power steering fluid

[KB Viper]

I'm going to be changing my diff and trans fluid this weekend and wanted to ask if any members have swapped their power steering fluid? Is it worth doing it at 20k miles?
Thanks!

[Martin]

I'm going to be changing my diff and trans fluid this weekend and wanted to ask if any members have swapped their power steering fluid? Is it worth doing it at 20k miles?
Thanks!

Virtually all of the parts with moving pieces, gears, and pumps are subject to manufacturing debris contamination and break-in wear - so I as a rule change out the tranny, diff, and power steering fluids after about 5000 miles on regular cars, and 500 miles on the Vipers. That's probably erring on the anal side, but you wouldn't believe the crap I've found in those fluids over the years....

[KB Viper]

Virtually all of the parts with moving pieces, gears, and pumps are subject to manufacturing debris contamination and break-in wear - so I as a rule change out the tranny, diff, and power steering fluids after about 5000 miles on regular cars, and 500 miles on the Vipers. That's probably erring on the anal side, but you wouldn't believe the crap I've found in those fluids over the years....

I'm planning flushing all fluids this weekend. Any tips on how to tackle the power steering job? Do you just suck the fluid out of the reservoir and add new fluid, then turn the wheel full lock each direction and repeat process 3 or 4x or did you acutally drain it all then fill?

[Steve M]

I'm planning flushing all fluids this weekend. Any tips on how to tackle the power steering job? Do you just suck the fluid out of the reservoir and add new fluid, then turn the wheel full lock each direction and repeat process 3 or 4x or did you acutally drain it all then fill?

This is what I did, and is what I'd recommend...it probably takes more fluid to "flush" it this way, but it does end up clean at some point, and is way easier/cleaner.

On the gen V when the car is off, the fluid on the power steering reservoir reads at the “min” mark, should I just fill it up to the “max” mark?, what is the fluid recommended?

If I recall correctly, I got mine up to full operating temps, shut it off, and added fluid until it was at the "max" line on the reservoir. I used ATF+4 in my 2008...I'd be surprised if it was different for the Gen 5.

[Martin]

This may not be the perfect way to do it, but here's what I do:

1) Suck out all the old fluid from the reservoir and refill with fresh.
2) Loosen the "return line" from the reservoir and put the return line into a catch can.
3) Use compressed air to force all the fluid through the system.
4) Refill, and let sit for a while (so the fluid can get into the system), then start up briefly and top off, start briefly, top off, etc. You can speed the "let it sit for a while" process by taking off the serpentine belt and spinning the pump wheel.
5) At idle, slowly move the wheel from left to right until all the air is bled out.
6) Top off one more time to the "full" level.

[swexlin]

Let me be the voice of reason

Kris, your power steering fluid is fine. Unless you're having some issue, leave it alone. OK, flame suit on from the anal guys (and I'm an anal guy LOL!) Uh....that didn't sound right. You know what I mean

[Martin]

Let me be the voice of reason

Kris, your power steering fluid is fine. Unless you're having some issue, leave it alone. OK, flame suit on from the anal guys (and I'm an anal guy LOL!) Uh....that didn't sound right. You know what I mean

No flames from me - but I can safely say that I've never had a failure of the hydraulic system of any power steering pump I've owned in the last 35 years I've also never been hit by a meteoroid, either....

[01sapphirebob]

I'm going to be changing my diff and trans fluid this weekend and wanted to ask if any members have swapped their power steering fluid? Is it worth doing it at 20k miles?
Thanks!

This was on my GEN IV but should be the same. I sucked out all the old fluid with my Mity Vac leaving just enough in the bottom of the bottle to not go below the lines attached to the bottle. Filled with fresh fluid. Turned the car on and turned the wheel full left then full right three times. Turned car off and repeated this process two more times.

[v10tt]

On the gen V when the car is off, the fluid on the power steering reservoir reads at the “min” mark, should I just fill it up to the “max” mark?, what is the fluid recommended?

[Steve-Indy]

Gen V takes ATF+4 for P/S...as Steve said.

[stradman]

Hi guys
Would anybody know what the power steering cooler/rad part number is? I was on track yesterday and a small stone pierce the core with subsequent fluid everywhere. So need new rad/cooler...... Many thanks

[kriskyk]

Pull a vacuum on the return line and use one of those radiator funnel fill kits like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A6AS6LY..._GmCxDbD70M1CZ