Shop Power Steering Parts Here:
Power Steering Coolers
Trapped air in a power steering system is a very common issue. The symptoms are normally very obvious, and most people who have a driven a vehicle with a traditional hydraulic power steering system have experienced the moan or whine that indicates the air being pushed through the system by the power steering pump. This noise will often be overlooked initially because it will not contain any other issues other than just a noise coming from the engine compartment. But left alone and not repaired, eventually this air will cause further damage to the power steering system.
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.
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.
Suggested Articles
There are many different types of fluids in vehicles today. The average vehicle contains a minimum of 6 different fluid types. If you want to know why your power steering fluid is leaking, it’s important to know that power steering fluid leaks can develop for a number of reasons. If you are wondering why power steering fluid leaks are happening on your vehicle, you should consider things like age, mileage, type of driving, or the climate you drive in.
You want to know why a power steering cooler is important – we hear you. Let’s start with some background info on the purpose of a power steering cooler. Power steering systems generate heat through friction produced in both the power steering pump and either the steering gear or rack and pinion unit. In addition to the heat generated through the power steering system, heat is also generated due to its close proximity to the vehicles engine, which will operate at a much higher temperature than a power steering system. Keeping the temperature of the power steering fluid within specifications is crucial to maintaining proper power steering system function.
Power Steering Q & A > Why Is?
We have the best information to consider when you’re asking why your power steering fluid is leaking, too. Power steering fluid leaks can develop for a number of reasons. If you are wondering why power steering fluid leaks are happening on your vehicle, you should consider things like age, mileage, type of driving, or the climate you drive in. One thing to know is that the inside of an engine compartment where the power steering system operates is a hot, dry, and dirty area constantly exposed to the elements. To learn more, check out this article on what causes power steering fluid leaks.
If you have any questions about power steering coolers, our technicians can help. Check out our Ask the Experts forum to learn more.
Our experts are here to explain why a power steering cooler is important. The main purpose of a power steering cooler is to reduce the temperature of the power steering fluid by transferring heat from the fluid to the fins on the cooler by way of convection. You can imagine that this heat reduction is crucial to maintaining proper temperature. When power steering fluid exceeds its operating temperature, it no longer performs its intended purpose of lubricating and cooling the mechanical parts of the power steering system. And, when the mechanical parts fail to have proper lubrication and heat reduction, they will ultimately fail. You can see how keeping the temperature of the power steering fluid within specifications is crucial to maintaining proper power steering system function. To learn more on why power steering coolers are important, check out this article from our team.
