Power Steering Flush

Flushed my power steering system today. Here's the easy way to do it.

1. Disconnect return line to reservoir. (Not the line that goes to the pump.)
2. Plug reservoir inlet and direct drain return line into a container. Fill reservoir with fresh fluid.
3. I used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.
4. Jack up front wheels off the ground.
5. Turn steering wheel (do NOT start engine) back and forth. This will pump ATF through the system. Refill reservoir as it drains.
6. After a quart I was getting clean ATF from the drain line so done.
7. Reconnect drain line and fill as necessary.

 

if you do this every so often, it should limit wear on the steering system.
unfortunately this is something most people don't do, until either the pump or rack goes bad.

 

What's the interval you guys are doing the flush at?

 

Toyota doesn't say anything about PS but they recommend about 4 years on other fluids. Depends on how much you drive but I don't drive much so about every 5 years for me. The V6 doesn't have a PS cooler so that adds to the load on the fluid.

 

for no more than it costs, its cheap assurance to have it done every couple years or say 50,000 miles.
it could save you the cost of a pump or rack in the long run.

 

Maybe a dumb question...if the wheels are off the ground and the truck is off, will the steering wheel lock when you turn it?

 

You have to turn key to the accessory setting.

 

Got it, thanks! Probably need to do this, although the PS fluid looks clean.

 

Nice. Important note is not to let that pump go dry. Nice job.

 

Nice and easy little writeup, something everyone should know.
Maybe should be a sticky? @chris4x4

 

I recommend every 30k

I would think you would want the truck running so the PS pump is on and I would turn the wheel lock to lock to circulate the fluid and get the debris out. Just make sure it doesn't run dry.

 

The whole point here is NOT to run the engine. If you do run the engine the pump will empty the reservoir and you'll probably get air into the system. Not a good thing.

 

This is what I was thinking. I've done it in the past on a vehicle, but did it with the engine running. HUGE mess. HUGE.

 

Good point. I have never done a power steering service with this method. I have always provided a machine and used a machine to do this service.

 

I don't have access to Jack stands, if I drained the reservoir and replaced the fluid and repeated a few weeks later effectively replace the old fluid?

 

no

 

What is the fluid amount needed for the flush? And what hose size for the reservoir?

 

Thank you OP did this yesterday would advise that you be sure to direct return line into container like he said or it will be a mess. I had to take off skid plate to clean up.

I ended up using a little more than a quart of fluid.

 

I have a weird noise only on a cold start at only 900rpm. Thought it maybe the air cleaner hitting the side but only on cold start. I do notice it will get a little loud when I turn to a certain side and wonder if it could have something to do with the Power Steering System. It drives me nuts on first start