Tranny and Power Steering Fluid

[BlackIce]

Looking at my 'Rauder there doesn't seem to be much in the way of an external transmission or power steering cooler, unless they're hidden somewhere or built in to the radiator. This isn't so much an issue for the power steering but a large car like this with a 4R70W tranny absolutely NEEDS an external tranny cooler.

I have one of these coolers in my Mark VIII and it works great: http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=2&Product_Code=4739&Category_Code=tru-cool-hd&Product_Count=3

My questions are:

1) What do you guys/gals run for tranny coolers, if at all. Is there a factory cooler built into the radiator or a small external one elsewhere?

2) For flushing the power steering fluid, which line should I remove to drain the fluid? Is there an alternative way to flush the PS fluid on these cars?

Thanks,

-Dom

[RF Overlord]

This car has a combined transmission/power-steering cooler located between the A/C condenser and the radiator. An additional cooler, although certainly a good idea, is not necessary unless you drive like a maniac or have a power-adder.

For the power steering, the easiest thing to do is use a turkey baster to siphon the reservoir. Do this a few time in a row and then every time you change the oil.

[magindat]

I pull the tube that flows back to the power steering resevoir and couple to it and send it to a 5 gallon bucket while I pour in new fluid. Have done this twice. It's messy and use LOTS of fluid, but gets a good flush. I have my daughter start and stop the motor in short intervals. That stuff flows FAST!!!

For the trans, I installed a deep finned drainable pan. With this I can replace about half the fluid (roughly 6 quarts) whenever I like. The issue (based on what I've read) is baking the fluid which wears it out. Since I replace about 1/2 every 2nd oil change, I do not run this risk. Further, I use Redline ATF which is a very tough synthetic. Every time I drain, the fluid is clear pink and smells sweet. I believe that for me, this method will prolong the tranny life nearly indefinately.