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#1
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What is a power steering cooler?
Hello,
I just took my SVX to the local Midas for an oil change. I was told that I was leaking fluid from my transmission cooler and that it needed to be replaced. No big deal, I ordered one and was ready to have the work done. However, I checked my fluid level and it was fine. So, I checked my other fluids and found that the power steering resevoir was down. Knowing that it takes ATF I figured that the problem was mis-diagnosed and brought the car in expecting to need a hose or pump. However, I was told it was the power steering cooler that was leaking. They quoted me $99.63 plus labor for the part and installation. I authorized the work and have the car back in good shape. But now I am scratching my head as I cannot find any information on the SVX having such a thing as a power steering cooler. Can anyone enlighten me as to what it was that got replaced? As always, Thanks, Gator |
#2
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
The power steering cooler is a super simple thing on the SVX. It's a bare metal line bent into a long U shape, and sits between the radiator and the AC condensor.
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Chris 92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping 2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl |
#3
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
Thanks Pilot,
That helps me to understand it much better. But, I think I got taken on the pricing. Part: $99.63, Installation: $134.82, Flush: $119.95. Total: $354.40. Does this sound extreme? Gator |
#4
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
Lol I think you can do it yourself for cheaper
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1994 SVX L - FWD Barcelona Red 190K miles ~ SOLD 1994 SVX LS - 5spd AWD Emerald Green 202k miles PWR Radiator, HID 5000k, New paint job with issues, 17" STI BBS wheels, converted to 5spd AWD from FWD. Purchased from SVXyGirl 2/20/09 -- Undergoing complete rebuild 1993 Justy 4wd 5door- Teal of sorts , beater. 2008 OBXT Newport Pearl 65k miles |
#5
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
Subaruparts.com actually lists the cooler at $80, so with typical shop markup that's a price I would expect. The labour to change it can be more or less involved. They may have been able to remove the upper rad supports and pull the rad back enough to access the cooler, but they may have had to remove the rad completely for easier access. $135 would be about 1.5 hours of labour at typical shop rates here, which seems maybe a bit high if they didn't remove the rad, but not unreasonable. The flush charge I think is unnecessary. All the fluid would have drained out while the cooler was being replaced, and after that it's a simple matter to re-fill the system, no powered flush required.
And yes, like Wikedju........^^^him says, it's a fairly simple job to do yourself if you have some wrench time, maybe an afternoon worth of work. It's quite messy, as any job involving fluids. You could do it for the cost of the part and a couple quarts of Dexron III fluid.
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Chris 92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping 2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl Last edited by Crazy_pilot; 12-05-2008 at 04:52 PM. |
#6
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
I had a leaking power steering cooler. There was a small hole caused by corrosion. I cut a patch from a copper water pipe and stuck it over the hole with some epoxy.
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Subaru ECU and TCU Website 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1992 Alcyone SVX Version L 1994 Alcyone SVX S40-II 2004 Subaru Legacy 2.5 SE Sports Tourer 1996 Subaru Legacy 2.2 GX Wagon 1988 Subaru Justy J12 SL-II |
#7
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
when doing front mounts on DSM's i usually take the cooler off and just loop the hose back to the pump.
You would be lucky if the temps ever got that high. then again on the SVX the line runs under the exhaust manifold. I would keep the cooler... lol
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Mike 1992 SVX LS-L Pearl White 102,000 miles (Gone) 2005 Evolution 8 SSL Tarmac Black (new daily) 1995 Eclipse GSX Durango Copper Pearl (teh beast) 276awhp/280awtq @ 18psi (560's inj) 260awhp/260awtq @ 17psi (stock inj) |
#8
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You could probably "design" a brand new cooler yourself for cheap.
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"That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." '92 Dark Teal SVX LS-L, >146,000m 3 pedals, 5 speeds., restoration underway. 2012 Honda Insight, slow but cute. |
#9
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
now THAT we have done in the DSMs
One guy was out road racing and his PS would always overheat cause of the conditions while tracking the car. so he bought a mini 2 row cooler and made a small bracket to keep it in place in the front bumper and never had the problem again.
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Mike 1992 SVX LS-L Pearl White 102,000 miles (Gone) 2005 Evolution 8 SSL Tarmac Black (new daily) 1995 Eclipse GSX Durango Copper Pearl (teh beast) 276awhp/280awtq @ 18psi (560's inj) 260awhp/260awtq @ 17psi (stock inj) |
#10
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Re: What is a power steering cooler?
Using an external transmission cooler for the power steering would be a great idea. I had done away with my cooler when I tossed the a/c (bolts to the condenser). Since, I have experienced temp steering assist loss under heavy use at auto-X events... A cooler will help keep temps down and keep the assist working consistently
Tom |
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