Power steering fluid

was checking the PS fluid and noticed it was an amber color and i also noticed that it listed dexron ATF on the cap. ATF is always red so i went to the dealer. They tell me its not supposed to be ATF so i show them the cap.

Then starts the backtracking, well this that and another. I bought it from them and it was one of these precertified deals so i assumed they may have changed it out with the wrong fluid and i thought i had them in BS mode. I asked them to show me some of the new trucks on the lot and they all have the same fluid -- so i felt bad. They then show me the fluid they use to service the PS fluid and its some BG product that is also amber colored. On the container all it say is its good for some foreign manufacturers.

So, what if anything has everyone here done to the PS system. In the past i used to flush the system out. Anyone here done anything similar or just leave it alone? what did you use?

 

When I flushed mine I used ATF. I don't know if it matters or not. The only area I could think a problem would arise is with the deterioration/swelling of the seals. PS fluid is after all just a hydraulic fluid to be used as a medium by which power is transferred.

 

On my ford or other vehicles id use the turkey baster method. Draw old oil out till container is empty fill with new turn steering wheel back and forth and repeat a few times till oil is somewhat red again. I'd do this every 15 to 20k. The Tacoma has a fill hole which makes that method difficult or better said impossible.

Did you do a place input hose in container with new fluid and output in empty container and work the system till all the new oil was drawn in to the system and the old oil flushed out then reconnect container and fill to proper level.

 

Yes, very easy to do with an old 2 Liter pop bottle or similar.

 

So input is the large Diameter one?

Btw -- thanks for the info

 

So I am thinking if I disconnect the output/discharge line and rout it into into the 2liter bottle and plug off the opening to the oil resaviour I leave the input connected and start filling while someone works the steering back and forth till oil discharging into the 2liter bottle is red again reconnect and fill to proper level and I am good to go.

 

tagged.

 

Remove the return line, which I believe is the top one if memory serves. Run the new fluid through the system until you see it in your pop bottle (or similar).

Very, very easy to do.

 

Did a complete flush on mine this summer, very easy. Route the return line( top one) to a bottle, raise the front of the truck off the ground, then simply turn the steering wheel lock to lock which pumps the fluid through the system and at the same time continue to refill the resorvoir with new fluid. I used Amsoil ATF.

 

Thanks for the info -- I'll do it this next weekend

 

What is the fluid capacity of the power steering system??

I went to Toyota and got a printout of all the fluid capacities for my 06 Prerunner v6 and the PS Capacity is BLANK.

I can't find a straight answer searching the forums or online.

It would be nice to know exactly how much to buy....

Anyone know???

 

Exactly, this is what I did. I used mobil 1 ATF and installed a magnefine filter on the return while I was at it.

It took less than a quart before fresh ATF was coming out of the return line. After I reconnected the return and topped it off I had used just under a quart.

 

So 2 quarts will be plenty.

Thanks,

 

I know for certain...the 1st gen trucks use ATF in the power steering system.

 

Anyone ever use Toyota WS trans fluid in the PS?

 

I did it like this on my old truck and I couldn't fill the reso fast enough while my friend turned the wheel. On my new truck I have been doing it the lazy/ignorant way. Every few months, I have been draining the reso with a syringe and then adding back Amsoil ATF. After about 317 times doing this I should have all Amsoil in there.

 

I just followed the return line down to its source an removed it to let it drain. Refilled an did it again. I'm going to do it twice tonight too before I install the ps cooler.

 

Please post a write up on that ^^^^

 

LOL, I'm not that good at explaining things but i'll try an get some pics. The source of the return line is right behind the driver side wheel. Its the one with the hose clamp not the hard line next to it. If that helps any. We should try an get Chris4x4 to write one up.