Power steering cooler

xjmarc · May 18, 2015

Does anyone see a problem using a transmission cooler on my power steering? I'm on the broke side and have a tranny cooler. Fluid was close to boiling this weekend.

Bluetorch Fab · May 18, 2015

the biggest over looked item on most rigs is a steering cooler. The Derale tube and fin setup is a good budget friendly cooler option. http://derale.com/products/fluid-coolers/power-steering any of these will help.

TBItoy · May 18, 2015

Is there a difference in a ps cooler and trans cooler?

I know a lot of people say to not use plate style coolers in a ps system.

I've always used the biggest tube and fin style that I could fit in front of the radiator...

crawlin85cj · May 18, 2015

IMO you want the least restrictive cooler possible on a steering system. This is why I don't like a plate cooler and lean towards a tube and fin with a fan.

2010 Jim's Garage 4429
2012 Jim's Garage YJ
2013 Wide Open Design WFO

Frankenyoter · May 18, 2015

I'm no high performance baller, but I've had great service out of a tranny cooler mounted in front of my radiator. Just a modified Sag pump on a Yota 2F motor.

xjmarc · May 18, 2015

Thanks guys now to remember where the cooler is in my jacked up garage.

RustyC · May 18, 2015

If you mount it horizontally make sure it flows bottom to top so air will not get trapped.

FlatlandFSJ · May 19, 2015

Assuming since it would take some strange fittings to put in before the box, most of you guys are running the coolers after the box on the low pressure side correct?

crawlin85cj · May 19, 2015

Cooler is typically on the return side, if not always. I've never seen a cooler on the reassure side.

2010 Jim's Garage 4429
2012 Jim's Garage YJ
2013 Wide Open Design WFO

kushKrawlin · May 19, 2015

I do have a question, sorry to hijack, didn't wanna start another thread., but has anyone used 2 coolers for hydro steering? Or is this askin for trouble? Always wondered that. I figure as long as there's no air It would only help. But half the time I'm wrong. The other half I'm almost right.

John Galbreath Jr. · May 19, 2015

kushKrawlin said:
I do have a question, sorry to hijack, didn't wanna start another thread., but has anyone used 2 coolers for hydro steering? Or is this askin for trouble? Always wondered that. I figure as long as there's no air It would only help. But half the time I'm wrong. The other half I'm almost right.

Restriction on the suction side is bad. Go with one of these:

http://www.wideopendesign.com/Product/10462/PSC-12-Heat-Sink-Cooler-Kit-8-Fittings.aspx

If need more cooling, go with a longer one. A 12" on front only on Solo Buggy works good.

tallnate · May 19, 2015

kushKrawlin said:
I do have a question, sorry to hijack, didn't wanna start another thread., but has anyone used 2 coolers for hydro steering? Or is this askin for trouble? Always wondered that. I figure as long as there's no air It would only help. But half the time I'm wrong. The other half I'm almost right.

I run 2 coolers on mine. I have a deral heat sink cooler mounted inside the frame that flows to a small plate and fin cooler in front of the radiator. Might be overkill but I haven't had a problem with my steering since I added the second cooler.

Neal3000 · May 19, 2015

Heatsink + full synthetic fluid ftw

kushKrawlin · May 19, 2015

Yea that's what I have now. Like john posted. Apparently I need to overdrive or some **** my pulley. Lord help. If it ain't bed bugs it's piss Ants.

tallnate · May 19, 2015

kushKrawlin said:
Yea that's what I have now. Like john posted. Apparently I need to overdrive or some **** my pulley. Lord help. If it ain't bed bugs it's piss Ants.

Mount your fluid reservoir to a bracket off of the engine so that the reservoir moves with the pump if there's any chassis flex. This will keep the supply hose bending / restricting gravity feed to the pump. I just fabricated something simple that bolts to the front of the head. I went through 2 pumps in a little over a year before mounting my reservoir to the engine.. it's been about 3 years now since the mount change and my pump is still working like brand new. Same thing with my friends rig.. after 2 or 3 pumps he made a mount off the engine and he's not had a problem since either.

Neal3000 · May 19, 2015

kushKrawlin said:
Yea that's what I have now. Like john posted. Apparently I need to overdrive or some **** my pulley. Lord help. If it ain't bed bugs it's piss Ants.

Factory pump?

kushKrawlin · May 19, 2015

Neal3000 said:
Factory pump?

Yes. All is good except havin to rev it up a lil to turn, at idle it will stall the dam motor.. Not cool really. Sob is great when movin tho. I just dont understand. I read and read and come up with not much. Except maybe pulley size. Then I wonder, whats the right size pulley?

Neal3000 · May 19, 2015

I've been down that road, tried a smaller pulley but it makes the pump scream at higher rpm's

PSC pump or something similar will cure your problem

al1tonyota · May 19, 2015

Neal3000 said:
I've been down that road, tried a smaller pulley but it makes the pump scream at higher rpm's

PSC pump or something similar will cure your problem

I think it is more of engine idle problem! It idles low!

tallnate · May 19, 2015

al1tonyota said:
I think it is more of engine idle problem! It idles low!

haha yeah I was gonna say what's your idle rpm and what's your ps pump pulley dia. Friend of mine runs a 400sbc on pane and I swear that thing idles at about 300rpm.