power steering flush

[98SF19]

I did the ps flush today as described by Glen and Paul here:
http://v8sho.com/SHO/psflush.htm
I did a lite version of this a couple years ago but decided to do a thorough flush this time. But it didn't play out the way they describe.

I picked up some Trans Tune (by Seafoam) in the store a few weeks ago and finally got around to doing the flush. Put about a cup of it into the reservoir last night (took out as much from reservoir before) after changing oil, and after turning lock to lock about 15-20 times on jack stands, I drove it around the block. I noticed a difference already.

This morning I go out, jack it up, let it run for a while, turning lock to lock, car off. Open the lower connection by the cooler, drain out a bit; turned the key to "ON" and turned wheels lock to lock a few times to drain more fluid. Here's where things went differently:
I had mixed the second cup of the Trans Tune with about a gallon of generic ATF and was planning to pour it into the ps pump supply hose while no-start-cranking. I took the ps reservoir off completely (not a quick task) and also removed the fuel pump fuse (5th slot from left on top row when looking at power distribution box). So I had a funnel jammed into the large hose going to the ps pump and the wife cranked as I poured the ATF in. But the fluid level rose in the funnel and didn't draw into the pump. It did go down when she turned the wheels lock to lock, but the cranking didn't seem to pull it in, even though the belt was turning the ps pulley.

Should I have left the reservoir on while doing this? My thought was that the fluid would run down into the return hose (which I guess I could have plugged as Paul mentions in above link).

Either way, Mobil 1 synth ATF occupies my car's power steering system right now.

 

[GEN 3 SHO FAN]

I don't want to start this discussion in another direction but mine is due too and I'm wondering if it will be usefull to put the p/s filter from the 96-97 SLO (Vulcain only ?) on a SHO. I never saw a SHO with this filter but I checked the frame (on the front driver side of the subframe) and we have the holes for the supporting bracket for it. It's not difficult to find and to reuse (made from metal). I will be curious about an advice on this as I never saw a discussion on this.

Thanks,

 

[SHOZ123]

A good filter would be a Magnifine PS inline filter.

 

[GEN 3 SHO FAN]

Just to precise, thanks Paul.

http://magnefinefilters.com/Magnefine-3-8-Magnetic-Inline-Power-Steering-Filter-R038M-P.htm

 

[SHOZ123]

I've used one of these for years on my SHOs and now on my Hyundai Gen Coupe. Easy way to drain or flush the system too.

 

[GEN 3 SHO FAN]

Yes, it's why I talked about that here. If we cut the p/s line there beside the subframe, we have a better access to flush (1 bolt job, the hose collar) and it's placed on the lowest part of the return line (gravity will do the rest after jacking and turning the steering).

I consider this as a usefull maintenance upgrade as we have german direction on this car ($).

Sometime Ford have good ideas (rare) but don't use it... Maybe Hyundai have more brillant ideas...

 

[98SF19]

You hijacked my post - YOU BASTARDS!!
I was actually wondering why there was no p/s fluid filter on the SHO system. I did take the liberty of cutting out a hole in the splash shield to access the connection to the p/s cooler in the future (6"x3" +/-, hinged at the back line of the valence strip), but what you guys are talking about makes that obsolete it seems. FYI, when I removed my fluid (been in about 2-3 years) it was nice and red. Should it have been a little darker?
Steering feels great right now.

 

[SHOZ123]

If you are using a good synthetic fluid it probably will not need changed. I would suck out the reservoir one a year. Used Amsoil trans fluid. My Gen 2 I had the fluid was black. Obvious never changed, no history on the car.

 

[itwonder]

I use a reducing fitting on the end of the return line that points into the bucket. That reduces the flow rate and makes it much easier to keep up with pouring fresh fluid in the top. If you let the pump run dry, your flush can cause more problems than it solves. Depending on the vehicle, it may not work to spin the motor with the starter. I've run a Magnefine filter on the PS return line of my SHO for several years.