Power Steering Cooler? Replacement

[RScottyL]

I have what appears to be a power steering cooler that runs in front of the A/C condenser in front of the car. Anyway, I hit a high speed bump at some point, and it has pushed it into the condenser, which poked a hole in it.

The power steering cooler now has a small leak in it, and needs to be replaced.

I am looking for a replacement part for this, and need to know the exact name, as it is not coming up on a search on Autozone, or Pep Boys.

Anyone know where to get this?

 

[99Mystique ATX]

You could get an aftermarket cooler for it if you can't find an OEM replacement for it.

You could try a dealership or if that fails hit up a junkyard.

PS Cooler to the best of my knowledge isn't SVT specific, i'm pretty sure non-SVT's got the same exact cooler so that may be something to look into.

 

[Big Jim]

You got the name right. It is the power steering cooler. It is not SVT specific so there should be an abundance of them in the wrecking yards. You also should have no trouble adapting one from a different kind of car if needed. Also, a welding shop could probably repair it.

 

[blu_fuz]

My '95 power steering cooler "u" thingy does not have fins on it like the SVTs - I am unsure of other years, but get one with fins.

 

[morbid]

As far as I know, the SVT p/s cooler is SVT specific. You can spend less money and get a better one though. If you don't drive it hard, you might be able to get away with the non-SVT (or early model ?) non-finned cooler.

 

[amc49]

If it's in non finned area, cut a section from the tube that's damaged and patch in a piece of hose, pretty sure that's low pressure return line.

 

[pre98zetec]

Not sure if i'd do this living in texas but here in ny i bypassed mine along time ago. Mine started leaking from there too. Chopped the line and hooked it back up. Never ha da problem since. It doesn't get too hot here though, which is why I probably wouldnt do it in a place like texas.

 

[morbid]

Yeah... if you live in the heat or autocross, the OEM cooler is inadequate.

 

[amc49]

I live in Texas. I think they put cooler on there for a reason, but I also remember when NO cars ever got one, and they seemed to do just fine. I would consider bypassing one too. It's freakin' power steering, what can go wrong? I do one thing religiously however. I change a great portion of the fluid on a regular basis, most people never do that. I use a turkey baster hooked to a short piece of fuel line to get length. Fluid is far cheaper than steering unit or power unit repairs. It may work, I have never had a power steering related failure over several cars and 30 years.

 

[morbid]

I've easily boiled/frothed mine autocrossing... and had it happen during "spirited" driving during mid-summer. The underdrive pulley helped, as did changing the fluid every year... but it still would happen sometimes during summer auto-x events. Upgrading the cooler ultimately eliminated my overheating problem.

The cooler is absolutely needed. Once you boil the fluid, that allows air bubbles into the system which is not good for the pump (groan). Doing this repeatedly will surely shorten the pump's life.

So, there are 3 things that will help prolong the pump:
1) Underdrive pulley - will reduce the chance of frothing the fluid at high rpms.
2) Frequently changed synthetic fluid - higher temperature tolerance to reduce boiling.
3) Upgraded cooler - to help keep the fluid even cooler.

In the end... #2 will help most people, but all 3 should be done if the car is auto-x'd or tracked... or any other similar fun stuff (canyon carving, etc..).