2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power Steering Fluid Coolers

[Matt42]

Many years ago, we had a few Dodge trucks and Ramchargers in the fleet that had power steering fluid coolers in the return lines. They were simple loops attached to the pump reservoirs, with between the tubes. Has anyone ever installed an oil cooler for their power steering line? Did it help? Has anyone installed a power steering fluid temperature gauge to monitor? Or should I find something else to worry about?

 

[illflem]

Considering there are folks that have gone 200k without changing their PS fluid without a problem I think you can worry about something else. Just change your fluid with a good synthetic yearly and you'll be way ahead of most.

 

[jmadden]

I vote for... worry about something else... but if you are really working the p/s a cooler can make a difference. I added power steering to my off-road only (rock crawling and such) vehicle ('75 Landcruiser) and after a couple instances of the fluid smoking/steaming out the reservoir lid added a used transmission cooler in the p/s return line. Smoking/steaming has not occurred since.



jm

 

[jrobinson2]

I see you have a 5 speed, if you really want to I think a trans cooler from an auto truck would be easiest, I thought about this with a Mile Marker hydraulic winch. I don't know when else it would be an issue.

Jared

 

[rujpn2]

In the course of daily driving, I would not worry about it. If you put your vehicle through extreme steering conditions (maybe using a snowplow?) then it might be an issue. Like jmadden, I added one to my Jeep. The steering squealled while I had the Jeep in the rocks, I added a cooler in the return line and that seemed to help, tremendously.

 

[HDH]

My wife's 97 1500 4x4 Gasser

Has the PS cooler, But my 98 2500 4x4 does not?.

Doesn't make sense to me.

Doug.

 

[emarsh]

I have a milemarker winch on my 77 bronco with a small power steering cooler from Jegs mail order, part # 771-1009, cost is $36, it has #6 AN fittings on it for easy attaching/detaching. With a saginal pump I would not worry. However, with the plastic resavoir ford pumps, a friend of mine had his meltdown at very high speed. I must agree that there are other things on our dodges to worry about, but changing the fluid every 2 years would be suficient in my view.