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Power Steering Coolers
How necessary is a power steering cooler? Well, if the vehicle came equipped with one from the manufacturer, they deemed it was necessary in order to maintain proper power steering fluid temperature. Power steering fluid has an operating temperature that is required to be maintained in order for power steering systems to operate as designed. If the fluid exceeds the intended operating temperature pre-mature failure and inconsistent power steering assist.
If a vehicle comes equipped from the manufacturer with a power steering cooler it is a necessary component. The cooler helps lower the temperature of the power steering fluid after it leaves the power steering gear box, or rack and pinion unit. The friction generated in the steering unit can generate enough heat to cause the steering fluid to rise above its operating temperature. This causes the fluid to become less viscous and diminish its ability to properly lubricate and cool the system. Power steering fluid that is above operating temperature can cause excess steering effort than the driver is used to, and become potentially dangerous. In addition to the fluid becoming too hot, the result can be the power steering pump and steering mechanism becoming overheated resulting in premature failure. Not all vehicles come from the manufacturer with a power steering cooler installed. The reason for this, is that during vehicle design testing it was determined a power steering cooler was not necessary. Only vehicles that run the risk of developing overheating power steering fluid come with a power steering fluid cooler from the manufacturer.
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.
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Power steering coolers utilize conduction, cooling to pull heat away from the power steering fluid. Conduction cooling is performed by allowing the fluid to flow through tubes or veins that are connected to steel or aluminum fins. 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.
While power steering fluid is primarily used as a lubricant it also serves a purpose as a heat reducer. A traditional power steering system features many small moving metal components, and those components generate friction when in motion. The viscosity or thickness of the power steering fluid changes based on the temperature. Power steering fluid that is hot has less viscosity than power steering fluid that is cold. Therefore, if the power steering fluid becomes too hot and the fluid becomes too thin, it loses its ability to properly lubricate the moving components of a power steering system. If the power steering components are not properly lubricated internal failure can result.
Now that you know what power steering coolers do, you can decide on the best replacement part for you. Should you have any other power steering cooler questions, reach out to the technicians in our Ask the Experts forum.
Power Steering Q & A > What Is? > What Does a Power Steering Cooler Do?
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. 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
