How do you drain PS fluid?

[SamMan23]

I haven't read any threads on how to change the PS fluid besides just the turkey baster method.

How do you change out PS fluid? Drain it? or flush it?

flush seems to encourage the possibility of running the pump dry.

Maybe just turn the wheel while the engine is not running to release some fluid?

 

[cryptokid]

you stick the pumps intake hose into a gallon of atf and stick the output hose comming out of the rack into a waste oil container.

you start the car and turn thr steering from left to right untill the ps fluid comming out is the same colour as it is going in.

 

[MolaKule]

You have two choices:

1. The HARD way - disconnect hose(es) and drain all fluid while spilling all it over the place because there are so many baffles and "run-down" spots near the PS pump. Use a whole roll of little blue paper towels to wipe it off everything. Reconnect hoses, refill, and start up engine and watch fluid smoke off exhaust manifolds.

2. The EASIER way - remove fluid by Turkey baster and replace about 1/2 pint each time about once a week until the fluid stays red or clear.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

quote:

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Originally posted by MolaKule:

2. The EASIER way - remove fluid by Turkey baster and replace about 1/2 pint each time about once a week until the fluid stays red or clear.

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An old windshield washer pump works great as well, if you have one lying around.

 

[Kestas]

If you want to flush the fluid out, here's how I do it. You'll need a helper. The steps are rather simple.

1. Lift front tires off the ground.
2. Disconnect the ps return line, drain ps reservoir.
3. Plug open connection at the reservoir.
4. Secure the return line to a generously-sized container (at least one gallon). If needed, add a length of hose.
5. Fill reservoir.
6. Line up your bottles of new fluid for quick pouring.

Here comes the fun part...

7. Have helper turn car on, and immediately have him go through full range of steering motion (left and right) and shut off car, all the while you are trying to keep the reservoir filled.
8. Button everything back up.
9. Clean up mess.
10. Top off fluid.

The front tires must be off the ground so the system is unloaded, otherwise a lot of fluid is forcefully pumped out. The return line must be secured to the receptacle to prevent a big mess. Keep at least a gallon of ps fluid on hand. The helper must know what they are doing.

I strongly recommend using power steering fluid rather than the Dexron stuff that is probably recommended for your vehicle. Modern Dexron formulations are different than the Dexron formulations present at the time when your car was built. Power steering fluid is the same as Dexron, but without the additives that may be harmful to the steering system.

 

[widman]

I normally have used the engine running pumping out while filling from the top, but next time will try the suction too.
But there are no additives in the new Dexron III fluids that can dammage power steering pumps. They have more elastomer compatibility tests than most fluids.

 

[brianl703]

quote:

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Originally posted by widman:
But there are no additives in the new Dexron III fluids that can dammage power steering pumps

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I hope not..Ford still recommends it for power steering since 1997...and I've used it in prior year Ford power steering systems with no ill effects at all...

 

[mechtech]

You can also remove the drive belt, and spin the pump by hand, while your pressure hose is directed to a refuse container.
A pump can run dry in a split second if the car is running and you are pumping fluid out. It's really hard to control, and you can do damage.
My personal cars get the turkey baster routine, BTW. I don't get points for doing it the hard way.

 

[Matt_S]

The last time I did this, I used my homemade fluid vaccuum. One of the guys on CarTalk first described this to me and I'm eternally grateful for it. It's one of the most useful tools I have.

Take an old drywall bucket, or any good sized bucket with a lid, and cut two holes in the top. One hole is for a long section of clear tubing; the other is for the suction hose of your shop vac. Insert one end of the clear tubing all the way down into the bucket and the other end into whatever you're trying to drain, then insert the shop vac hose just barely into the other hole and turn on the vaccuum.

This is much better than the turkey baster method, IMO.

 

[Kestas]

I made a hookah with clear plastic tubing, old jar and copper plumbing that I think is easier to use. It is small, hand-held, mouth-operated, quiet, and can be used anywhere you need to suck out fluid such as the master cylinder, ps reservoir, or wheel caliper bleeders.

 

[olympic]

I used to run the engine with the return line disconnected to flush the system, but I didn't like running the pump dry or hearing the pump whine afterwards due to air in the system.

So now I just jack up the car and turn the wheels lock to lock(engine off) and the rack and pinion pumps the oil through the system and out the disconnected return line. It works like a charm and no air gets into the pump as long as you keep the resevoir from running empty.