How are you guys actually cleaning your PS reservoirs?

[nukegoat]

There's no easy way to separate the two halves as far as I can tell. You can't really backflush the majority of screen material since there's two passages for the outlet. Lacquer thinner / acetone don't seem to dislodge the gritties from the screen and compressed air isn't much help in a container designed to reduce turbulence.

I think people aren't actually doing this job very well

 

[I Lean]

I put mine in my parts washer, squirted out what I could and used a bottle brush to reach what I could.

After all that, I agree--I didn't do a great job. It was a bunch cleaner than before, but you can really see the dark spots still.

 

[Ayune]

I removed & cleaned the reservoir when replacing my steering rack. Brake cleaner is not so good for plastics. Use a water-based, non-foaming engine degreaser that's says "safe for plastics." Blow out debris with compressed air if you can.

 

[flintknapper]

This is something I have done once and will never do again. I will simply buy a new reservoir.

 

[I Lean]

You may be able to replace it more easily than cleaning it, too. Options are plentiful: Power steering reservoir interchange

 

[nukegoat]

You may be able to replace it more easily than cleaning it, too. Options are plentiful: Power steering reservoir interchange

You da man.

 

[dchilds]

I pulled mine, heated and bent the head of a toothbrush to 90 degrees and went to town with degreaser. It worked well and I was able to get it 80% cleaner. I was happy enough. After running it a couple thousand miles and doing another flush, I think at least one seal in my rack is bad. Rubber floaties and quite the burnt smell to the "new" fluid. I really don't want to replace the rack :/

 

[dinnertime]

I put mine in my ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[94SRUNNER]

I put mine in my ultrasonic cleaner.

Any before and after pictures?

 

[white_lx]

Parts cleaner and a small brush. That took care of most of it. After that evacuating and re-filling the reservoir with clean ATF at every oil change did wonders and made it look like new over time.

Based on that experience, I didn't even clean it on my other vehicles. I just kept changing the fluid in the reservoir. Note that there was very little sediment to begin with, but they were dirty enough that it was impossible to read the fluid levels through the plastic.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Several manufacturers have issues with these things clogging up, none of them suggest cleaning they all want replacement, they're inexpensive security. did one on a 300k taco the other day that made the pump whine and areate.

 

[dinnertime]

Any before and after pictures?

Unfortunately no, but I'm about to do it to another one soon. I'll make sure to take pics.

 

[ike84]

14 minutes in the ultrasonic cleaner, 90% cleaner. Still a few flecks in

screen that I'm gonna try to get out with co.pressed air. Not bad though, and the cleaner cost the same as a new reservoir lol.

 

[trdcorolla]

I have this post bookmarked, apparently our 100's share the same power steering reservoir as some GM's, so if you don't mind a different cap, it's an option.

Steering Flush & Cleaning

It's very rare, to see a damaged screen. Some I suspect so clogged, they blew apart. Some I suspect, were poked. Air is bleed during the bleed process. Which is explained in opening page of thread. Sometimes, during a complete draining of system, like R&P replacement. Are difficult to bleed...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[ike84]

I love little Easter eggs like that. Thank you! Based on how dirty my fluid was, I'm probably gonna flush a few times this winter and then maybe swap out the tank for a new one with the last flush.