PS Fluid Flush/Change

[F1reb1rd]

Hey guys, can anyone help me out here with an easy way to flush/fill the power steering resevoir/system, and/or a place that will do it and how much on average it would run?

Appreciate the help.

 

[Rockledge]

From SHOTimes:

1. Suck out most of the fluid in the PS reservoir. (I use an old battery filler that looks a little like a turkey baster)

2. Remove the return hose from the reservoir and plug with a two inch piece of rubber hose with a bolt threaded into the end of it.

3. Place a long hose (5 feet) using a union onto the return line and run it down into a large bucket.

4. Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid and have a gallon container of cheap PS fluid or cheap ATX fluid ready.

5. Assistant starts the engine and turns the wheels lock to lock (I have the front end jacked up when I do this) while you pour in the gallon of fluid to flush the system.

6. Stop engine and introduce synthetic PS fluid. Assistant runs engine just enough for you to add two quarts of synthetic fluid.

7. Bleed air from system after reconnecting return line with engine running, turning lock to lock.

8. Top off reservoir.

 

[SHOZ123]

The GEN 3s are very sensitive to air in the PS system and it is also very difficult to remove it if any gets into the rack. I would not remove the line and run the fluid out.

I would buy a gallon of good synthetic ATX fluid and drain and refill the PS reservoir over a 2 month period until the gallon is all used.

 

[Rockledge]

Actually, I've never tried this on a Gen III SHO, so I would defer to Paul's wisdom on this.

(FWIW, this procedure did work well on my Gen III ('97) SLO ).

 

[RoadSHO]

Flushed my system last summer using the proceudre at V8-SHO.com. Disconnect the fuel pump fuse and crank engine over to drain fluid while a 2nd person adds new fluid to reservoir. Power steering system requires a Mercon 5 auto. trans. fluid. The flush helped tighten and smooth the steering feel. My car had 80,000 miles on it when this was performed. Helped

 

[olympic]

I discovered a new method over on bobistheoilguy.com. Follow the procedure above, except don't run the engine to pump the fluid. Instead, leave the engine off and just turn the steering wheel. The hydraulics in the rack will pump the fluid through. Monitor the fluid level in the resevoir and don't let it suck air. Continue topping up/turning until your satisfied that the system is purged of old fluid.

I tried it on my Pontiac Vibe and it worked great! No air got into the system and the pump never ran dry.

 

[F1reb1rd]

Thanks for the help fellas, but so far I took Paul's idea.

 

[Mr. SHO]

Anyone care to elaborate on the MERCON V comment? I thought regular MERCON (like Mobil 1 ATF) was fine for our ZF PS system. :ruhroh: When I installed the Magnefine filter on the PS hose, I simultaneously drained about a pint of the PS fluid. Then I used my MityVac pump to drain the reservoir and I refilled with Mobil 1. That was a year and a half ago, so far no problems.

 

[SHOZ123]

Actually the spec calls for Mercon not Mercon V. I have used Amsoil and Mobil One ATX fluids.

From the '99 DVD......

Motorcraft MERCON Multi-Purpose (ATF) Transmission Fluid
Part # XT-2-QDX
Ford spec MERCON

 

[Mr. SHO]

WHEW! I thought I did something very bad... I feel better now!