2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Power Steering Fluid Change?

[jrandol]

My truck just broke 19k miles, the dealershpi last week said at 15k I should have done a Power Steering and Brake Fluid Change. Is this bogus or legit?

 

[Whitmore]

I aint messed with the brake fluid yet but at 40k I should, the ps fluid I changed to synthetic when nearly new, sounds alot better in the cold mornings , not neer the GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR out of it



cheers,, Kevin

 

[illflem]

Sounds like a scam, if you do it ask how much they want first.

My bet is they'll say something like $200.

Not positive on a '02 but on earlier models there is no factory recommended change interval for brake and steering fluid. Doesn't mean you shouldn't do it but 50k or even more is a safe interval.

 

[John Berger]

Until I got this truck I never did routine fluid changes on PS units or brakes. I replace the PS and brake fluid once a year.

 

[RHoblitt]

Brake fluid draws moisture so i change it once a year. I draw out the old fluid and refill the resivoir and have never had a problem yet with any air getting in the system. I know i leave some old fluid but its better than doing nothing and it looks clean after a few days of driving. Also changed to valvoline sny, steering fluid. That really helped, made the steering feel smoother. Richard

 

[Fireman Dave]

Same as Richard for me. Both of these changes are easy to do and pretty cheap. Sure doesn't hurt, and I think they're both a good idea for regular maintenance.

 

[Cobra]

fluid changes

RHoblitt,

I know how to change the brake fluid but how do you go about changing the PS?

 

[Fireman Dave]

Cobra,



I used the turkey baster method. Sucked out as much as possible and replaced with new. Did this a couple of times after driving to try to cycle out as much of the old as possible.



Dave

 

[CUMAPART]

Cracks me up!!!:-laf They say that you have to change your PS and brake fluid but my NV5600 has a lifetime lube in it and all my links up front are greased for life... ... I think they want your money tell'em to pound sand.

 

[Loren]

As Richard said, brake fluid draws moisture from the air. That moisture will corrode (rust) your steel brake parts, including the steel tubes. It takes a long time, but it's not a good thing. I just replaced a brake line on my old Toyota because it sprang a leak. I bought it well used and the brake fluid probably had never been replaced until I got it. Too late!



BMW motorcycles have a maintenance schedule for replacing brake fluid. It's realatively cheap, and easy to replace. I do it. You should too.



I have never changed power steering fluid, but I think I should. The reason I haven't is because it's difficult to do. The turkey baster method will only change a small amount, so you really never change it. But... It's better than doing nothing. I'll probably get around to it this summer.

 

[RHoblitt]

I use a hand pump on the power steering fluid and get about one pint out and fill it up and drive it for a couple of hours and do it again. Its clean after three times doing this and i can do it with one large bottle of valvolene sny, power steering fluid for a cost of under 5 dollars and it steers so much better with the synthetic fluid. very smooth. I can't wait to get the steering brace and put that on. Should drive like new.

 

[johnrv4]

I used the turkey baster method

I used the turkey baster method and after three drains/fill ups, the fluid seems to be replaced. One hint if you're going to use the turkey baster- get one with a strong bulb on it. The cheapo one I used would suck the fluid half way up the tube and quit(bulb wasn't strong enough to fully expand and pull the fluid up). I think I should have gotten a little better one that would have had a strong enough bulb to pull more fluid in with each squeeze of the bulb . As far as the brake fluid change goes, I siphoned all the fluid I could out of the reservoir, cleaned it out, and filled with fresh fluid. Then, I attached a piece of clear Tygon tubing to the bleeder at each wheel. I opened the bleeders(one at a time) until the clear, fresh fluid gravity bled out. I did this at each wheel, and ended up using a little over a quart of brake fluid(cheap maintenance).

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Article was submitted last month for the next issue of TDR

 

[dremelts]

Originally posted by RHoblitt

I draw out the old fluid and refill the resivoir and have never had a problem yet with any air getting in the system. Richard

Richard,



How do you "draw out" the old fluid. Do you use something like a Mity-Vac on each brake bleeder? If so, which order do you do the wheels - starting with the one closest to the master cylinder?

 

[John Berger]

For the brakes I use the wife and tube method. I attach the tube at each bleeder screw and she pumps the brakes until I see clear fluid, then I bleed the line. I start at the passenger side rear, go to the driver side rear, then to the passenger side front and lastly, the driver side front. I usually only use a quart to a quart and a half of brake fluid. This is cheap maintenance. I use the turkey baster method to evacuate as much of the fluid as possible. I do this two or three times over the course of a couple of days.

 

[grtescpa]

Originally posted by jrandol

My truck just broke 19k miles, the dealershpi last week said at 15k I should have done a Power Steering and Brake Fluid Change. Is this bogus or legit?

Any fluid that can get air born dirt into it has to be changed. The power steering does not hold very much fluid. I change mine every 10 - 15 k just because thats when it starts to look dirty to me. I don't care what anybody says, it can't hurt to keep it clean! spend a dollar or two on fresh oil or a hundred or so on new seals pump and gear boxes. Which do you prefer?