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The best power steering coolers are simply ones that function the way the OEM designed them to. We often see customers with universal coolers on vehicles that came from the manufacturer with a power steering cooler installed already. You may think they all serve the same purpose and there is no difference from one to the next, but power steering coolers serve a very specific purpose and are engineered to perform a job for a specific vehicle. For this reason, you cannot take your power steering cooler off your minivan and put it on your truck and expect it to work properly.
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
Most of the vehicles being manufactured today come with electronic power steering. Some models may offer it as an add on feature but will still come stock with traditional hydraulic power steering. You’re probably wondering what happens if your electric power steering fails. Diagnosing issues with electronic steering is completely different from diagnosing issues in traditional hydraulic power steering systems. Instead of searching for leaks you will often be looking for wiring issues, or communication problems.
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.
Power Steering Q & A > What Is?
One common question we get concerns 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. Usually power steering leaks will be present when the vehicle is running. The reason for that is because the system is under pressure while the engine is on. 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. A power steering system that leaks fluid while the engine is off can be difficult to diagnose because the pressure is not as severe, resulting in a leak that is not always obvious. Whether your power steering fluid is leaking when the engine is on or off, you’ll want to hear all of the details in this article on the causes of a power steering fluid leak.
We also have information on power steering failure and tips on diagnosing power steering problems. It's common for today’s vehicles to come with electronic power steering. Some models may offer it as an add on feature but will still come stock with traditional hydraulic power steering. But, what if your electric power steering fails? Diagnosing issues with electronic steering is completely different from diagnosing issues in traditional hydraulic power steering systems. Instead of searching for leaks, you will often be looking for wiring issues or communication problems. Even with today's modern systems, failure can still happen. You’ll want to know more, so take a look at this article on what happens if your power steering system fails.
Whatever questions you have concerning power steering, we’re here to help. Post a question in our Ask the Experts forum to hear from our technicians. We are your resource or the best information on power steering.
Let’s start at the beginning. What does a power steering cooler do? 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. The fins in the power steering coolers pull heat away from the fluid as it passes them, and the fins are then cooled by the ambient air outside of the system. Traditionally power steering fluid coolers are placed at the front vehicle, in front of the radiator and AC condenser. This position is referred to as first air, meaning the component gets the air passed over it first prior to it reaching any other cooling components in the vehicle. There is certainly more to know about what power steering coolers do. Find out more in this article on what power steering coolers do and how they function.
