PS flush

[Prairie Dog]

So with 102K I figure it's time to replace the power steering fluid,
I'm thinking I'll try to suction everything I can out, refill it and then run it with the return line going to a jug. Then watch for the color to change. OR,
does it hurt it to run it just to the point of sucking air and then shutting down? I'm think of draining the resevoir and then refilling with new fluid. Running until it start to suck air.
Any idea how much fluid I should have on hand to make sure it's flushed?

 

[Bob4x4]

Too risky to run it with a line off,the fluid volume is low and it flows quite fast

 

[Prairie Dog]

Too risky to run it with a line off,the fluid volume is low and it flows quite fast

How to change it then?

 

[TWebster]

There is a procedure in the fsm, suck out the reservoir and fill with new, pull the return line start the engine,dump to jug. it cautions not to suck air, refill and run until new fluid appears, reconnect return line, fill reservoir to proper level. I did this on my gas engine truck several years ago, took 2 people to get it done right. Still have the replacement fluid in the system and working fine with 232K on the clock.
I'd recommend checking out the procedure in the fsm in case I forgot something here.

 

[BigPapa]

BG Products offers a Power Steering System Flush:

https://www.bgprod.com/services/power-steering/

There's a button at the bottom of the page to find a dealer near you that can do it.

We do quite a few of them here at the school bus shop.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

In TDR Issue 40, p. 26 I discussed changing power steering fluid by sucking it from the reservoir, starting the engine to mix the new and old fluids, then repeating. I calculated the % new fluid vs. number of times this was done.

 

[The patriot]

I turkey baster my ps fluid and brake fluid out annually in both my truck and the wifes minivan. Each baster is marked and kept apart.
I've been refilling with valvoline synthetic ps fluid and valvoline dot 4 brake fluid and I'm happy with it.

 

[Wayne M.]

I just pop the cooler lines under the radiator. Let it drain and refill. It's the lowest point of the system, and it must be effective since I add enough to top off to satisfy me of a decent change out. I've done it 2x in 120k mi. Using ATF+4. Not a pump or box fail yet. I don't remember how much. I always have part of a case of +4 around. All my vehicles use it to some extent.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Any one know how much fluid the system holds?

 

[Prairie Dog]

I just pop the cooler lines under the radiator. Let it drain and refill. It's the lowest point of the system, and it must be effective since I add enough to top off to satisfy me of a decent change out. I've done it 2x in 120k mi. Using ATF+4. Not a pump or box fail yet. I don't remember how much. I always have part of a case of +4 around. All my vehicles use it to some extent.

When you drained the cooler, did the level in the resevoir go down as well?

 

[Wayne M.]

When you drained the cooler, did the level in the resevoir go down as well?

Yes. I filled a pan. And you're draining the whole cooler.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yes. I filled a pan. And you're draining the whole cooler.

Thanks Wayne, that sounds like the way to go.
Do you remember how much fluid you needed to top it off?

Scott

 

[BIGNASTY]

Get a hand suction pump stick it in the reservoir suck out all you can refill and do it several times turn the wheel lock to lock, that's how I've done it with 235K on the clock.