Question on Power steering fluid?

[Pit Bull]

Does the Power Steering fluid need to be changed? If so how is it done? At what mileage? Not in owners manual but I don't want to over look any neccessary maintance

 

[LSMITH]

B T, a lot of us have changed the power steering fluid in our trucks to a synthetic for less pump noise in cold weather, and it should help the pump live longer. The easy way to do it is to get a turkey baster and suck the fluid up into it, then pump it out into a can. You will make less of a mess if you put the can on the frame rail down by the pump. Suck out all of the fluid you can, and refill. I used the Valvoline Synpower. Do it about three times over a month and you will get a virtual 100% fluid change. Hope this helps.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by LSMITH

B T, a lot of us have changed the power steering fluid in our trucks to a synthetic for less pump noise in cold weather, and it should help the pump live longer. The easy way to do it is to get a turkey baster and suck the fluid up into it, then pump it out into a can. You will make less of a mess if you put the can on the frame rail down by the pump. Suck out all of the fluid you can, and refill. I used the Valvoline Synpower. Do it about three times over a month and you will get a virtual 100% fluid change. Hope this helps.

Thanks, sounds easy I will give it a try. By the way how does this affect the taste of your next turkey dinner?

 

[chuck3]

Beware

I changed mine to the Valvoline Syn. last summer, I sucked it out like LSMITH with the baster, the problem I had was after it was replaced the pump would not work for awhile afterwards, scared the heck out me, had no brakes and could not turn the wheel. Shut it down and restarted and it started working, no problems since. If I do it again I think I would leave a little in the box. LSMITH did you have this happen to you?

 

[illflem]

I haven't noticed much change in the taste of the turkey after using the baster to change fluid. It does seem to digest better though, sort of slips right on though.

 

[LSMITH]

No, that has not happened to me on this truck, but has on other vehicles. What you describe is an airlock in the pump. If this does happen to you shut the engine off as the pump is basically running dry. If it still doesn't work after a second start I would shut it off, jack up the front and turn the wheels back and forth once with the engine off, it should force the air bubble out. Start it again and you should be in business. Airlock in the pump should be really rare after a suction fluid change, guess we are just the "lucky" types chuck3

 

[Cooker]

I was trying to loosen the line on the bottom of the PS pump to drain the fluid out. I couldn't get it loose and with a fear of breaking it, I will try the turkey baster method myself. I would still prefer to drain it though.



How much of the total do you think you are able to remove with the turkey baster method.



Thanks.

 

[illflem]

Ryan, with the baster you will be able to remove almost as much fluid as removing the line. There will always be more fluid in the system unless you run it dry, front jacked while turning the wheels back and forth. Not a good idea.

 

[Cooker]

Thanks Bill. I bought the fluid some time ago, but its been sitting on the shelf because I couldn't get the line off. It looks like it will finally make its way to the truck. The turkey baster method sounds much easier and cleaner too.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I flushed my system by disconnecting the return line to the pump. It was VERY stuck on, so I cut a slit in it from the end of the rubber hose to the bulg in the metal piece. Then used a screwdriver to pry the hose off. I flushed the gearbox first, then the brake booster. That is the only way to get most of the fluid out. The resivoir only holds a small portion of the fluid. I just took off the hose, and basically ran it dry then added more fluid and did it one more time. This might be dangerous if it took more than about 5 seconds, but that is all it took. Be sure to pump the brakes while flushing the booster.