power steering fluid

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jayno20

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Indiana, PA
Im not sure if this is the right place to put this, but i want to flush my power steering fluid and add something that will be good for it my car is at 90k (chrysler sebring) and i dont think its ever been changed, but how exactly do u flush it out? and whats a good brand fluid to replace it with? and should i run anything thru it first?
 
I used a turkey baster to suck most of it out in my Jeep. Then I used some valvoline maxlife power steering fluid. It helps prevent leaks in older units. It is chrysler approved I believe. If you disconnect the lines, you will introduce air into the system, and that air will need to be purged. The turkey baster method works well, just repeat every so often and you should be good to go.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jeepster_nut:
......If you disconnect the lines, you will introduce air into the system, and that air will need to be purged. ......
Click to expand...
Power steering systems are not critical like brake systems if air is introduced. Purging air in a power steering system just consists turning the wheel max limts back and forth a few times and the power steering sytem will "burp" itself. Follow up by checking levels and top off as needed.

Hootbro
 
Turkey baster method is good. You may have to repeat the procedure several times.

I prefer Chevron ATFs in the PS hole. They should make one that meets this car's specs.
 
yeah the turkey baster sounds like the way to go to me (i dont really want to get into disconnecting lines cause its pretty tight in my engine bay) so i just drain all i can out with that and add some valvoline then run that for a while and drain it again and add more, and then repeat? eventually i'll get it all.. correct? and what type of fluid would be BEST to use, is that valvoline the best stuff for ps fluid?
 
Check your owners manual. Some spec Dexron ATF, some spec Type F ATF. I have no experience w/ Mopar fluid specs. It may spec automatic transmission fluid.

"Best" means different things to different people. "Best" fluid would likely be M1 ATF, if it meets your spec. I think it's around $6-$7 per quart at walmart.

I like Chevron fluids. I use Chevron Dexron III/Mercon in my PS applications.

With the turkey baster method, you eventually get 99% of the old fluid out. This method is fine to use.
 
Basically, I would siphon some out with the turkey baster every oil change for a few oil change intervals. The bottle will say if it is right for your car. The owners manual will also have some input for you. The Valvoline Maxlife PS fluid link:

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=74

Keep a small bowl near the PS pump so when you pull the baster out you can squirt it onto the bowl. Also put some rags around the work area to keep it from dripping on your belts, etc.
 
i got some BG power steering fluid that i was recommended to get by my mechanic, i've read good things about BG anyone have anything to say about their ps fluid?
 
i also cant find my return hose on my sebring, i see 2 hoses, but which one is the return line? anyone know?
 
ok well i ended up pulling off the botom hose and then started it covering the wrong hose and fluid went everywhere..., drained it completely and then filled it with BG ps fluid, then cleaned off the crap that flew everywhere.. smells bad burning off my engine, but it should be gone in a few days, the fluid that came out was pretty dirty looking
 
yeah the top line looks thicker cause it has a rubber sleeve on it and under the sleeve its metal, which from what rockford just said it must be the pressure line, the bottom one was all rubber and the only one i could get off so i tried it and it was the return line.. got it all over my engine tho, that isnt a problem is it? i got most of it off, but i dont want it catching fire or anything..
 
I can see what you are all trying to do here, but forgive me for asking this: Anyone tried to flush the power steering the old way where you disconnect the return line, jack up the car, take old fluid out of the reservoir, add new fluid, stick the return hose to a collection bottle and turn the wheels to left lock position then right lock position and then back to straight. This should indeed push the fluid out of the actual steering assembly. My understanding is that when you do not turn the wheels either way trying to flush the fluid, the valve on the steering assembly does not open and thus the fluid is re-circulated, but when you turn the steering wheel from lock to lock the valve opens allowing fresh fluid to enter thus assisting in steering . So obviously the procedure will take more time, will give you a good workout but by pushing the fluid out slowly one turn at a time there will be no spills. I will be trying this procedure on my next fluid change and I will report back the results.
 
I have done it that way^^^. Very little mess, and no running around trying to fill the reservoir or shut the vehicle off.

I backed my first car, a 1970 Grand Prix, out of the garage once with trans cooler lines unhooked. The hood was off, and an arc of fluid shot out like something from a horror movie. I think P/S makes more pressure, so I've always been hesitant to run an engine with P/S hoses unhooked.
 
yeah it makes quite a bit of pressure, i started the car for literally a second and all the fluid (bout a quart and a half) squirted out, made quite the mess... thats why i wanted to know if it was flamable cause a decent amount got on the engine.. but none the less i have new power steering fluid now... but is it flamable?
 
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