Power Steering Cooler?

[seraphic06]

I've picked a small transmission cooler for free and I am wondering whether I could use it for the power steering instead? Would there be any benefit in running a cooler for the power steering fluid or is it a waste of time?

[SIG-054]

Just put it on. ive got one, its amazing how hot the power steering fluid gets.

[immortality]

some have a simple PS cooler fitted. factory cooler is simply a steel line that runs in front of the radiator.

definitly fit it. i have one on mine. especially important if you like to do the odd bit of racing and maintain consistent high RPM. have heard of the factory plastic reservoir deforming from excessive heat

[Chris E]

Can't see the harm in fitting one, My power steering reservoir used to overflow after a serious flogging because it got so warm.

[savage1987]

+1, just fit it. One day I'll move the fuse box on the VN V6 so I can fit one nice and tidy on the strut tower there, nice and close to the PS return line

[azzfox]

Might be a good time to express my ponderings. Ive got an auto radiator so the trans cooler is currently doing nothing. Worth routing the power steering return line through it? It sounded like a good idea at first, but what gets hotter? Coolant or power steering fluid?

[seraphic06]

Thanks for the responses chaps.

[hako]

Unless you tow a caravan there is no need. Dana, the people who manufacture power steering systems say: "Power steering oil coolers are commonly found on higher performance or specialty vehicles, vehicles with increased trailer towing capacity, large car platforms, SUV’s and Trucks.
The oil only gets hot when the steering is under stress - reverseing a caravan, carpark valet services, circle work etc. Personal choice I suppose.

[VN_chris]

i need one of these, the vn v6 looses way to much power steering fluid during a flogging.

[savage1987]

Unless you tow a caravan there is no need. Dana, the people who manufacture power steering systems say: "Power steering oil coolers are commonly found on higher performance or specialty vehicles, vehicles with increased trailer towing capacity, large car platforms, SUV’s and Trucks.
The oil only gets hot when the steering is under stress - reverseing a caravan, carpark valet services, circle work etc. Personal choice I suppose.

Pretty sure it also heats up at high RPM, because the pump is smashing the fluid through the circuit like no tomorrow... even just the pump friction at 5000 engine rpm will produce a hell of a lot of heat in that fluid, which isn't good for plastic tanks, rubber lines and o rings..

I think

Sam

[immortality]

Pretty sure it also heats up at high RPM, because the pump is smashing the fluid through the circuit like no tomorrow... even just the pump friction at 5000 engine rpm will produce a hell of a lot of heat in that fluid, which isn't good for plastic tanks, rubber lines and o rings..

I think

Sam

correct, the pump is geared (through pulley ratio's) to work properly at low RPM. there are numerous reports of factory plastic reservoirs failing due to heat in cars used for track day/club events and these guys only do a handfull of laps at a time

[LoveB]

How does one go about fitting these? anyone got a DIY write up?

[savage1987]

It's as easy as anything, just snip the low pressure return line (normal hose held on to reservoir with a hose clamp) and fit any sort of oil cooler in the gap. You may need to purchase a length of power steering/ auto trans fluid low pressure hose depending where you want to mount the cooler.

[BONSVR]

Wear would the best place to mount it be?

[immortality]

in front of the radiator

[savage1987]

Yea that'd be best, but I'll probably mount mine on the strut tower near the PS pump itself

[Surfwagon]

I had the small auto one fitted as my pwr tseer cooler and the largest factory one for the auto in my old super6 VS.

[dynoryder]

hi all dont fit a power steer cooler fit a filter there is no need for a cooler i fit a power steering rack evry day plus a lot of other stuff

just put a filter on maby a new rack too i never see racks ****ing out from heat just bad fluid

i only see like 1 car with burnt fluid evry 6 months

so all you need is a filter

if you a burning your fluid all the time then use a cooler

[chrisdoesitbetter]

Just put it on. ive got one, its amazing how hot the power steering fluid gets.

did u notice a big difference once you put it on SIG?? and how much did it cost you

[chrisdoesitbetter]

Yea that'd be best, but I'll probably mount mine on the strut tower near the PS pump itself

if you were to bolt it in front of the radiator, then would you need more fluid in the system as it has to travel further?

[dynoryder]

just use a filter unless its burning oil

[chrisdoesitbetter]

can you buy them from supercheap etc?

[dynoryder]

na they actaully come with our new racks but we have like 100 with no use i just give them away

[savage1987]

pedders gave me 2 filters for nothing, I have one on mine now.

I'd use a cooler if the car was getting set up for track work, but to an extent dynoryder is right, you won't need one until you're at high rpm for a long long time.

[immortality]

you got a pic of this filter. filters are a good idea. i have a external filter on the auto box for the exact same reason.