Power Steering Cooling

Just like engine oil and transmission fluid, with hard use power steering fluid can reach temperatures that can severely degrade the lifespan of the fluid and degrade the lifespan and function of power steering system components. If a power steering cooler is included in the power steering system, the cooler will conduct heat from the fluid to the surrounding air, thereby keeping the fluid temperature within its intended operating range and preserving the fluid and power steering system components. Vehicle manufacturers conduct extensive testing to see how vehicle systems perform when vehicles are used for their intended purpose and expected lifespan, and the need for a power steering cooler is not indicated for all vehicles.

Coolers are commonly standard equipment on trucks and SUVs, because their large heavy wheels and tires and typical uses like towing and off-roading put extra strain on the power steering system. Their configuration can range from nothing more than a loop of tubing, to tube-and-fin style coolers where cooling fins are attached to the tubes, to radiator-like plate-and-fin and stacked plate coolers. Power steering coolers are typically attached to the radiator support where they are exposed to the airstream flowing through the grille. Heat from the fluid is transferred to the air. The attached fins make tube-and-fin coolers more efficient at transferring heat than plain tubular coolers, and plate-and-fin and stacked plate coolers are even more efficient, but unless you’re using your vehicle for other than its intended purpose and have need of additional cooling, it’s usually best to stay with the OE design.

Power steering coolers can suffer the same kinds of defects as other types of heat exchangers. They can leak due to an impact from debris or from exterior corrosion if they become weathered and are continually exposed to substances like road salts. Even if the tubing isn’t pierced, impacts can also damage the cooler fins and reduce cooling efficiency. Perform a visual inspection of the cooler and lines and check for fluid on the ground under the vehicle. If fluid must be added to the reservoir frequently that’s an indicator of a leak somewhere in the system. Power steering coolers can also fail internally if they become clogged. This could be caused by a failure to flush the system and change the fluid when specified by the manufacturer or when a system component like a pump or steering gear was replaced.

No matter what your repair or upgrade needs are or what you’re working on, we have the power steering cooler to ensure safe, predictable, and easy power steering system operation without leaks. Here you will find power steering coolers that are manufactured to original equipment specifications. We also have brackets, lines, and line clamps, which are often needed to affect a complete and thorough repair or an upgrade.