Flushing Power Steering

[SyntheticShield]

Can anyone tell me the best way to flush a power steering system. I want to get all the old fluid out and replace it. As far as I know its never been done on my car and Ive never flushed a power steering system before. Its for a 2000 Ford Focus w/2.0L DOHC engine.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MolaKule]

Search and Ye Shall find:


http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=16;t=001620

 

[Whimsey]

I have a 1996 Contour with the same engine. I just started this past summer using the turkey baster method to change the original ps fluid. The factory fluid was still dark pink after 9 years. It calls for Type F ATF. That is what I used. It's cheap and easy to use the turkey baster method. I already changed 1 quart and will do a second one to insure that all the old fluid is gone or severely diluted. If you don't suck too much fluid out of the ps reservoir at one time then you don't have to worry about getting air in the system. Since I'm not using some expensive synthetic ps fluid that I don't want to be "diluted" with "left over ps fluid" I'll do the turkey baster method. To me everytime you open up a fitting or joint you expose yourself to potential future leaks if you don't have one. So if I can avoid doing so I will. This does not apply to changing regularly scheduled fluids.

Whimsey

 

[Big Jim]

Check your owner's manual to be sure but I think that your car calls for Mercon in the power steering. If you want a synthetic, Mobil 1 ATF meets Mercon specs. It works for me in my 98 Contour SVT. I also use the turkey baster method most of the time.

 

[SyntheticShield]

Thank you to everyone for their replies. I thought I had seen the turkey baster somewhere on here before but wasnt sure. However I want to go out and do it and get it over with. I wasnt sure if you could just disconnect the lines like you can with a tranny flush or not and I wanted to be sure before I started.

Big Jim, you are correct, it calls for a Mercon fluid in the power steering. Amsoil ATF meets the specs too so since I have some around I'll probably use it.

I have a small leak at the power steering pump so I figured that since I took the plunge on LC and FP that this would be an opportune time to get some Auto RX and slap it in there and let it do its job and then flush it out and add the Amsoil ATF in and be happy.

Again, thanks for everyones help, I appreciate it.

 

[Whimsey]

quote:

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Originally posted by Big Jim:
Check your owner's manual to be sure but I think that your car calls for Mercon in the power steering. If you want a synthetic, Mobil 1 ATF meets Mercon specs. It works for me in my 98 Contour SVT. I also use the turkey baster method most of the time.

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I checked the owner's manual over and over and it still says Type F ATF is to be used in the PS. The manual tranny uses Mercon. Either Ford changed the rack and pinion sometime after mine was made or using Mercon instead of Type F doesn't matter. HOWEVER, since I can easily get Type F I'll just stick with it. And hope that there really was Type F installed at the factory and I'm not messing up the R&P by using Type F as replacement fluid

.

Whimsey

 

[Nitrox]

I recently flushed the fluid in my PS system. I removed the serpentine belt, put the return hose into a bucket, turkey baster'd the old fluid from the reservoir, put in new stuff and turned the pulley by hand. I was able to keep an eye on the fluid level and replaced as needed. Once in a while I'd turn the steering wheel back and forth and I could see it would dislodge old fluid. Did everything a few times until I saw fresh fluid coming from the return hose. Reconnected the hose and topped off the fluid. I added a Magenfine type PS filter in the return line while I was at it.

 

[thunderchild]

I just changed my fluid today. Went to NAPA and got the "suction device" they sell. I removed all the fluid in the resivoir and refilled with Redline Synthetic P/S Fluid. I will drive it for a couple of days and then do the same thing again.

 

[97tbird]

quote:

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Originally posted by thunderchild:
I just changed my fluid today. Went to NAPA and got the "suction device" they sell. I removed all the fluid in the resivoir and refilled with Redline Synthetic P/S Fluid. I will drive it for a couple of days and then do the same thing again.

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Was it the "Balkamp suction gun"? I searched napa website and came up with that; costs $11.99 (for a 1-pint size). Is that the one you got?

Thanks.