How to Tell If a Power Steering Pump Is Bad: 5 Warning Signs You Need to Know About

Typically, when a power steering pump starts to go bad, you will have some early signs that you can catch prior to complete failure of the pump. If you pay attention to these five symptoms, you should be able to avoid a total loss of power steering assist. But, if you ignore the warning signs, you may end up with no power steering, which will make controlling the vehicle difficult, especially at lower speeds. These are the top five symptoms of a failing power steering pump.

How to Install a Power Steering Cooler? *Let’s talk a little about tools that will be necessary.

Most power steering coolers will require very few tools to replace. Most will need a drain pan to catch the fluid leaking out when the hoses are disconnected, along with some rags to clean up any fluid that gets spilled outside of the drain pan. It’s important when disconnecting the hoses that the vehicle engine is off, otherwise the power steering pump will push all of the fluid out at a rapid pace and you will make quite the mess.

How To Tell If the Power Steering Pump or Rack & Pinion Is Bad.

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.

How Do You Change a Power Steering Cooler?

We get asked all of the time how to change a power steering cooler. First, you have to know the power steering cooler location. A power steering fluid cooler’s location is normally in front of the air conditioning condenser and radiator. This position makes the component very easy to find. Following the power steering lines from the rack and pinion or steering gear to the cooler’s location is another way of locating the cooler, if it is not obvious. It is often beneficial to perform power steering cooler line replacement while also replacing your power steering cooler, so make sure you inspect the lines or hoses running to your power steering cooler thoroughly. The lines should be free of damage, rust, and leaks.

How Do You Know If Your Power Steering Cooler Is Bad?

You may be wondering how to know if your power steering cooler is bad. A failing power steering cooler can develop in several different ways. Traditionally power steering coolers are in the front of both the air conditioning condenser and the radiator. This placement is often referred to as “first air”. The reason for the placement is that the cooler is often much smaller than any other cooling elements. Therefore, it does not block a lot of air running through other components. This front placement - while beneficial to the cooling purpose - can be detrimental to the longevity of the cooler.