Power steering questions

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_nickjoseph

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Got a 97 k1500 a buddy of mine was telling me about a power steering cooler and filter that they sell at his work my my truck. Anyone have any knowledge on this or are using them? He kinda told me about it out the blue
 

stutaeng

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A lot of trucks came with P.S. coolers from the factory. You can easily add a cooler either buy a new replacement or aftermarket, along with some hose and clamps.

I don't believe a filter was installed in the factory P.S. system but just like brake fluid, is probably not needed.
 

_nickjoseph

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A lot of trucks came with P.S. coolers from the factory. You can easily add a cooler either buy a new replacement or aftermarket, along with some hose and clamps.

I don't believe a filter was installed in the factory P.S. system but just like brake fluid, is probably not needed.
Didn’t know if either were worth it or served any major purpose at all
 

TechNova

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I wonder about the need for a PS cooler on a street vehicle without hydravac, but GM put them on some vehicles for a reason.
I have never seen a factory PS filter but see them a lot on aftermarket steering parts sites and on Prolink.
 

454cid

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I have a cooler from the factory. I'm guessing its because of the added stress that hydroboost adds. I also installed a filter when I changed my hoses. It's just a small alumiminum filter that goes into the return line. I think it's just a screen. Its no bigger than a fuel filter for a riding lawn mower. Supposedly, the one I have is cleanable..... I think it has a snap ring holding it together. I bought it through Rockauto.
 

Pinger

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Are the coolers only fitted where Hydroboost is?
My guess was that is why it was there - never ever having seen a cooler on a PAS set-up before. Or a brake system combined with it. Is it much superior to the vacuum servo set-ups on other trucks?
 

stutaeng

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Are the coolers only fitted where Hydroboost is?
My guess was that is why it was there - never ever having seen a cooler on a PAS set-up before. Or a brake system combined with it. Is it much superior to the vacuum servo set-ups on other trucks?

No, at least not on the GMT800. My 99 Silverado 1500 4.3 has it. My '00 K3500 GMT-400 also has it. Looks the same on both models. Seems like a basic, reliable set-up, so easy to add it and low-cost. You can't go wrong by adding it.

You mean the "Hydroboost" brake system? Yes, that one is better than the vacuum system. It operates at double or triple the hydraulic pressure as the vacuum system. Don't you have a 2500 Suburban? The hydroboost was standard on 7.4/6.5 TD on the trucks. I think the same on the Suburbans? You can always add it. There are excellent write-ups on this website on it.
 
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stutaeng

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I think I mentioned before that my PS hoses on my 3500 developed pinhole leaks. When I bought the replacement hose the instructions said to replace all P.S. hoses because they deteriorate from the inside and particles wind in the pump, gearbox, etc.

I would subscribe to that, but unfortunately, I only replaced the leaky ones, LOL. Good preventive maintenance.
 

Pinger

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No, at least not on the GMT800. My 99 Silverado 1500 4.3 has it. My '00 K3500 GMT-400 also has it. Looks the same on both models. Seems like a basic, reliable set-up, so easy to add it and low-cost. You can't go wrong by adding it.

You mean the "Hydroboost" brake system? Yes, that one is better than the vacuum system. It operates at double or triple the hydraulic pressure as the vacuum system.Don't you have a 2500 Suburban? The hydroboost was standard on 7.4/6.5 TD on the trucks. I think the same on the Suburbans? You can always add it.There are excellent write-ups on this website on it.

Yep, my Suburban has it. Just curious whether it's a better system than the vacuum system. Seems the answer to that is yes.

As an aside - makes sense for a diesel that would need a separate vacuum pump anyway.
 
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