Power Steering Fluid Replacement

[RoGuE]

One of the next steps on my maintenance schedule is the power steering fluid on my 2002 Suburban. It was last serviced at 60k miles and it has 103k miles now. I assume it is due for a change?

If so, what type of power steering fluid is good for this?

And what is the best method of changing it; draining it out through a line or sucking it out?

 

[S2500Dog]

GM Power Steering Fluid(GM Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent fluid. Basically you can use any Power Steering Fluid as Prestone, Castrol, STP or whatever you will find in auto stores. The best method for removing the fluid is to purchase a fluid pump extractor or a auto syringe which are usually located near the oil aisles at places like Pep Boys, Autozone, etc... Just ask around in these stores. Do not use use the turkey baster method as you will make alot of mess and waste time and energy doing it this way lol! Take care.

 

[Turk]

+1

I tried SynPower in my GMC PS unit and it growled right away.

Had to suck it out anf put in Prestone PS fluid. The growling stopped.

Hope that helps.

 

[Boomer]

I have used the Valvoline SynPower for years on all of my GM products with great results. No noise, smooth steering and I notice that the fluid stays clear or uncolored for a long time, unlike the FF stuff that turned black within 6 months. I am not sure if the SynPower is still available, however. I keep my own stock.

 

[ZZman]

Well the best would be to drain it out thru a line but many don't want that hassle. Using a suction pump or turkey baster and changing it out a few times would work well however.

Doesn't that use Dexron transmission fluid in the P.S?

 

[MaximaGuy]

The best way to change it is as follows,

1) Take off the return line and it will drain the reservior and point the return line to a bucket.
2) Raise the front of vehicle so that the front wheels are off the ground
3) Turn the ignition to ACC to power the pump (DONOT run the engine).
4) Do steering locks which will push out the fluid from the pump and rack via the return line. Do this till nothing comes off the return line, put back the return line to the reservior.
5) Fill the reservior with new ATF while doing steering locks, this will suck new AFT into the pump and rack. Do this until you don't have to fill the reserivor.

Now turn the engine ON and do steering locks (10 times, left and right) and push out the air from the system. Top it off, lower the vehicle and done!!!