Power steering reservior clean-out

I think I need to clean out my power steering reservior on my 04 D-cab(3.4L). I searched the forums, and came up with a few things, but am still unsure of the info. One, is there just an o-ring seal where the reservior connects to the pump? If so, does it need to be replaced? Does anyone have a part number of size of the o-ring?

Can the reservior be removed without taking the pump loose? I looks like I should be able to remove all three retaining bolts without loosening/removing the pump itself.

Thanks

 

Yes there is just an oring at the pump reservoir connection. I have one of those oring kits with several different sizes, so i just used one of them that fit snuggly. Those kits are very useful, it has saved mine and my buddies ass' several times. They are super cheap, i recommend buying one. I know Amazon has a few of them kits. The oring will need to be replaced, i have found that the old one gets pretty flattened from the sealing surface inside the pump. I always had to use a new one

Yes the reservoir can be removed without removing the pump. It is just those 3 bolts...and the return line of course.

 

you can remove the reservoir without removing the pump. but its going to very messy.

best to just take the pump out. unless you want to just suck out all the liquid and run a strong magnet inside to collect the shavings.

when I swapped my pump, I put a

$20 Raybestos Powertrain Inline Magnetic Automatic Transmission / Power Steering Filter 3/8

hydraulic filter just before the return port. you might want to do that too.

 

To avoid the mess codeseven just mentioned all ya gotta do is take the return line off at the reservoir that has to be done anyway and just divert the line into a container. Either start the truck for a quick second and itll drain out or jack the front end up and grab a tire and manually cycle the steering and thatll also empty the reservoir without a mess.