from the manufacturer with a power steering cooler installed. The reason for this, is that during vehicle design testing it was determined a power steering cooler was not necessary. Only vehicles that run the risk of developing overheating power steering fluid come with a power steering fluid cooler from the manufacturer.
You’re wondering how to tell if your power steering pump is bad of if it’s your pack and pinion. We’ve been there. Determining whether your power steering pump or rack and pinion assembly are bad can seem like a difficult task, but if you pay attention to the symptoms closely it can be done rather easily. Power steering pumps and rack and pinion assemblies serve two completely different purposes but are both part of the same system. You can use the symptoms and some simple tests to determine which unit – a bad power steering cooler or a bag rack and pinion - may be bad and causing your issues.
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Power steering cooler replacement cost will vary depending on a few key factors for your vehicle. We think these five things should be considered when looking at power steering replacement costs. First, consider the make and model of your vehicle and what type of part you want to replace it with. In addition to those few items, the decision to allow a professional to perform the job or try to take it on yourself will affect the total cost.
Should you replace your own power steering cooler, or should you have a professional mechanic perform the job? Power steering cooler replacement cost is often not very much, but the job to replace the cooler itself is not extremely difficult either. For the most part, if you have any mechanical knowledge at all, it should be a job you can handle.
Cost to replace any component on your vehicle can vary greatly on a number of different factors. Trying to judge what the cost of replacing your power steering cooler will be is going to be determined by the cost of the part, and how much labor is involved in having it replaced. Most power steering coolers are relatively easy to replace; however, determining the labor will be based on what the shop charges per flat rate hour and the number of hours the book says are required to change the cooler.
Power Steering Q & A > How Much?
The expense of power steering cooler replacement varies greatly on a number of different factors. Trying to determine what the cost of replacing your power steering cooler will be is going to be determined by the cost of the part and how much labor is involved in having it replaced (unless you plan on DIYing your power steering cooler replacement). Learn about the average cost of power steering coolers and other expenses that could be part of the work in our article on how much replacing your power steering cooler should cost.
We like to consider ourselves the experts when it comes to power steering coolers. If you have any power steering cooler questions, please connect with our technicians in our Ask the Experts forum.
If you want to know how much it is to replace a power steering cooler, we’ve got some good information for you. The cost of replacing a power steering cooler comes down to a couple of things. First, consider if you should replace your own power steering cooler or if you should have a professional mechanic perform the job. The work to replace the cooler itself is not extremely difficult if you have any mechanical knowledge, but there are certainly a couple things you should keep in mind if you are considering changing out your own power steering cooler. Get all of the details in our article on if you should DIY when replacing your power steering cooler or if you should let a mechanic do the work.
