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Power Steering Coolers
You may be asking yourself, “is it okay to bypass a power steering cooler?” Let’s hear what our experts have to say. If your vehicle comes equipped with a power steering cooler, it should not be bypassed. There are reasons why the OE car company added this important part to your vehicle. The cooler is designed to prevent the power steering fluid from overheating and damaging power steering components. Not all vehicles are equipped with a power steering cooler. So, if your vehicle has one, it is because the engineers designing the vehicle deemed it was a necessary component for the operation of the vehicle. Unless you want to risk a $1,000+ repair of your steering system, the power steering cooler should never be by passed.
There are a number of different signs you need to change the power steering fluid in your vehicle. Just like any fluid in your vehicle, the power steering fluid has a lifespan. With all vehicle fluid lifespans, you should always start by checking for OEM recommendations. These recommendations can often be found in the vehicle's owner's manual.
Knowing when it’s time to change your power steering fluid is key to maintaining both performance and reducing the likelihood of a premature part failure. Like all fluids in your vehicle, power steering fluid has a life span. OEM’s will often not indicate the power steering fluid’s lifespan. This is in order to reduce the cost of ownership; however, often times the OEM will only warranty power steering system parts for very limited time and mileage. So, in order to maximize the life of your power steering components, it is recommended to change power steering fluid based on a couple of different factors.
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1. A previously failed power steering component that failed internally causing metal pieces to contaminate the power steering system, resulting in blockage in the system, reducing the flow of the power steering fluid.
2. Using the wrong power steering fluid for your vehicle. Every vehicle is designed for a specific power steering fluid. Using the wrong fluid can cause damage to the system and premature failure of the power steering components.
3. Excessive heat or cold. Power steering fluid is used as both a lubricant and a coolant for the power steering system. If the fluid gets too cold, it will become much thicker, and the pump will struggle to push the fluid through the system, resulting in lack of lubrication. If the fluid becomes too hot, it will not cool the system properly resulting in overheated metal that may
bend or become distorted, which will cause the power steering system to not function as designed.
4. Oversized wheels and tires. This is an often-overlooked issue. While those upgraded tires and wheels may look great on your vehicle, if they weigh more than the original equipment tires and wheels did, you are putting added stress on your power steering system.
We hope this list of the top four causes of power steering system damage give you some insight on why your power steering system may be damaged. To learn how to fix your power steering system, check out our other articles. You also have the option to post a question in our in our Ask the Experts section. One of our power steering experts can help.
Power Steering Q & A > Signs That... > The Top 4 Causes of Power Steering System Damage
The Top 4 Causes of Power Steering System Damage
The top four causes of power steering system damage are listed below. Power steering system damage is not limited to these specific things, but they happen to be the most common causes of power steering issues. If you notice any inconsistencies with your power steering system, reviewing this list could help determine what may be causing your problem.
