waybad1
1/2 ton status
Is a power steering cooler necessary with hydro-assist? What is the easiest set-up. A cooler similar
to a transmission fluid cooler?
to a transmission fluid cooler?
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Power steering cooler?
- Thread starter waybad1
- Start date
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
I run this one, many others run the same one. Works well and I think its better than the tranny cooler looking ones.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-331000/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-331000/overview/
waybad1
1/2 ton status
That kinda of cooler never entered my mind. That should fit behind my grille better that a transmission type cooler which is already there taking up a lot of space. I assume this
would run off the low pressure hose?
would run off the low pressure hose?
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
Yeah I run mine on the driver side fender. Yeah the regular 3/8 line will work...just get a good squeeze on the pipe clamps.
So when you put this in you will plumb into the return line. Return to the steering pump goes in the cooler and the steering box return line goes into the coolers other port.
So when you put this in you will plumb into the return line. Return to the steering pump goes in the cooler and the steering box return line goes into the coolers other port.
I have a small "tube and fin" cooler up front. Its what came in PSC's kit. Ive been meaning to call PSC and ask if a "plate" style cooler would be ok to use. They tend to cool better and last longer than the fin style. Im just worried about flow, don't need backpressure at the box.
waybad1
1/2 ton status
I kinda like the heat sink on, but would want it behind the grille.
waybad1
1/2 ton status
Were you thinking about selling yours?
waybad1
1/2 ton status
I ended up picking this up tonight. No accessories, but should be an easy install.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172011536377
http://www.ebay.com/itm/172011536377
I used a LONG branded cooler, made by Tru cool. the stack coolers offer less resistance than the tube and fin type. Most say to install with the fitting to the side...but have you ever looked at how GM installs their trans coolers? ports to the bottom.
http://www.bakerprecision.com/trucool.htm
If you using your steering alot, a good sized 11x8 would be a good idea. Mine has worked great and never had an issue with overheating or foaming of the fluid.
http://www.bakerprecision.com/trucool.htm
If you using your steering alot, a good sized 11x8 would be a good idea. Mine has worked great and never had an issue with overheating or foaming of the fluid.
Are you sure Zim? Seems a tube and fin would have less resistance since its literally a straight shot through.
Also, how often should the fluid get changed? I haven't changed my royal purple in 3 years.
Also, how often should the fluid get changed? I haven't changed my royal purple in 3 years.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
I think the tube and fin was thought of being the S shapes through a finned cooler. The straight shot ones, like the one i posted is the best for flow. Power steering fluid doesnt lose its charm unless its been scorched...id say changing it once every 5 years is a little extreme. Maybe if you were desert bombing in an ultra 4...
I have no issues with the tube and fin cooler. Easy to pick up at any parts store. Zim and I had no issues running trails, but Ryan(don't remember his sn) was puking power steering fluid everywhere trying to turn 40's with no assist and no cooler. I think he killed the pump by the end of the day.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
Yeah my cooler is hot to the touch when im turning 40s on rocks. The cooler is a must have, plus you pick up some fluid capacity.
waybad1
1/2 ton status
Not a great location to mount, but to be honest the cooler is way too big. I wish I could use the extra capacity to remove
the fill hose on the pump, but I think with it mounted up above the pump that would not work.
Oh and it is fuel line, but don't think that matters on the low side.
![IMG_0100[1].JPG](https://ck5.com/forums/data/attachments/170/170781-aa6b8bf06ac10b51fbc447158a81f8bc.jpg "IMG_0100[1].JPG")
![IMG_0101[1].JPG](https://ck5.com/forums/data/attachments/170/170782-646b8c22f1ae825b91ac8dd928d725f4.jpg "IMG_0101[1].JPG")
the fill hose on the pump, but I think with it mounted up above the pump that would not work.
Oh and it is fuel line, but don't think that matters on the low side.
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I should have said the stacked coolers are more efficient than a tube and fin type.
As Jesse said any cooler will help immensely, the bigger the better if your sawing the wheel alot
I think it's a necessity with assist. I run a stacked plate cooler with the hoses running down. Mine works fine. Pump hasn't given me any trouble but I got a pretty large transmission cooler to use as my power steering cooler
I've got a transmission style cooler for mine, haven't put it on yet though. Also have a stacked plate cooler I could use too. It defently on the list of imediate things to do once I get the K5 back in the shop.
FWIW: The pump is about dead. Works ok with the hubs unlocked moving it around the yard, but if I have the hubs locked or run it for any real amount of time it starts making noise.
This is on a welded D60 with driveflanges, cross over steering and hydroboost brakes. Hydro assist is in the works once I scare up a ram/lines.
And yes...at the end of the day that pump was hating life.
Obviously the fuel line will handle the pressure of the return oil, but I wonder if there is a possibility of the oil softening the inner liner of the fuel line. I honestly don't know if there could be a future problem.
I would think that a stacked plate cooler could offer slightly less restriction due to having multiple flow paths for the oil. I have heard that they are more efficient in the cooling properties, but could that design also have another benefit? Or would it all be balanced by the line from the cooler back to the reservoir?
From my experience, you can tell how effective a cooler, or cooler placement is by how much the oil darkens from use. Yes , I would prefer to check the oil temperature during use with a temp gun, but I have witnessed people who ignored what the oil was telling them.
I would think that a stacked plate cooler could offer slightly less restriction due to having multiple flow paths for the oil. I have heard that they are more efficient in the cooling properties, but could that design also have another benefit? Or would it all be balanced by the line from the cooler back to the reservoir?
From my experience, you can tell how effective a cooler, or cooler placement is by how much the oil darkens from use. Yes , I would prefer to check the oil temperature during use with a temp gun, but I have witnessed people who ignored what the oil was telling them.
wetoolowdingbangow
1/2 ton status
Fuel line only gets its name by being both oil and fuel resistant so its safe. I believe the most efficient way to cool power steering fluid is to use the heatsink design like the one I linked. That said I dont think the differences are huge. Ive seen quite a few trans cooler styles that were a little on the small side and I know to scrub heat you need surface area and flow more than anything.
The oil is a great indicator. My fluid looks very close to the day I put it in.
The oil is a great indicator. My fluid looks very close to the day I put it in.
waybad1
1/2 ton status
The fluid I drained was dark and smelled burned. I never thought about feeling the line when in use, the high pressure side was definitely hot under stress.
