Shop Power Steering Parts Here:
Power Steering Coolers
Let’s talk about the power steering cooler location. Power steering coolers will usually have very similar placement from one model of vehicle to the next. Considering the size and style of the cooler often comes in to play when engineers are designing vehicles that require a cooler. Most of the time the power steering cooler will be placed at the front of the vehicle directly behind the grill. This is most often called “first air” because it is in front of all other components.
The power steering cooler is designed to draw heat out of the power steering fluid in order to reduce the stress put on power steering components. Power steering fluid has a flash point of an average of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Even more important is the power steering component’s ability to be lubricated. The higher the power steering fluid temperature, the less viscous (thick) the power steering fluid becomes, resulting in decreased lubrication
You’ve got questions on what causes a power steering fluid leak. Power steering fluid leaks can develop in a number of different places and be caused by many different factors in a traditional power steering system. When systems that contain hydro-boost assist or Magnasteer assist are added to the mix, you increase opportunities for developing a power steering fluid leak. Sometimes vehicles will develop strange or difficult to diagnose issues - one of them being a power steering fluid leak when the vehicle is shut off.
Related Articles
The sound of air being pushed through the power steering system is very telling, but there is a larger problem than just the noise. The power steering system is a hydraulic system that requires consistent hydraulic fluid pressure to function correctly, so if there is air the system you may develop stiffer than normal steering, resulting in more effort required to steer the vehicle. However, there can also be instances of more effort required to steering the vehicle or “hard spots” in the steering that are not related to air being trapped in the power steering system.
These “hard spots” in the steering can be indictive of a failure in your steering gear box, rack and pinion, or steering shaft. There are a number of gears inside a rack and pinion that are lubricated and cooled by power steering fluid. If the fluid becomes too hot or develops containments due to not being changed at required intervals, it can cause the gears to wear out and develop missing teeth. This will result in areas of stiff or very loose steering. If you are experiencing any issues with your hard parts and do not have any leaks present in the power steering system, it is crucial that you replace the failing component. In addition to the failing component, it is strongly suggested you perform a power steering fluid flush. If your vehicle is equipped with a power steering cooler, it should also be replaced at that time.
If you’re shopping for an aftermarket power steering cooler, you’ll want to check out coolers manufactured to original OE specifications. If you have any power steering cooler questions, reach out to the technicians in our Ask the Experts forum.
Power Steering Q & A > Signs That... > Signs Your Power Steering is Going Bad.
Signs Your Power Steering is Going Bad
There are a number of different signs that your power steering system is developing issues. Most people have heard a key sound that becomes present when your power steering system has developed an issue, and that is a moaning sound under coming from under the hood when the steering wheel is turned side to side. That noise is the most telling sign of a power steering system that is failing. The reason for the noise is normally due to air being in the system and the hydraulic power steering pump cavitating, causing a mixture of both air and fluid to be pushed through the power steering system.
