Latest Project--Power Steering Cooler (1 Viewer)

[Lugboot]

Yeha, my power steering cooler has a leak in it. Rusted to the point of no return. Ordered a new one from CDan--dang things are spendy for some bent hardline and a couple hoses.

Oh, and the good news--gotta pull the radiator to replace it since two of the mounting bolts are under the rad. So I guess I'll be working on this next week in my driveway.

Of course, the "What else can I do?" has started. Considered doing a power steering overhaul but don't feel like spending a ton more cash for a new pump and high pressure line or rebuilding the one I have, so that's out. Now I'm thinking about starting the process for dual batts since all this stuff is being pulled apart...a righthand side battery tray and maybe a windshield washer relo kit from Slee?

Also think I'll take the time to get the rad flushed and flow checked. It'll be out, so why not? Gotta save my HG for as long as possible, you know.

Strange how these repairs grow and grow...

 

[Wayneraintree]

I think the dual batteries is a good idea..... what do you want the extra for? OBA? Fridge?

 

[Lugboot]

For starters, it'll be insurance for the 1,000 watt invertor I have laying around waiting to install. I've killed too many truck batteries charging lights at 24hr mtb races. Then it'll help out the winch when that gets bought and installed (I know I don't *need* it for a winch, but, hey). And, yeah, OBA is down the line somewhere. Not sure about the fridge, yet. The other stuff seems more practical so far.

 

[BROKEROB1]

Brett, Why not go with a Summit or some type of after market unit? I would imagine you could use just about anyone's small transmission type cooler unit for less than $100.

I hear ya on spendy 80 parts... I have to order a new brake booster and master cylinder for mine... with CDan discount it will still be $575! I am hoping to get things back together for the piggy run.

With a little luck and a couple of [cases of] I am sure you will have no trouble knocking this out!

 

[campoj2]

I score a power steering from a junk yard for $20, they didn't know what it was and I told them it was a transmission line...they probably thought they took me for the ride!

The line is not much fun to install, in fact, that was the time I decided to swap out the rad. It all falls under the premise "while you're there you might as well". Have fun and make sure you have plenty of beer!

 

[Lugboot]

Brett, Why not go with a Summit or some type of after market unit? I would imagine you could use just about anyone's small transmission type cooler unit for less than $100.

I hear ya on spendy 80 parts... I have to order a new brake booster and master cylinder for mine... with CDan discount it will still be $575! I am hoping to get things back together for the piggy run.

With a little luck and a couple of [cases of] I am sure you will have no trouble knocking this out!

Yes, I should've researched a little more before buying the replacement but I have it now so it's going in and then I'll forget about it for a long time! Good luck on the master cylinder.

I score a power steering from a junk yard for $20, they didn't know what it was and I told them it was a transmission line...they probably thought they took me for the ride!

The line is not much fun to install, in fact, that was the time I decided to swap out the rad. It all falls under the premise "while you're there you might as well". Have fun and make sure you have plenty of beer!

Good score. I hear you on the radiator. I plan to take mine to a shop to get it flushed, rodded and flowchecked before it goes back in so the 80 will be down for a few days. But, if it's out, might as well do it instead of taking it out again...

 

[Lugboot]

Finally got around to this last night. Things get easier the second time you do them, since I changed the fan clutch and belts, flushed coolant, replaced hoses last year, everything came apart much easier this time. Gotta love anti-seize.

The coolant that drained out looked like it was put in yesterday. It was only a year old, but still, it made me feel pretty good.

Only almost blunder was starting to loosen an AC line junction before realizing what it was. That would've sucked.

And then it took awhile to realize the FSM doesn't take into account the AC cooler sitting in front of the radiator when it just says to remove "two nuts" and pull the radiator. I ended up removing the top core support to get to them.

After all the disassembly, swapping the power steering cooler was pretty simple. I hope never to touch it again.

The rad's in the back of the car heading for Middletown Radiator Service today. Plan is to have everything back together next week in time to drive it to IPOR for some TLC while we're in Virginia Beach on vacation.

And I didn't even or throw a . Amazed myself.

 

[Eskimo]

And I didn't even or throw a . Amazed myself.

That's truly amazing. Somehow even with cardboard over the fins, I always seem to do a cheese grater on my knuckles when working in that area... well done, sir..

 

[Lugboot]

Not sure how I avoided the cheese grater--it sure tried to get a chunk of flesh. I might have appeased the truck before that spot, though, when I was breaking the fan clutch nuts loose. I had my left foot in the engine bay on a frame rail and the right foot outside on the fairlead tab on the ARB and both arms down between the engine and the fan shroud. One hand was putting tension on the belts to hold the water pump pulley in place and the other was working the wrench on one of the nuts.

Well, guess what? my right foot shot off the fairlead tab and I started to fall out of the engine bay, with both hands pretty much useless for catching myself. I ended up catching and bracing myself on my right forearm, with most fo my body weight, which sccrraaappped against the fan shroud and then was able to keep myself from falling on my head in the driveway. I have a nice memento from that.

I didn't really get mad though because it was a stupid place to put my foot in the first place. next time up, I put my foot INSIDE the bumper. Learned me reel good.

 

[Lugboot]

Middletown Radiator

Got the radiator back today. The guy said it was pretty good and didn't need much. Only cost $30. Middletown Radiator is a nice shop run by a good guy. Upfront and helpful. Wish I could find more of those. If anyone needs radiator work done, I recommend them. When I was picking up my rad, there was one from a Massey Ferguson combine there. Freaking huge!