Aftermarket power steering cooler?

[upsman123]

I am wondering if i can replace my oem power steering cooler with an after market ones that the internet and auto parts stores keep showing me. The after market ones has fins and is only $20 the oem is $70+ and i cant find in auto part stores. Im curious if buying the 20 dollar one will effect the mounting of the rack and pinion in anyway?

thanks in advance
andrew
2002 4x4 4.0 xlt

 

[adsm08]

You may need to mount the aftermarket cooler somewhere else and run lines to it. It will probably cool better because the fins facilitate heat transfer.

FWIW Ford's OE PS coolers are really just long sections of large diameter brake line bent into a U.

 

[Grumpaw]

For some high quality coolers check out Derale fluid coolers. They carry a full line of coolers for every fluid on your vehicle.
Best bet is to get them from Amazon.....just punch in Derale power steering coolers.
Run them on our motor home trans cooler, and have a trans cooler coming in tomorrow for the Ranger.

 

[Dirtman]

Just don't use one like 99% of rangers...

 

[sgtsandman]

The power steering coolers that I’ve seen on Rangers are either just a loop of tubing or a finned model like what you are asking about. Which models and years have the finned cooler, I can’t say but they exist. That will be the easiest upgrade available for you.

Explorers use the same steering system, at least in the Sport model, so that may be another option. The Sport Trac may be another possibility as well.

With all that being said, is there a particular reason you are looking to upgrade? With the finned cooler not being installed on a lot of Rangers, it must not be needed in most cases.

Another option to think about is changing the power steering fluid every so often. The system is often neglected and the fluid wears out in them just like anything else. I change the fluid in my reservoir every three years like I do my brake fluid.

The system uses Mercon V just like the transmissions. So not hard to find and the procedure is easy to do. It may not be as good as a full system flush but you don’t risk stressing the pump due to cavitation like you do with draining and refilling the system.

 

[19Walt93]

This is the cooler I used because my 351 exhaust is so close to the steering box.