Power steering fluid flush

[pitbull]

Anyone know if the power steering can be drained out fully and refilled, or if it requires a pressurized machine to push the fluid out? The fluid in my car is very dark and smelly, and the steering is hard.

 

[97SHOgt]

Mine was steering hard and I just took it to the Ford dealer and had them flush it all out. I was very happy with the results. One of the few things I'll go to the dealer for. I think it cost about $65 if I remember correctly. I really didn't want to deal with it myself. I believe you can flush it all out yourself though if you wanted too..

 

[SHOZ123]

The best way is to get a gallon of cheap ATX fluid and just drain the reservoir. Keep doing this till the fluid stays nice and pink.

Then do the same with a couple of quarts of the good stuff you intend to run in it all the time. Synthetic works best.

Then once a year drain the reservoir and top off.

If the current fluid is dark and gritty then changing the fluid will clean out the system and soon be dark again. Hence the frequent drainings and fillings.

 

[pitbull]

transmission fluid in the power steering system? are you sure?

 

[97SHOgt]

transmission fluid in the power steering system? are you sure?

I don't even know Paul, but from what I've seen on here, he seems to be the almighty of the GenIII crowd, so I'd say his word is good

 

[SHOZ123]

Yes Mercon III is the minimum recommended fluid. It's in your owners manual.

 

[Falls SHO 1]

I performed the flush just as explained on V8sho.com and then finally filled it with Aimsoil ATX fluid and I have been very happy with the results.

 

[SHOZ123]

I feel the key thing is how dirty is the existing fluid? A good way to check is with a white paper towel. Drop a single drop of the old fluid on it then look for the dark solids that fall out in a ring. Then drop a single drop of new fluid next to it. You will see just how dirty the fluid is.

If it is very dirty and dark colored the the interior of the PS system is coated with the same stuff. Due to the detergent effects of new ATX fluid this will come out and contaminate the new fluid quickly. So frequent reservoir changes are necessary until the fluid stays pink.

If the existing fluid is not that bad then just exchange the PS reservoir once a year with new fluid. Preferably a synthetic ATX fluid.

I should also add that the traditional method of dumping in new fluid while the engine is running and the cooler hose in a bucket is a complete waste of time and fluid. Due to the 2 gpm flow of the pump and the limited 2.5 pint capacity it only takes seconds to puke out the old stuff.

Better to just disconnect the hoses from the cooler, let the system gravity drain then pour in some new stuff to purge out as much as the old. Button it up and top off.

 

[Dinosauro]

Incomplete diagrams and the twisted maze of hoses behind the engine make it difficult to tell: Is the flow from the pump to the rack, and then to the cooler. or from the pump through the cooler to the rack ? Other than pulling the pressure hose off the rack (which appears to be impossible without disassembling half the car), is there a way to pressure flush the system ?

Thanks

Dinosauro

 

[SHOZ123]

A power flush of the PS system is a complete waste. There is only a pint or so of capacity and any "flushing" would be so fast the cleaning of carbon deposits on the hard surfaces of the PS system would hardly be in contact long enough to do any good.

Better to change out the reservoir with cheap ATX fluid using a turkey baster until it stays nice and red for a two week period. Then power flush with the final fluid of your choice.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Disconnect the PS cooler lines behind the bumper and let it drain. Reconnect hoses.

Then refill with fresh fluid.

Repeat until the reservoir stays a nice pink ATF color.

Correct?

 

[Dinosauro]

Thanks, guys !

Dino