Power steering fluid change

How much fluid (Total Capacity) is in the power steering system?

 

Bump

 

For those who don't want to use Dexron-II or Dexron-III and want an alternative to Amsoil:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-Steer...ast-/151644953007?hash=item234ebe59af&vxp=mtr

 

Hey Chris, i was searching for a write up on how to do this and had a quick question. Since we shouldnt start the motor to flush the fluid, can we just jack the truck up and turn the key to the on position (so the steering wheel doesnt lock) and then turn it from lock to lock to force out all the old fluid? Im assuming if we keep the resivoir topped off, then it will force out the older fluid first and pump the new fluid through the system? Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Im going to try and tackle this next weekend

 

I have not done a flush on a 2nd Gen yet, but on all other make/models I've done it on I made sure steering was unlocked; then turned back and forth being careful not to turn all of the way to the left or right. You'll be surprised how much fluid comes out doing this way. Keep an eye on the fluid reservoir as it may empty sooner than expected. Don't let it go dry.

 

Yeah, that works. As long as the motor doesn't start, then you won't have any issues.

 

I swapped mine out by just turning the wheel by hand. Refilling the reservoir at each stop. Going from lock to lock and back pretty much emptied the reservoir. 30 minute job.

 

gonna do mine ....73K.......

 

I have a slowwwwwww PS leak. So it’s like I’m changing the fluid all the time right

 

It's self changing. Put some Valvoline max life dex/merc atf in, and it may slow itself some.

 

Bump to do this to my 2010.

 

Oh, just realized that ATF and NOT power steering fluid is used for this. Says Dextron II or III. Will Valvoline MaxLife synthetic ATF work for this? That's what I used for my tranny flush and have some left over.

 

that's what I used for mine, no issues

 

Yes change your fluid, you may also want to add some stop leak to it. The PS fluid is cycled through the steering rack and the rack end seals can leak, granted at 50k seems too soon. You will not be able to see this leak because it's covered by the rack end(tie rod) boots, a nice big reservoir for all that leaking fluid to hang out in.

Here's what I did for mine.

 

One question: why do the front wheels need to be off the ground when turning the steering wheel to flush out the fluid? Seems like wheels on the ground or wheels in the air would not matter? Engine would not be running either way.

 

MUUUUUCH easier to cycle the wheels with no weight on them.

 

Go ahead and try turning the steering wheel with the tires on the ground and truck not running.

 

I did this a few weeks back and didn't seem to have any issues. Just curious though... How would I know if air got in the system? It seemed that when I turned the wheels lock to lock, the reservoir would empty, then I would refill. But how empty is too empty? I don't know 100% if air got in or not. Would I notice this right away somehow?

 

Steering wheel will shake, sometimes violently.

 

Well I definitely am not getting that reaction so I must have done it right.

Another quick question:

My PS seems to be harder when first turning it than after about a quarter turn in. Basically the level of how hard you have to turn the steering wheel seems to vary based on where you are in the actual turn. I hope this makes sense the way I am explaining it. Is this normal? Maybe the pump is aging?