power steering fluid

[MetalSlug]

I dont think my power steering fluid, have been change before, nothing wrong or noise on power steering. But I rather change the fluid, cause I alway skip this step when im doing tune up.

1: What kind of power steering fluid for my 97 camaro z28
2: How can I tell if my power steering fluid need to be change ?
3: What an easy way to change the fluid without dis connect anything.
4: how often I need to change the fluid ?

thank you !

 

[nwjones18]

I may catch some flack, but I never change power steering fluid unless I have to replace a pump. Only way to change it without unhooking anything is to suck it out with a turkey baster. The best way to to a total change is to unhook the return line and cap the connection on the pump then turn the engine over while pouring fresh fluid in until clear fluid comes out of the return line. I just use whatever is cheapest at the parts store. If you drive a ford they use to recomment ATF. Not sure if they still do.

 

[Boomer]

GM cars typically use PS fluid available at any parts store. I have always used the turkey baster method from when the car is new and do it every time I change the oil. I have noticed that the original GM fluid seems to turn black rapidly. I believe that it picks up carbon from the rubber hoses. Aftermarket fluids do not seem to do this nearly as much if at all.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
GM cars typically use PS fluid available at any parts store. I have always used the turkey baster method from when the car is new and do it every time I change the oil. I have noticed that the original GM fluid seems to turn black rapidly. I believe that it picks up carbon from the rubber hoses. Aftermarket fluids do not seem to do this nearly as much if at all.


how much I have to suck it out ? I think mine is using ATF mercon/dex

 

[rslifkin]

To suck it out of the reservoir, simply suck until there's nothing left, then refill. On my Jeep, it's about 8 ounces.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
To suck it out of the reservoir, simply suck until there's nothing left, then refill. On my Jeep, it's about 8 ounces.


Thank you, I will do that this weekent.

 

[OVERKILL]

A "flush" is better than the Turkey baster method, at least in my experience having tried both.

1. Position a bucket or something similar underneath the reservoir. Remove the return line from the bottom and dump the contents of the reservoir into the bucket.

2. Use a piece of line with a bolt in it (I use an old Ford vacuum line cap-off) to block the return line hole in the reservoir.

3. Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid.

4. Position the return line in a bucket with enough space to handle a litre or two.

5.

A) Two person method: Have somebody start the engine and work the wheel back and forth as you dump fresh fluid into the reservoir. Do this until the fluid entering your bucket turns into the new fluid (you can tell by colour), this does NOT take long.

B) One person method: Pull the fuel pump fuse and roll the engine over while adding fluid to the reservoir and observing the colour of the old fluid entering the bucket. When the old fluid turns to new, you are done.

6. Re-attached return line. Fill reservoir up to the correct level.

7. Start engine, work wheel back and forth to get any air out that might have entered the system.

8. Shut engine off, observe level is still where it should be. If not, add more fluid.

And you are done!

 

[mechtech2]

With a turkey baster change, you need to perform several changes. Start the car in between to circulate the fluid.
But it is easy. No parts to take off, strip, round off, leak, break, etc..
And no mess at all unless you are a bit clumsy.
3-4 times is a good start. But remember to start her up and move the steering wheel around in between.
Simply suck out as much as you can, then refill it.
Perfect? No. But neither is any other method.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
With a turkey baster change, you need to perform several changes. Start the car in between to circulate the fluid.
But it is easy. No parts to take off, strip, round off, leak, break, etc..
And no mess at all unless you are a bit clumsy.
3-4 times is a good start. But remember to start her up and move the steering wheel around in between.
Simply suck out as much as you can, then refill it.
Perfect? No. But neither is any other method.


I imagine it varies between vehicles.

On any of my Ford products, there is just a single spring clip holding the return line on. On the Expedition, Lincoln or Mustang, a margarine container readily fits beneath the reservoir and makes it a breeze.

 

[MetalSlug]

I just got off work early today, I took off one of those old bottle spray, and stick it in the reservoir and pump it out, man the fluid is dark, i pump until the reservoir is empty and fill up, imma drive it until this weekent then do full flush. Thanks for every one comment.

I read the manual and it say dont touch the fluid unless it leak or noise, its good to keep power steering fluid clean and clear right ? by flush one in a while right ?

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

It sounds like you did almost what I was going to suggest. I empty my P/S reservoir with a pump that fits on a quart oil bottle (I got it from Autozone to fill a leaky manual trans with ATF.) There's a long output hose that I put into an empty oil bottle. A turkey baster made a mess, at least the cheap one I tried.

 

[dailydriver]

Yes, our GM manuals tend to call waaaayyy too many fluids "lifetime fills", when such a thing just DOES NOT exist!! (Even if the factory fill was a synthetic fluid.

)

I guess they were trying to appease and lure the 'no maintenence/no service/no care' crowds out of their import nameplates with this practice? (Even though, sadly, it did not work

)

 

[MetalSlug]

yub, my mom bmw call life time on transmission and rear end, I change it out after 100k anyway.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I have also flushed my system without actually running the engine this way:

1) Pump out the reservoir.

2) Unhook return line at the reservoir and plug reservoir fitting. Put the end of the return hose into an empty container.

3) Jack the front end up until the tires just come off the ground.

4) Fill the reservoir with power steering fluid.

5) Turn the steering wheel all the way to one lock, and then check/top off the fluid. Then turn to the other lock and fill again. Keep doing this until you have flushed about 2 quarts through. Keep topping off so you don't pump air into the system.

6) With the reservoir empty the last time, connect the return line. (I forgot once and had to connect the line with a full reservoir.)

7) Lower the car and fill with fluid. Start the engine and turn the wheel lock-to-lock to work out any air.

I can imagine taking a bath in fluid trying to flush with the engine on.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic
I have also flushed my system without actually running the engine this way:

1) Pump out the reservoir.

2) Unhook return line at the reservoir and plug reservoir fitting. Put the end of the return hose into an empty container.

3) Jack the front end up until the tires just come off the ground.

4) Fill the reservoir with power steering fluid.

5) Turn the steering wheel all the way to one lock, and then check/top off the fluid. Then turn to the other lock and fill again. Keep doing this until you have flushed about 2 quarts through. Keep topping off so you don't pump air into the system.

6) With the reservoir empty the last time, connect the return line. (I forgot once and had to connect the line with a full reservoir.)

7) Lower the car and fill with fluid. Start the engine and turn the wheel lock-to-lock to work out any air.

I can imagine taking a bath in fluid trying to flush with the engine on.


good write up, how often the flush need to be done ?

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

I would only be guessing if I gave you a number. I flushed my Silverado with GM synthetic fluid around 40,000 and it's past 80 now.

Fluid life probably depends a lot on how you drive and whether you have a p/s cooler. If yours has never been changed in 13 years, I can't imagine it needs frequent flushes. The change you just did is more than most cars ever get.

 

[MetalSlug]

Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic
I would only be guessing if I gave you a number. I flushed my Silverado with GM synthetic fluid around 40,000 and it's past 80 now.

Fluid life probably depends a lot on how you drive and whether you have a p/s cooler. If yours has never been changed in 13 years, I can't imagine it needs frequent flushes. The change you just did is more than most cars ever get.


something you say made me happy lol. Mabe pump out every oil change 5k should be enought, since the fluid is cheap and easy to pump it out.

 

[tig1]

I do the turkey baster thing with the PS fluid every engine oil change(also brake fluid). I've been doing that for many years with M1 ATF and have never had a PS pump fail.

 

[bcossa2001]

96 Honda Accord EX
One line goes from the bottom of the reservoir to the PS pump.
The other line goes from about 1/3 from the bottom of the reservoir to the radiator.

Which is the return line??

 

[OVERKILL]

The one that doesn't go to the PS pump.