Power steering fluid

Looking at best way to exchange or replace power steering fluid.
Draw out as much as I can and replace?

What fluid should I use?

 

Well, this is an old school way, but it's the way I used to do it. With plenty of new fluid ready, disconnect the return line. Have someone else start the engine. The old fluid will be pumped into whatever pan you have. At the same time pour in new fluid into the resevore (sic). If you cannot tell the difference between old and new fluid by color, then just overdo it with several quarts of fluid. Heck, PS fluid is cheap, so you spend a few dollars to make sure. By the way, the return fluid isn't going to be nice. Fit on a longer rubber tube to it down to a collection pan. Lastly, if you're going to do this, buy a premium replacement fluid, like Red Line, etc. If you choose to use some over the counter cheap stuff, include an additive as is available from Lubegard.

 

You don't even need to start the truck. jacking the front up with wheels off the ground and turning them will pump fluid. It's slower and gives more control.

First time I did it I started the truck and it pumped fast. Second time I just turned the wheels. You can turn them by hand at the wheel well so you're right by the reservoir.

Pulling the return line and using a male/male 3/8 hose barb with some 3/8 id tube works great for routing the fluid to a catch pan. An ear plug if you have some handy makes a good plug for the return pipe off the reservoir.

Here's a good thread with fluids and processes.


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-steering-fluid-flush.396536/

 

When you say jack up the front wheels, I assume you mean both at the same time, requiring two jacks/lifts. Seems like a lot for so simple a procedure. You are correct that the fluid will come out fast, which is why I said to have plenty of fluid available. I wonder if your procedure will remove all of the old fluid?

 

Just one jack needed

 

as the other guy said I can jack both wheels up with one jack. I try never to just turn my wheels when stationary any ways. I don't know if it gets all the fluid, but running the inner tie rods in and out of the rack should move it.

Either method works great, I just normally do this stuff by myself.

 

I should have added that while the engine is running to have the person who started the engine turn the steering wheel completely back and forth several times. Oops!

 

It's not necessary to change out 100% of the fluid. Really it just needs a bit of refreshing. Get a baster and pull out as much fluid from the reservoir as you can, refill with fresh. Drive it a few days, repeat. Repeat again. No messing with return lines or wrenches or anything else. I'm guessing after 3-4 times you will have changed out probably 60% of the fluid, should be good for another 100k.

 

Oooookay ?!? Three or four times and you might get 60%? Seems like a lot of work for so little. For most that I know, doing it once for perhaps 99% seems better to me.

 

After I did this method, I decided that every oil change I would get the baster out and change the reservoir along with grease to the drive shaft.

 

You do it your way, I'll do it mine (without any wrenches or towels or cleanup).

We are both performing service on a system that, according to the manual, does not require service. So I may never realize the added benefit of 99% vs 60% (estimated) fresh fluid.

 

I did this today in about 30 minutes...changed it over to Valvoline Maxlife ATF. Did not start the engine..just turned the wheels all the way over one way..checked fluid and then turned them back and checked fluid. Did this several times trying to be sure no air was sucked in. I used an old windshield washer fluid bottle to catch old fluid pumped out.

 

that's how I do it every oil change