Power Steering Cooler Popped

[autumn walker]

I was pulling into the trail head last Saturday when I felt a vibration in my brake pedal and heard a horrible "pump running without any fluid in it" noise whenever I applied the brakes or turned the steering wheel.

I immediately pulled off and shut the truck down. Popped the hood to see fluid pissed out all over the underside of the hood from the power steering cooler. One of the top loops was corroded and I guess the pressure finally got to it. Had the truck towed back to my driveway; didn't want to drive it w/o fluid in the pump and didn't want to risk the hydrostatic brake system being down.

Called around, ended up ordering a replacement cooler from a GM dealership - $265 shipped. Unfortunately it's coming from Michigan so it'll be Friday (at best) before I see it.

What fluid do I need to put back into it when I get the new cooler? I removed the cap from the reservoir and it is bone dry; it shot out every last drop that was in there.

 

[Fish]

I'm no mechanic but I would guess you need to add power steering fluid...:wink:

 

[Hunner]

Are you talkin bout the pump?

 

[twinmill28]

What about the trees? Did you get every drop of that environmental catastrophy cleaned up before the endangered red headed wood pecker got any in his beak and contaminated all the trees in the forest? I tell you, HUMMER's are horrible for the environment.
On the other hand, sorry to hear this took a crap on you, hope all is well soon.

 

[autumn walker]

I'm no mechanic but I would guess you need to add power steering fluid...:wink:

lol

Is PS fluid PS fluid?

 

[LagunaH1]

Not to be a brat but.... your owner's manual probably lists the various fluids your truck needs.....

 

[[__--MUD--__]]

Wow... any regular powersteering cooler would work as long as it was atleast equal size and had the correct fittings. A comparable aftermarket unit to the stock is only like $50. Since your is ****, I would of gone w/ a much larger unit anyway to keep from cooking the fluid. Half the price you pay for stock crap-
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/AGR-910607/?rtype=10

You would be suprised how ****ing hot that bitch gets.

Drain the rest of your fluid and put in a good high quality synthetic powersteering fluid like red line or valvoline. Just switching to synthetic should give you a slightly noticable improvement in steering.

 

[autumn walker]

[QUOTE='[__--MUD--__]Drain the rest of your fluid and put in a good high quality synthetic powersteering fluid like red line or valvoline. Just switching to synthetic should give you a slightly noticable improvement in steering.[/QUOTE]

This is the feedback I was looking for. Thanks Mud.

 

[autumn walker]

Got the new cooler installed last night - the fittings are a bitch to get at!

Filled the pump back up with PS fluid, topped off the headlight fluid () and I'm back in business!

 

[alrock]

Glad to hear you're up and running. Was that synthetic headlight fluid you used?

 

[autumn walker]

Was that synthetic headlight fluid you used?

Of course!

 

[oil7361]

Hi i have the same problem. Can you tell me where you got the cooler from ? I'm in the UK and cant get the correct part

Thanks

Ronnie Mac

 

[autumn walker]

I ordered mine from a local GM dealer - nobody else had the part. Had to be shipped up from Michigan, USA

 

[oil7361]

Thanks but i dont have a local dealer in aberdeen scotland i have to order from the usa

 

[[__--MUD--__]]

Dont waste your money on a stock replacement unit! Any aftermarket powersteering cooler that is atleast the same size or larger will work. Powersteering circuit needs more cooling that that stock POS anyway.

 

[SummitUp]

You would be suprised how ****ing hot that bitch gets.

Boy you got that right! Especially when your wheeling hard and there's not enough forward motion to move any air over the cooler. My solution was to add a fan:

 

[Moosedan]

I'd like to replace my cooler because it leaked in the same spot. What have you found to be the best cooler and where to mount it?

 

[tomp]

Mud has offered up some good advice, the stock ps cooler is too small and cooks the fluid. Upgrade to an aftermarket cooler if you can. Redline offers quality full syn ps fluid. The OEM cooler size was obviously not meant for wheeling with low tire pressures and excessive steering and braking (bear in mind hydroboost brakes here)

 

[Green 1]

Mud has offered up some good advice, the stock ps cooler is too small and cooks the fluid. Upgrade to an aftermarket cooler if you can. Redline offers quality full syn ps fluid. The OEM cooler size was obviously not meant for wheeling with low tire pressures and excessive steering and braking (bear in mind hydroboost brakes here)

Tom P Mud and Summit know the H2 issue well. Go with the after market larger cooler add a fan if you want and a good synthetic fluid and you will be as good as it gets.

 

[SummitUp]

I've yet to see a post on any Hummer forum of an aftermarket P.S. cooler installation. If anyone knows of one please post a link. Locations to mount one on the H2 are limited, and plumbing one in would be difficult at best.

 

[autumn walker]

I've yet to see a post on any Hummer forum of an aftermarket P.S. cooler installation. If anyone knows of one please post a link. Locations to mount one on the H2 are limited, and plumbing one in would be difficult at best.

this is why I went with OEM - I looked at the location and way everything is plumbed and figured the OEM was best option.

 

[Gav508]

Can anyone direct me the right way to drain the system so that I can change over to synthetic? I've been wanting to do this but just not sure how to.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

[SummitUp]

Check this out: :link:

 

[Gav508]

Thanks. It's a great write up. Would Beverly have thought to do it that way. :thumbup:

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2