Power Steering Fluid--Sanity Check

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E

ebod

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My 2004 LC 100 is at the dealer. It is there for a oil change/lube/inspection. I specifically asked them (even though it would have been covered by the inspection) to check the power steering fluid level. I suspected that it might be a bit low because I sometimes get an almost imperceptible vibration in the wheel when cranking at slow speeds in the morning.

In any event, they say the fluid level is fine, but that the fluid is dirty. They want $159 to change the fluid (I don't think I've changed it since the car was new 75,000 miles ago). They did mention that it was getting dirty at my last oil change.

My questions are: (i) should I change the fluid, or is "dirty fluid" just an excuse to pad the bill?; and (ii) assuming I should change it, is the $159 a mere ripoff (which I'll expect from a dealer and which I'm willing to absorb for the convenience of going to a dealer 2 blocks from my office) or a super ripoff (which I try to avoid as a matter of principle)?

Thank you in advance for any replies!
 
Change the fluid, $159 is a ripoff, do it yourself it's easy. There's a write up here somewhere.
 
OregonLC said:
Change the fluid, $159 is a ripoff, do it yourself it's easy. There's a write up here somewhere.
Click to expand...


I agree. A $7.00 fluid pump/siphon from AutoZone, synthetic AT fluid and a empty container to collect the old fluid and you're finished in 15 or 20 easy minutes for maybe $30 or less.

Very, very easy.
 
There is a thread on how to do it. I've done it twice. Last time it costed me $10 worth of PS fluid. 2qts is plenty.

You don't even need the pump siphon. You can hook a hose to the PS fluid return line, lift the front tires off the ground and turn the wheel from lock to lock. It'll pump the fluid out. Then you pour new fluid in. Repeat until the fluid coming out looks clean.
 
A Mityvac is a handy thing to have.

MTY-VAP-8000_is


Pick one up for $50 do it yourself and take the :princess: out for a nice dinner.
 
Thanks for the info/suggestions. I'll use this as an opportunity to increase my DIY experience--doing this would be an aggregate increase of 50%.
 
So I bought a cheapo transfer pump. It's like a ball pump that will either extract or push (I was going to say either suck or blow, but that sounded a bit creepy).

I wanted to check with the wisdom of mud before buying the fluid though. The dealer wanted to sell me "Johnsen's Universal Power Steering Fluid" The parts guy said that it was what the shop would have used if I had them do the fluid. It on the back it had a laundry list of manufacturers who's cars this fluid would mix with. Is this fluid satisfactory or do I want to buy better stuff (and, if so, what's the better stuff I want)? Also, will there be any mixing problems if I use better stuff to top off the original fluid that came with the truck?
 
Too much work. Just jack the front, disconnect the return and crank the wheels. It will self purge and you'll get the bad out of the rack not just the reservoir.

Regarding fluid, I use Amsoil ATF, same as A343F drinks.
 
OregonLC said:
Too much work. Just jack the front, disconnect the return and crank the wheels. It will self purge and you'll get the bad out of the rack not just the reservoir.

Regarding fluid, I use Amsoil ATF, same as A343F drinks.
Click to expand...

Look at the link I posted its very easy. I just used OReillys brand PS fluid. Toyotas aren't picky about PSF like Hondas. Last time I used valvoline synthetic ATF
 
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