Power steering fluid change

randomwalk101 · Oct 29, 2014

I'm curious if any of you guys change/flush your power steering fluid as a maintenance? ...or you guys just wait until the steering rack blows and replace them all at once? Lol.

Azblue · Oct 29, 2014

I think it's kinda like brake fluid. Yes, I know why it's supposed to be done. Have I ever done a brake flush? No. Maybe it's maintenance overkill, maybe it's because I live in a desert and don't have to worry about humidity, maybe I'm lucky, maybe I'm an idiot. I tend to keep trucks a long time (14 years on the Gen 1) and have never had a problem.

dothedeww · Oct 29, 2014

My thoughts exactly

EVOL ARDNUT · Oct 29, 2014

I did the first vehicle ever at 7 years with the Tundra, but Houston is humid so did the PS.
I also had them bleed the breaks fro another 7 years.
We don't do them like we should probably and depends how long are you going to keep it.

randomwalk101 · Oct 29, 2014

Yeah I'm in Houston too so prob going to do it. Can you give me some info on how you approach this? I'm too planning to keep the truck for a while.

EVOL ARDNUT · Oct 29, 2014

Fort Bend Toyota is who did it at same time as the Water PUMP when truck was still under warranty for the pump. So I paid for PS and brake fluid and warranty paid for pump. They did drain and fill trans but I wanted flush.
ONLY SOME DEALERS WILL FLUSH.............Trans full flush I did at 40,000 at AUTONATION Toyota on 45south near Fuqua. They get real scared with the words "I want it flushed and I mean all of it". I am at 83,000 with 07 now.

bjowett · Oct 29, 2014

Yes, I drain and fill with a good group V ester based fluid. That fluid being Redline D4, as I have it in 5 gallon pails, and Toyota suggests D3 or equivalent for the PS system. Larger coolers are also a good idea if you are going to be really using it.

tho98027 · Oct 30, 2014

Bjowett, when you do a drain and fill, how many quarts does it take to fill back up. Does it drain all the fluid out of the power steering system? Do you have to bleed the lines? I've been wanting to do this for some time now, but not sure how to go about it.

bjowett · Oct 30, 2014

Most of the fluid can be drained from the lower return line/hose on the driver's side. Turning the wheel back and forth from lock to lock will help pump out a little extra. As you refill, slowly turn the wheel back and forth from lock to lock to help draw fluid into the system. Pull the appropriate fuses so the truck will not start, but still turn over. Use the starter to spin the engine/ps pump to fill the remainder. I don't recall the amount used, I'll try to track that info down for you.

l1tech · Oct 30, 2014

I am a firm believer in fluid maintenance based on how the vehicle is used with the exception of brake fluid. I flush brake fluid every 2 years regardless of usage. My trans gets a full flush every year because I tow a lot. The other fluids get serviced when there is a need for it based on inspection of the fluid. Todays fluids have to do more than they ever did but they are also better than they have ever been however they do have their limits and they do break down over time.

asecde · Jan 25, 2016

I 100% agree. I do P/S fluid changes on the same timelines as the diff/transfer case. When I owned my 2007 Ford F-150 I did it every 25K...Fords are notorious for eating P/S pumps.

I change my brake fluid every two years regardless of mileage. It is hydroscopic and will absorb moisture and ultimately cause internal corrosion on the caliper pistons. Not to mention the moisture lowers the boiling point of your fluid. In fact, I lived overseas for a while and in Germany the brake fluid is a mandatory change as part of the TuV (MOT) inspection every two years.

If you are putting your truck in mud and water (Tundra owners do from time to time) it only makes sense to keep the fluids fresh.

randomwalk101 · Oct 30, 2014

Here is an excellent diy. Not tundra but concept is the same.

What I need to know though is how many bottle of ps fluid is needed. The DIY used atf fluid and I'm not sure if it's compatible in our truck.

bjowett · Oct 30, 2014

Toyota, for whatever reason, specs D3 or equivalent ATF fluid. I'll try to find the amount.

randomwalk101 · Oct 30, 2014

Thanks bjowlett

This comes right out of the manual: use automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or III.
I have some left over amsoil ATF WS fluid. I guess it's not the same as DEXRON II or III compatible?

RinconVTR · Oct 30, 2014

Once a year I drain and refill oil, atf, and p/s on every vehicle I have owned since 2004. (Previous to that, actually more often.)

For power steering in particular, I suck the reservoir dry with one of two tools and refill. I never completely drain the system. Consider it a yearly "refresh". It takes 5 minutes, costs $4-9, (in this case I refill with M1 ATF), so why would I not do this as a DIY'er?

randomwalk101 · Oct 30, 2014

okay guys...my money is going to Mobil 1 executives to help pay for their 6th Ferrari and their 3rd home in Beverly Hills.

Is New Formulation Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF Usable for Applications Requiring Dexron III?

randomwalk101 · Nov 9, 2014

Well flushed out the power steering and replaced with Mobile 1 synthetic ATF today. Relatively easy process. Stock fluid is clear (slightly yellow) so it's still good but after 7 years it's time I think....piece of mind I guess. Takes 2 quarts to completely flush out & fill up but I think you can get away with 1.5 quarts. I just flush out more fresh fluids too just to be sure...why be cheap with the .5 quart left..what are you going to do with it right?

Jaj23 · Jan 25, 2016

72fordgts said:
Just an FYI, I did this flush today on my truck. I sucked the reservoir dry than used the process from the video. If you disconnect the upper hose it will work exactly as in the video. It took about 1.5 litres from my truck to flush out all the old fluid. I used Mobil 1 for Dexron II/III applications.

I know it has been a while, but do either of you guys recall what size hose you used?

72fordgts · Dec 16, 2014

Just an FYI, I did this flush today on my truck. I sucked the reservoir dry than used the process from the video. If you disconnect the upper hose it will work exactly as in the video. It took about 1.5 litres from my truck to flush out all the old fluid. I used Mobil 1 for Dexron II/III applications.

Power steering fluid change

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