Power steering cooler

TorqueOfTheDevil

TorqueOfTheDevil

Member
Has anyone here added a power steering cooler?

I'm revamping the cooling on my truck with matching 19 row oil coolers for the transmission and engine and thought if I'm going to do it now is probably the best time to add a power steering cooler.

I was thinking of something like this:

Derale Power Steering Cooler Kit 13200 2.5" x 12.625" 11/32" Inlet/Outlet | eBay

Not a normal mod I know, but the LS400 that my power steering pump and engine cam from ran a light duty cooler, and the surf its going into didn't at all, combined with much wider tyres and increased engine revs that will essentially push oil about faster I think it is a good idea...

Does anyone have any pictures for inspiration?

Space will be tight with 2x oil coolers, and I still retain A/C... and want to add a front condenser fan!
 
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Is this necessary? I think a power steering filter would be more useful if you're trying to improve lifespan.
 
I have not done it, but I should start with my FJ62, rock crawling makes the steering pump work hard and it does get noisy sometimes.
 
There is miles of steel line between the rack and resevior. Im not sure its needed. I would just add a magnefine filter. Oh wait, I did.
 
Drcoffee said:
There is miles of steel line between the rack and resevior. Im not sure its needed. I would just add a magnefine filter. Oh wait, I did.
Click to expand...

I didn't really want this to be a "is it needed or not" thread.

My application is somewhat different to yours, its a non standard engine and pump as mentioned in the OP, also being right hand drive and the power steering pump being on the right hand side, the pipe work is considerably shorter than yours and consists of more rubber tube than stock would as I had to make up custom lines.

As mentioned the LS400 Donor car had a power steering cooler for running the same pump as it also had the pump and steering wheel on the same side (The "cooler" was just a loop of hard pipe that ran to the other side of the engine bay and back).

As LS400 pumps are known to seep oil slightly (which drips onto the alternator and kills it), and my engine gets a fair few revs which will generate more heat in the PAS system.. (certainly considerably more revs than the old diesel that it replaced...) I'd feel all warm and happy if I had a power steering cooler... even if it is just a big loop of metal pipe as seen on the LS400...

So all that said....

Anyone got any inspiration or experiences to share? :cheers:
 
TorqueOfTheDevil said:
I didn't really want this to be a "is it needed or not" thread.

My application is somewhat different to yours, its a non standard engine and pump as mentioned in the OP, also being right hand drive and the power steering pump being on the right hand side, the pipe work is considerably shorter than yours and consists of more rubber tube than stock would as I had to make up custom lines.

As mentioned the LS400 Donor car had a power steering cooler for running the same pump as it also had the pump and steering wheel on the same side (The "cooler" was just a loop of hard pipe that ran to the other side of the engine bay and back).

As LS400 pumps are known to seep oil slightly (which drips onto the alternator and kills it), and my engine gets a fair few revs which will generate more heat in the PAS system.. (certainly considerably more revs than the old diesel that it replaced...) I'd feel all warm and happy if I had a power steering cooler... even if it is just a big loop of metal pipe as seen on the LS400...

So all that said....

Anyone got any inspiration or experiences to share? :cheers:
Click to expand...

I added a Magnefine filter and that same cooler to my '02 Tacoma 3.4, mostly due to the high heat we have here (summer temps can hit 49C in summer). Mine was down low on the radiator support. I don't think it got much air flow, mostly it just added some fluid capacity. I have seen a cooler that is a large heat sink which would also work.
 
Mgyver1 said:
I added a Magnefine filter and that same cooler to my '02 Tacoma 3.4, mostly due to the high heat we have here (summer temps can hit 49C in summer). Mine was down low on the radiator support. I don't think it got much air flow, mostly it just added some fluid capacity. I have seen a cooler that is a large heat sink which would also work.
Click to expand...

Thanks, That's kind of where I'm suspecting it'll end up. it'll be safe from impact, the kit comes with core mounted fixings, but I think I have enough in the way of my radiator/condenser.

I don't think they really need much airflow, as you said, the increased capacity helps, and a larger surface area to just radiate off as much as possible.

That's also the usual factory location. We don't get anything like that heat, but I can occasionally feel a difference in steering when the oil is hot.
 
TorqueOfTheDevil said:
Thanks, That's kind of where I'm suspecting it'll end up. it'll be safe from impact, the kit comes with core mounted fixings, but I think I have enough in the way of my radiator/condenser.

I don't think they really need much airflow, as you said, the increased capacity helps, and a larger surface area to just radiate off as much as possible.

That's also the usual factory location. We don't get anything like that heat, but I can occasionally feel a difference in steering when the oil is hot.
Click to expand...

Here's an example of the heat sink style:
Heavy Duty Universal Power Steering Cooler
 
[MENTION=138011]TorqueOfTheDevil[/MENTION] here's the cooler mounted on my Tacoma:
 

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I bought this B&M for my sons 4runner but he totaled it before it got installed so I thought what the hell it's taking up space on the shelf so I used for my power steering cooler.


DSC03201_zpsf4ad2c5a.jpg~original




Also added about 3" to my reservoir.

DSC03206_zpsc2c1a39e.jpg~original
 
mmml4 said:
I bought this B&M for my sons 4runner but he totaled it before it got installed so I thought what the hell it's taking up space on the shelf so I used for my power steering cooler.


DSC03201_zpsf4ad2c5a.jpg~original




Also added about 3" to my reservoir.

DSC03206_zpsc2c1a39e.jpg~original
Click to expand...

That's INSANE! :guitar2:
 
Mgyver1 said:
[MENTION=138011]TorqueOfTheDevil[/MENTION] here's the cooler mounted on my Tacoma:
Click to expand...

Thanks.. looks good.. I might as well get a Magnefine filter on there too.

I like the look of the second heat sink style one too. I'll have a measure up when I start fabbing brakets for my oil coolers.
 
Because of the slow speeds offroading, one that sits in front of the condenser will work the best. A cooler just hanging out by itself is no more than an extra length of pipe.
 
Old thread, I know, but rather than start a new thread, figured I'd ask here:

1. Did the OP ever add the PS cooler?

2. What about mounting behind the AC condenser core? There's plenty of room there between it and the radiator for a tube and fin style cooler, at least.

3. Isn't there like 1000-1200 psi in the PS line? I'd be scared of a standard cooler with that pressure unless the return line is much lower pressure.

That is all

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
 
The cooler should go in front of the AC condenser, otherwise the P/S cooler will not do its job in the summer months.

I have one for the Landcruiser because it is heavy and P/S is working hard to turn the wheels. There is really no need for a P/S cooler for the 4runner as I never felt the the oil getting hot.
 
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