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Power Steering Coolers
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.
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 want to know why a power steering cooler is important – we hear you. Let’s start with some background info on the purpose of a power steering cooler. Power steering systems generate heat through friction produced in both the power steering pump and either the steering gear or rack and pinion unit. In addition to the heat generated through the power steering system, heat is also generated due to its close proximity to the vehicles engine, which will operate at a much higher temperature than a power steering system. Keeping the temperature of the power steering fluid within specifications is crucial to maintaining proper power steering system function.
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The average power steering cooler retail price is probably somewhere around $150. However, there are a number of different sizes for power steering coolers, so some will cost much more and others will cost much less. Taking into account the cost of the part when trying to determine overall cost is important, but other things to consider are: Is there any diagnostic charge? Are you having any other components replaced at the same time? Are you performing a power steering fluid flush? All of these could add extra cost to the replacement of the power steering cooler.
So, what is the overall average expense of a power steering cooler replacement? Considering the current national average flat rate charge and the average cooler price, it should be somewhere around $300. It could also be as low as $150 or over $500. It is important to remember that when replacing a power steering cooler performing a power steering flush and potentially changing out any other failing or old parts is important and should always be considered.
Now that you have a better understanding of how much replacing your power steering cooler should cost, you can decide on the best replacement part for you. If you have any additional power steering cooler questions, reach out to the technicians in our Ask the Experts forum.
Power Steering Q & A > How Much? > What is the Price Range to Replace a Power Steering Cooler?
What Is the Price Range to Replace a Power Steering Cooler
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.
