Flushing power steering fluid

[Blast7]

I am going to be flushing my power steering fluid and am not sure of the correct procedure. I do have a leak at the hose where the metal clamp is. I plan on replacing that seal and at the same time doing the flush. I've had synthetic powersteering fluid recommended for me to use but isn't there a good chance that the other seal(s) will leak due to the thinner more slippery consistency?

 

[SHOZ123]

Pretty easy to do. It can be a bit messy. Just take the hose that goes from the cooler to the PS reservoir and put it in a bucket. Disable the ignition and while someone cranks the motor pour in the fluid.

A better but slower way is to drain the reservoir and refill with clean fluid. Keep doing this every week until the fluid stays clean. Use a white napkin to put a drop of fluid on to see how clean it is.

 

[smcallis]

Yeah, second on the messy part. If you can get the hose in a bottle or something that would be good. The pump pushes the fluid out rather forcefully. Plus when you get to the end there is air mixed in so it really spits.

 

[RI-SHO]

I plan on doing the same this week, is there any other better stuff out there, other than ATX fluid and isnt sythentic?

 

[projectSHO89]

ATX fluid is the prescribed fluid. Check your owner's manual.

FWIW, I'm running Mobil 1 synthetic in mine, no real difference from running the Type F that is supposed to tbe there.

Steve

 

[sdpatt]

Don't let the pump suck air from a dry reservoir. Bad for the pump. ATF is the recommended fluid, but power steering fluid can better handle the pressures in the steering system. If the hose is leaking, replace the hose. Synthetic fluid may find more places to leak and the seals in the rack and pump were designed for ATF type fluids.

 

[Tommy's SHO]

Should we refill it Dextron/Mercon ATF or Type F ATF fluid?

 

[LaTechSHO]

for what its worth... the ford dealer here says ford sent a memo down that from henceforth they are to replace atf type F in thier powersteering systems with mercon..... don't know if thats smoke being blown up the a$$ or not... just what the local ford guy says....

Louis

 

[Tommy's SHO]

lb-sho:
for what its worth... the ford dealer here says ford sent a memo down that from henceforth they are to replace atf type F in thier powersteering systems with mercon..... don't know if thats smoke being blown up the a$$ or not... just what the local ford guy says....

Louis

Is this true?

 

[pjtoledo]

I'll leave the choice of fluids up to you, here is how I flush the PS system. Get an assistant, about a gallon of fluid, and a couple of gallon milk jugs to catch the old stuff. Put the front wheels on some ice or greased metal or something. Remove the return line from the reservoir, plug that port on the reservoir. It's the small hose. Then extend the removed line to your catch container. Start the car and turn the wheel side to side, filling the reservoir as the pump sucks the fluid down. The assistant will have to shut the car off quickly as the catch jug fills, or if you can't pour new fluid in fast enough. This will circulate new fliud throughout the system, it's easy to see when the clean stuff starts coming out. The old stuff may be foamy, and will take up twice as much volume as the new stuff. It comes out real fast, easy to make a big mess. Don't worry about small amounts of air, the bubbles will be released when they pass through the reservoir. Just turn the wheels a few times to circulate them out.

Perry Toledo,Ohio

<small>[ January 31, 2003, 09:27 PM: Message edited by: pjtoledo ]</small>