Power steering fluid??

[TXLX470]

Truck was making funny noices while turning the steering wheel last Friday and when I checked the oil it was very very low. Drove about 75 miles like that. Hope nothing is damaged...Should I use any steering oil from auto zone or is there any good brands that one can recommend. I have not flush or add any for last 3-4 years.
Thanks in advance and happy easter..

 

[hks3sgte]

the 80 series guys recommend Mobil hydraulic oil. I would like to try that...

but what I did was siphon out the old, stinky, black fluid and filled it with Mobil Synthetic ATF. Haven't had any problems since.

 

[spressomon]

Same here only I used the same Amsoil syn ATF fluid as I used in tranny. Siphoned the old steering pump fluid out of the reservoir a couple different times and filled up with clean ATF.

 

[TXLX470]

I used valvoline with dextron( it was mentioned on the cap..d'ah) to fill the reservoir but did not drain it. May be next time. One question though...power steering fluid and ATF does not mix anywhere ?? it's two different systems right???

 

[spressomon]

I used valvoline with dextron( it was mentioned on the cap..d'ah) to fill the reservoir but did not drain it. May be next time. One question though...power steering fluid and ATF does not mix anywhere ?? it's two different systems right???

Correct: Isolated systems. But utilize the same type of fluid. Interestingly I was starting to get a little belt (slight) noise when the engine was cold and just after pulling out of the garage/parking space...which prompted me to exchange the PS fluid. Noise gone.

 

[pint]

Correct: Isolated systems. But utilize the same type of fluid. Interestingly I was starting to get a little belt (slight) noise when the engine was cold and just after pulling out of the garage/parking space...which prompted me to exchange the PS fluid. Noise gone.

Interesting. I am getting a squeal on cold starts that lasts for about 10-20 seconds and was guessing this was the issue. I had hoped it would go away when I had every other fluid (other than PS), belts, etc changed at the 90K service. No such luck! How hard is it to change fluid?

 

[spressomon]

Interesting. I am getting a squeal on cold starts that lasts for about 10-20 seconds and was guessing this was the issue. I had hoped it would go away when I had every other fluid (other than PS), belts, etc changed at the 90K service. No such luck! How hard is it to change fluid?

Sounds like the same symptom I had. Easy 1/2 . Get a turkey type baster or similar. To get down to the bottom of the PS fluid reservoir you will need to attach a short section of flex hose onto the end of the turkey baster (unless you have a real fluid pump that has a longer narrow hose); I used some 1/4" vent hose I had laying around.

Suck the fluid out of the PS reservoir and replace with new appropriate fluid: Run the rig for a day or so then repeat a couple times until the fluid is clean. Be sure to pay attention, like all fluid reservoirs, to the fluid fill height.

There are other ways of doing the PS fluid renew but this is the easiest IMO and nearly as effective as the more complicated refresh procedures.

 

[TXLX470]

for a minute I was reading the "PS" as passanger side..))
Thanks for sharing the procedure...First thing in my list now

 

[FATrabbit]

Are you doing this fluid replacement at some interval, or just replacing the original fluid with new/synthetic? I am thinking I need to do this as my fluid is pretty dirty looking....

 

[spressomon]

IIRC the interval for power steering fluid is 60k? But I think, given I travel a fair amount of dusty off-road trails each year, to do it once per year from here on out.

I don't think there is a downside to having clean fresh fluid in there given it doesn't hold all that much to begin with.

 

[BMWSTOY]

Or you can do it the the long and hard way - re use the nut that holds the pulley and have it fall off. Then order the rebuild kit and put the seal on backwards and have it leak :whoops: Then have a and do it right. There, all new fluids in the PS pump.

Err better use the spresso method.

 

[spressomon]

Or you can do it the the long and hard way - re use the nut that holds the pulley and have it fall off. Then order the rebuild kit and put the seal on backwards and have it leak :whoops: Then have a and do it right. There, all new fluids in the PS pump.

Err better use the spresso method.

LOL! Not at you but with you

 

[pint]

Or you can do it the the long and hard way - re use the nut that holds the pulley and have it fall off. Then order the rebuild kit and put the seal on backwards and have it leak :whoops: Then have a and do it right. There, all new fluids in the PS pump.

Err better use the spresso method.

Ouch! Sorry too hear. I just did the first cycle of "sucking" all the fluid out per Spresso! I'll check it daily and keep sucking out the dirty and putting in clean until it's all fresh! Hopefully this will fix my early morning cold start squeal...

 

[Jim_Chow]

I use Redline ATF w/ dextron II (yes, you still can get dextron II!). I'd avoid PS fluid unless it's made by Toyota. Most domestic PS fluid is just cheap ATF.

 

[pint]

I changed out the fluid this week and my morning cold start squeal is gone! It was very easy as well. I have put 500 miles on this week, a little over 150 per day. At the end of each day I just pumped out the old fluid and put in new until it was all clean. I used Mobil 1 ATF.

 

[NMuzj100]

I found that a standard flex-straw for kids drinks attaches easily to my turkey baster for removing the old fluid.

I am using Amsoil Synthetic ATF with good results. There is no FSM interval for the steering fluid but replacing every 60k or whenever it looks bad seems reasonable.

 

[hks3sgte]

I found that a standard flex-straw for kids drinks attaches easily to my turkey baster for removing the old fluid.

I am using Amsoil Synthetic ATF with good results. There is no FSM interval for the steering fluid but replacing every 60k or whenever it looks bad seems reasonable.

Pep Boys also sells a 99 cents "sucker" that is very good.

 

[pint]

Pep Boys also sells a 99 cents "sucker" that is very good.

Less than a buck for a good "sucker"...now that is a deal!!! I may get 2 for that price...

 

[Kinan]

My mechanic let me in on a little trick to get all of the fluid out of the power steering system. Disconnect the highest hose on the reservoir and run a short hose to a catch container, then start the engine and let it idle and use the pump to pull all of the old gunk out of the system and pump it into your container. I used an old milk carton.
Then reconnect hose and pour in fresh. Took 5 minutes

 

[uHu]

My mechanic let me in on a little trick to get all of the fluid out of the power steering system. Disconnect the highest hose on the reservoir and run a short hose to a catch container, then start the engine and let it idle and use the pump to pull all of the old gunk out of the system and pump it into your container. I used an old milk carton.
Then reconnect hose and pour in fresh. Took 5 minutes

Run a short hose from where?
From the reservoir or from the detached hose?
I'll do this when I have some oil, and post a pic or two.