I changed my p.s. fluid, it's easy (with pics)

[TmanP]

Hey everybody. Just wanted to share how I changed my power steering fluid. I bought 2 quarts of (very expensive, $25 a quart) AC Delco COLD CLIMATE power steering fluid (a synthetic blend formulated for low temperatures) from the GM dealer. It was actually the same price there as on Amazon. I warmed up the car, then opened the power steering reservoir. (NOTE: On W-bodies, the power steering fluid reservoir is buried behind the alternator). I took my siphon pump's small black tubing and sucked out the old fluid (only about 5-6 ounces). Then I refilled with my homemade turkey baster extended funnel. I checked the level, capped it off and drove around for a few minutes, taking a route with many turns. I also tried to turn it lock to lock. Then I drove home and repeated the process. I did it 8 or 9 times, over a period of several days. At first, I tried to suck fluid out with the turkey baster but made a huge mess. And even with the siphon pump I still made a bit of a mess. It was pretty easy, other than burning my hand every time.

You can see the black hose behind the serpentine belt here.

Here's the fluid that I pulled out the first time, and the 8th time.

Another view,

 

[CharlieBauer]

If you couldn't do a line off exchange, maybe you could have purchased some regular GM approved PSF until you got the system clean, and then sucked and filled with the $50 worth of cold climate stuff.

I would have liked to have a clean system after such an outlay on semi syn fluid!

 

[CharlieBauer]

It seems the cold climate PSF is GM standard 9985835.

Mag1 claims to meet it and is much cheaper (regular PSF pricing)

 

[Popsy]

Nice writing

Funny, I also changed the PS fluid of my Barchetta today, and it was a total disaster. Usually I use a big syringe to do a drain and fill (I usually do a drain and refill at every OC), takes 5 minutes, and done.

Today I broke my syringe, so I thought "I'll unplug the hose and let the reservoir drain"...ended up putting some PS fluid on the belt, had to strip down the belt, clean the pulleys the best I could, and now I am considering buying a new belt. Needless to say the Barchetta hood is quite crowded and the access isn't the best...

While I was under the car, I noticed the right shaft drive wasn't in the best condition, so now I also have a shaft drive to replace... 5 minutes turned into 1h30, and it isn't finished

 

[JGmazda]

WOW... just did a similar exchange on my 2001 Buick. It's a pain to get back there isn't it? Used a turkey baster to get the fluid out. I used O'reilly's Power steering fluid as they advised it has the same specs for the GM stuff. Seems to work well. I may do another flush in a few days just to make sure the new fluid circulates etc.

Thanks for posting the pics!

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Glad to see someone changing their PS fluid. That's got to be THE most ignored fluid on a vehicle. Brake fluid gets changed when someone needs a new caliper, AT Fluid once in a while - but NEVER PS fluid. It makes a big difference I have noticed.

I got to change the PS fluid on my Jeep ... twice ... when I was adding a PS cooler to it. Wasn't paying attention and had one of the lines wrapped around the steering shaft. Of course I found that out after I bled the system. Oh well, lotsa new fluid now!

 

[RF Overlord]

When we bought the ex's '03 Mercury Marauder with 87,xxx the P/S pump whined. The fluid was pretty dark, so I did a couple of turkey-basters every few days and it quieted down. Continued doing that at every oil change. Car now has over 200,000 and the P/S is still nice and quiet and the fluid stays clean.

 

[Rick in PA]

If you can get to the filter screen in the system, it wouldn't hurt to clean that too. Mine was loaded with gunk.

I flushed my system and cleaned the screen. Here's a video I shot of the process, the screen cleaning is towards the end of the video.

 

[blupupher]

boy that thing is in a bad place.
I did the PS in my brother in laws '04 F150 yesterday (155,000 miles). It was pretty dark coming out as I am sure it has never been changed. After sucking out and refilling about 1.5 qts it was pretty red (uses ATF).
I did my truck the first time when I got it (I think I did 3 qts over a week) and just suck the reservoir out once a year now.
It is about tie to do my wife's car for the first time (4 years, 33,000 miles). Need to find out what it uses.

 

[Vikas]

I think my Bugatti also uses the same power steering fluid as it too costs $25 per quart

 

[CharlieBauer]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I think my Bugatti also uses the same power steering fluid as it too costs $25 per quart



I suggest relocating the reservoir in your Bugatti. I was spilling so much in mine I had to buy another quart. An extra $25 every 10 years gets to be expensive.

 

[Trav]

I am researching a remote reservoir conversion for one of these cars right now. I am so sick of the location especially when there is a strut tower cross brace installed making the coolant overflow bottle a PITA to remove.
I have found a few tanks that will work well and fittings for the pump once the plastic tank is removed, the return is no problem.