DIY: Stillen Power Steering Cooler

spearfish25

Well, I finally got it installed yesterday (JB1 also gave me a hand). It was a simple install as the Stillen kit is very complete. The toughest part is just removing the OEM hoses.

Stillen has decent instructions but crappy pics.

The steps:

1) Remove front fascia (undertray can stay if you want)

2) Unscrew stock steering cooler so it will hang down to make draining the system easier.

3) Remove one hose from the stock cooler and drain the fluid into a catch can.

4) Remove the second hose from the stock cooler, save or discard the stock cooler.

5) Looking at the front of the car, you'll see the stock steering hoses pass through a holder before turing toward the rear of the car. Remove the hose attached to the aluminum tubing at the bracket. The other hose passes through the bracket before connecting to aluminum tubing. You'll remove this hose where it first meets the aluminum tubing as well (but beyond the bracket). Once it's disconnected, slide it through the bracket to take it out.
***Detaching the wiper fluid reservoir is helpful for gaining access to the second hose end. Just undo the three mounting screws, slide it out of the filler neck, and zip tie it to a nearby hole to support it. You WON'T have to disconnect all the tubes/electronics to it.

6) Mount the Stillen steering cooler in the same location as the stock cooler. Assemble your fittings so you can measure hose lengths (hose supplied by Stillen).

7) Cut your two hose lengths. Lubricate the ends of the aluminum tubing and the cooler fittings. Slide the hoses onto the fittings and route the second hose through the holder bracket and onto the aluminum tubing.

8) Stillen only included two hose band clamps. Either purchase two more or use zip ties to hold the hoses in place. Don't crush the aluminum tubing!

9) Fill the steering reservoir with your new fluid (I went with Redline power steering fluid). You can fill it to the brim as the level will drop as you purge the system. It required just under one quart.

10) With the ignition 'ON' but the motor off, turn the wheel full lock left and right, holding at full lock on each side for 3-5 seconds. A second person is helpful to watch for bubbling (your'e purging the air and filling the cooler) and refill the fluid reservoir.

11) Once the bubbling stops and the level remains stable as you turn lock to lock, start the engine and repeat. If things remain quiet, bubble free, and the fluid level stable....you're done. Check for leaks!

Photos:
1. Hose run. Note the longer hose attaches to the stock aluminum tubing AFTER running through the anchoring bracket. Hose band clamps work best for securing the tubes.
2. The new cooler in place. Heater hose was placed over the one hose so it could be secured to the corner of the cooler without chaffing.

Attached Images

	Stillen PS Cooler 1.jpg (488.8 KB, 217 views)
	Stillen PS Cooler 2.jpg (655.0 KB, 207 views)

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2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z