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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One common question we get is how to tell if your power steering pump is bad or if it’s your rack and pinion. It can be tricky to tell whether it’s your power steering pump or if it’s your rack and pinion assembly. But, if you pay attention to the symptoms closely, it can be done. You’ll want to read our article on how to tell if your power steering pump is bad or if it’s the rack and pinion for more information.


If your power steering cooler is bad, a replacement is in your future. First, you should check out the best power steering coolers to find the replacement part for your vehicle. Then, you’re going to need to know how to change a power steering cooler. A power steering cooler install begins with identifying the power steering cooler location, which is normally in the front of the air conditioning condenser and radiator. We think that replacing your power steering cooler is a simple job that can be done by most do it yourselfers. To learn more about a power steering cooler install, check out the article how to change a power steering cooler from our experts.

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If you’re asking if your power steering cooler is bad, you’ve come to the right place. Our experts have pulled together a great collection of information. Whether you need to know more about failing power steering coolers or how to install a power steering cooler, we have the info you need.


You may want to start with our article that offers a list of things that can help you determine if your power steering cooler is bad. An early sign of a failing power steering cooler is rust. But, we also think that inspecting for fluid leaks from your power steering cooler is an important first step. Another early sign of a power steering failure or leak will be a noise coming from under the hood. And, you can’t rule out another common failure point for a power steering cooler, which is blockage. To learn more, check out this article on how to know if your power steering is bad.

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