Maintenance for a hard working PS pump...

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01rangerxl

01rangerxl

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Though my truck is small, it is fairly long and the turning radius isn't that great. I avoid going to full lock, but it happens sometimes. Anyway, I want the PS pump to last a while. The truck has 60K on it and the fluid has never been completely changed. It has had the resivoir emptied and filled a couple times, and I plan to keep doing that. Will regular "turkey baster" changes be enough? I was considering changing it out completely with a synthetic, but I don't know if that would have any benefit or not. What do you guys think? Never had a problem with the PS...no noises or anything.

The manual calls for regular Mercon fluid BTW.

What's odd is that this truck doesn't have a PS fluid cooler. My previous Ranger and Explorer Sport, both with much shorter wheelbases and identical steering systems to this truck, had PS fluid coolers. Who knows why Ford does stuff like that.
 
Get some synthetic ATF (Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, etc.) and do the turkey baster method once a week until you've used 2 quarts. After that, do the turkey baster method once every 6 months. You could also add a Magnefine filter to one of the lines if you want to add more protection.
 
I would remove the low pressure line to the PS pump and do 2 drain/refills with fresh fluid.

I used this method on my old 5.0 Mustang
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I would remove the low pressure line to the PS pump and do 2 drain/refills with fresh fluid.

I used this method on my old 5.0 Mustang
agreed a flush is the only way.
 
Originally Posted By: ConfederateTyrant
Get some synthetic ATF (Mobil 1, Amsoil, Redline, etc.) and do the turkey baster method once a week until you've used 2 quarts. After that, do the turkey baster method once every 6 months. You could also add a Magnefine filter to one of the lines if you want to add more protection.


The filter should only be installed in the low pressure line. Its a good idea.
 
That's all I did with my Dad's 1998 Ranger 2.5L was a bunch of suck outs and refills of the PSF reservoir. It quieted it right down and stayed that way. I assume it was the OEM stuff in there still at ~8yrs/~80Kmi, it was black and stank. I used Valvoline Maxlife ATF (red bottle). This was about 2yrs ago.

Joel
 
The turkey baster method works great, but will use more fluid to get the system clean than a flush. It is a very clean and easy way to do it, and requires no removal of fittings . A good trade off.
PS systems can get HOT in the summer, and a full synthetic is best.
 
The 2002 would have had MerconV in the pump from the factory.

They used whatever mercon that they used in the transmission for that year.

Just buy whatever cheap merconV you can get, and use the turkey baster method.

A gallon of fluid is going to be plenty to flush the entire system.

That truck might even have a factory power steering cooler on it, I know my thunderbird did, and I think my f150 had one as well.
 
Originally Posted By: JustinH
The 2002 would have had MerconV in the pump from the factory.

They used whatever mercon that they used in the transmission for that year.

Just buy whatever cheap merconV you can get, and use the turkey baster method.

A gallon of fluid is going to be plenty to flush the entire system.

That truck might even have a factory power steering cooler on it, I know my thunderbird did, and I think my f150 had one as well.


I figured the factory fill was probably Mercon V, but the manual does say Mercon. Not that it matters, the last couple of turkey baster changes have been with Mercon V anyway. Oddly enough, while Mercon is listed as the PS fluid in the manual, Mercon V is listed as the transmission fluid. I don't know if it is just a typo or what.

This truck doesn't have a factory PS cooler. It certainly needs one more than my old Ranger (SWB) and Explorer Sport did, but both of them had them. I guess the trade off is that this truck has a large factory ATF cooler, even though it does not have the towing package or anything. My Explorer, with a larger 4.0L V6, 4WD, and a higher towing capacity didn't have a transmission cooler. Go figure.

All the input is appreciated by the way.
 
The life of a hydraulic system is related to both the operating temperature and the cleanliness of the fluid. If you're going to spend any effort to add a cooler, you should add a filter at the same time since the added effort is small. Use a generic remote filter base with a Purolator L30001 or Wix 51515 filter and your pump will last forever. Since both cooler and filter will be on the low-pressure return line, pretty much any cooler will work. A decent transmission cooler sounds perfect.

Asterix
 
You sure there's no cooler? On some Fords, like my '06 Mazda Tribute, the "cooler" is a 3' out and back loop of plain aluminum tubing up high in front of the radiator on the P/S return line. It's easy to miss if painted black.

FWIW...I did a 2 quart P/S baster change over a few weeks with M1 ATF. No more cold weather whine from the pump. I also installed a Magnefine on the return line when the truck was new and that was part of the 2 quart M1 change.

Drew
 
I'm positive. I looked all over for it. That's how I found the transmission cooler. My old 2001 Ranger and 1995 Explorer had their PS coolers mounted right in front of the steering rack.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew2000
You sure there's no cooler? On some Fords, like my '06 Mazda Tribute, the "cooler" is a 3' out and back loop of plain aluminum tubing up high in front of the radiator on the P/S return line. It's easy to miss if painted black.

FWIW...I did a 2 quart P/S baster change over a few weeks with M1 ATF. No more cold weather whine from the pump. I also installed a Magnefine on the return line when the truck was new and that was part of the 2 quart M1 change.

Drew


Yep, my track record with the M1 ATF has been the same. Gets rid of the whine.
 
I think M1 made my 06 Ranger whine but that was with a wix magnefine styled filter also. Some synchromax from RP really quieted it down and seemed to tightened it up. Running MercV in it right now. Not as quiet but it works.
 
Does Mobil 1 ATF work for a late model GM power steering system. I have done the turkey baster thing a few times and even added Lubegard PS treatment but my system is whining at 100K. What do you guys suggest? It's an 02' Buick Century by the way.
 
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