By The ALLDATA Staff

Diagnosing an unfamiliar condition without OEM information can take time and cost your customers money. You may save both time and money by first consulting a vehicle manufacturer’s technical service bulletins (TSBs). When a fix for a known issue is already published, it’s a win-win for everyone. Here’s an excerpt from a TSB issued by Chrysler dealing with a steering problem on certain 2009 Chrysler^® and Dodge^® vehicles.

Condition
After completing a turn, a customer may experience a steering wheel that does not return to center on its own. If you verify that the condition exists, perform this repair procedure, which involves installing an external power steering cooler and replacing both power steering return lines.

Models
All 2009 Chrysler and Dodge LC & LX vehicles: 300/300C^®, Charger^®, Charger SRT^®, Challenger^®, Challenger SRT^®
 

Required Parts 

Required Special Tools 

Repair Procedure – Enhance Power Steering Cooler

1. Remove the Front Fascia.
2. If this vehicle is:
   1. LC proceed to Step # 3
   2. LX proceed to Step # 4
3. Remove the Front Air Dam.
4. Remove the Belly Pan.
5. Remove the left and right cooler baffles (Figure 1).
   NOTE: LX vehicles only.
   
   NOTE: In the following step do not remove any air conditioning hoses.
6. Remove (4) Condenser mount screws and tilt the assembly forward.
7. Remove the power steering return line hose and cooler clamp from the cooler.
8. Loosen the return line nut at the power steering rack.

9. Is this vehicle a SRT?

   1. Yes >> Proceed to Step #11.

   2. No >> Proceed to and skip Step #11.

10. For all models except SRT: Using both cooler mounting clips, center the new power steering cooler (05137721AA) and mount between fins 6 and 7 from the top of the condenser edge (Figure 2).
    NOTE: All models except SRT.
    
    
     

11. For SRT vehicles only: Using both cooler mounting clips, center the new power steering cooler (6801 7995AA) and mount between fins 11 and 12 from the top of the condenser edge (Figure 3).
    NOTE: SRT only
    

12. Reinstall all (4) mounting screws for the cooler.
    NOTE: Verify the machine screw is used on the aluminum A/C block on the top right, SRT models do not apply.

13. Remove the Air Box.

14. Siphon power steering fluid from pump reservoir.

15. Remove the power steering return hose connected to the steering reservoir and using a safety regulated rubber tipped blow gun, extract the remaining power steering fluid in the tri-cooler at 5 psi (Figure 4).
    

16. Remove the return hose from the cooler and discard.

17. Install new cooler to reservoir hose.
    NOTE: Keep the black inlet and outlet protective boots from the cooler they will be used in Step #19.

18. Install new power steering gear to cooler hose.

19. Install the black protective boots on the old inlet and outlet ports of the power steering cooler and secure them with zip ties as shown in (Figure 5).

20. Bleed and fill power steering system as required. 

21. For LX vehicles only: Re-install the cooler baffles on the left and right side (Figure 1).

22. For LC vehicles only: Install the Front Air Dam.

23. Install the Front Fascia.

24. Install the Belly pan.

25. Drive the vehicle to verify the repair.

    NOTE: Follow OE information or standard practices for all procedures and sub-procedures.

    NOTE: This Repair/Service Procedure is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It is recommended that this procedure not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.”

    Edited by ALLDATA’s staff of automotive repair experts.
     
    ©2014 ALLDATA LLC. All rights reserved. All technical information, images and specifications are from ALLDATA Repair. ALLDATA and ALLDATA Repair are registered trademarks of ALLDATA LLC. All other brand names and marks are the property of their respective holders.
     
    Chrysler, Dodge, Chrysler 300/300C, Charger, Charger SRT, Challenger and Challenger SRT are registered trademarks of Chrysler Group LLC. All trademark names and model designations are being used solely for reference and application purposes.