power streeing

**txoutlaw69** · 10-01-2012, 03:16 PM

hi need help i have a 02 ws6 trans am my power streering cooler went out so i replaced it with a new power steering pump and a new power steering cooler but after that its been hard to turn so i put a nother pump on and same dam thing it feels like i dont even have power streering does anyone know if i am missing something i even took off the lines to make sure that iam getting fuild it seems to be fine

**98TransAmWs-6** · 10-01-2012, 04:37 PM

Did you bleed the pump when you replaced it? If not you likely have air in the pump and lines. I would try bleeding it and then see if that helps.

**az gt eater** · 10-01-2012, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

Did you bleed the pump when you replaced it? If not you likely have air in the pump and lines. I would try bleeding it and then see if that helps.

That's what i thought even before I got in this thread.

**blackcar** · 10-02-2012, 07:11 AM

If your power steering COOLER went out you need to flush all the fluid out of your rack to get the water out.

**johnfin** · 10-02-2012, 10:26 AM

How do you know when the cooler goes, do you start over flowing dexcool in the power steering fluid? Man what a mess

**blackcar** · 10-02-2012, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by johnfin

How do you know when the cooler goes, do you start over flowing dexcool in the power steering fluid? Man what a mess

Yes and ps fluid in your dexcool. So you would need to flush both. Most people with the stock cooler replace them with an aftermarket one. It seems it will be "when" they go bad not "if". Luckily with over 100,000 miles mine is still good, but on my list to replace.

**johnfin** · 10-02-2012, 12:22 PM

I dont see any on the ws6 store site. Do you have any links for a new cooler. How do you bleed the power steering.

**blackcar** · 10-02-2012, 12:39 PM

I don't have any links. I know some members on here (like PAJeff) have changed theirs maybe they will chime in.

To flush the rack, hang the hoses down in a bucket and work the wheel back and forth. It will push almost all the fluid out. If you want you can refill the rack and repeat.

**blackcar** · 10-02-2012, 12:45 PM

Also found this #4

**txoutlaw69** · 10-02-2012, 03:21 PM

i got mine from hayden they run about 35 bucs

**slimss** · 10-02-2012, 05:56 PM

I had the exact same thing happen to my 2000 chevy pick up. Replaced pump and it still would not turn as it should, come to find out the steering gear box was bad. 1500 bucks to fix.

**2002ssslp** · 10-02-2012, 06:45 PM

I thought 2002 F-Bodies used a seperate cooler that did not allow the coolant and PS fluid to mix. Am I wrong ?

**johnfin** · 10-03-2012, 06:29 AM

I wish it was separate and air cooled like most cars. It uses hot water to cool it, makes sense, not. 2002 has a cooler tube between the upper radiator hoses. Its a solid piece of metal so I am not sure what fails, maybe a crack?

**SMWS6TA** · 10-03-2012, 08:41 AM

What would it take to convert it over to a non cooler system like mine?

I have no PS cooler and haven't had any issues with heat.

**johnfin** · 10-03-2012, 09:05 AM

I would imagine a union between the hoses but if it had one leave it. If gm could save 10 cents they would.

**2002ssslp** · 10-03-2012, 09:57 AM

How about a bypass of the system and hook the hoses up to a regular PS cooler mounted in the grill area. I do not know how to sure up the radiator hose but it can't be that hard. Can it ????

**blackcar** · 10-03-2012, 10:17 AM

Only the SS's came with the cooler. The Z28's did not. I'm not sure why GM put a cooler on the SS's and not teh Z's, but if you won't to run with out a cooler you can buy the Z radiator hose and just bypass the cooler. But IMO I would buy a cheap air cooler and install it instead of bypassing.