On 10/07/2013 03:26 AM, Ashton Crusher wrote:
> On Sun, 06 Oct 2013 18:02:06 -0400, MoPar Man > wrote:
>
>> I finally found out where my power-steering fluid was leaking from.
>>
>> After taking off the front plastic facia (which was easier to do than I
>> thought), the leak was easy to see.
>>
>> The so-called power-steering fluid cooler is just a 4-ft long piece of
>> aluminum tubing bent into a long U shape and mounted sort-of under and
>> in front of the radiator. Rubber hoses connect to this pipe on the
>> driver's side using simple hose-clamps.
>>
>> The pipe is welded to a pair of brackets that are bolted to the
>> underside of the radiator bulkhead. A small radiator (tranny cooler?)
>> is mounted to the front side of the radiator, directly behind this
>> cooler-pipe. The inlet and outlet for this small rad are located on the
>> bottom side. The PS cooler pipe was in direct contact with one of the
>> inlet/outlet nuts of this small rad.
>>
>> One of the brackets must have been bent slightly during a minor
>> front-end impact with either a snow bank or parking curb, causing the
>> pipe to remain in constant contact with the nut. This caused a hole to
>> be worn into the pipe, causing the leak.
>>
>> Here's what this cooler-pipe looks like:
>>
>> http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDgwMA==/$(KGrHqV,!n0FBZy3hOwvBQnTNBC8+Q~~60_35.JPG
>>
>> Apparently, that one was being sold on ebay for $40 - and it was used.
>> I see that someone sold a new one last year for $30. Most places seem
>> to be selling this for $50 - $75.
>>
>> I could probably make one, it looks so simple in design.
>>
>> Since it's the fall and the temps are going to get cold, I could
>> probably just bypass this thing by connecting the hoses together.
>>
>> But I wonder if the power steering fluid gets so hot that you really
>> need this stupid piece of pipe?
>
> Not having seen your cooler and the leaking spot my suggestion might
> not work but it most likely could easily be fixed by simply putting a
> piece of rubber over the hole and a hose clamp over that. Or cut out
> a 6" length where the damage is and put an appropriate sized piece of
> hydraulic hose in the gap secured with hose clamps.
>

Or removing the cooler and soldering the hole shut, either by just
filling it with solder, or soldering a piece of thin sheet over top of
the damaged section.

nate

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