Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
Changing Power Steering Fluid
Ok, so last night, I got my 11 year old to help me change the power steering fluid.
I had plenty of rags to hand, so disconnected the smaller pipe under the PS fluid reservoir which is the return pipe.
Quite straight forward, just be prepared for the oil that will come out of the pipe as well as out of the reservoir (even if you've suction drained it already).
Found the right sized pipes and clips so I could drain straight out into an empty receptacle! Block the Reservoir end of the pipe that you've removed.
Before I did all that, I got Max to do a run through of start car, start turning steering wheel, lock to lock and back to centre, switch off. Just to make sure he knew his role in the task!
So once disconnected, I had 2 litres of oil with the tops already removed as once the engine is started and the turning starts, it doesn't take very long at all to get through the fluid! If you run out, you should stop engine immediately.
I actually had 3 litres just in case.
Max did a great job, sticking to his task and switching off as soon as he'd gone lock to lock and back.
Once finished and reconnected the pipework, I topped up with some remaining fluid to the normal marker.
Beanie did his at the weekend and we discussed his results, which seem to be remarkably similar to mine!
Now bearing in mind, my old fluid was pretty and very dark, the new is a much much lighter colour.
Click image to enlarge
I took it for a drive to Explorers, so about 30 minutes each way.
I noticed a real improvement in the steering wheel sensation. previously driving over white lines or in the wheel troughs, would result in some real twitching. going reasonably swift around corners would also cause the car to feel jittery and almost 'skip' sideways.
Now don't get me wrong, it's not solved my overall handling issues which still persist, but it has made it much much smoother to handle and a much more consistent feel to the steering.
I used the genuine LR Cold Climate PS Fluid.
I'll syringe out the reservoir at each service now and just top it up with new fluid to continue with a progressive ongoing change of fluid for the future.
So, in summary, if your oil is looking darker than the new stuff, then flush it out!
If you don't want to do it yourself, Geoff. is now doing Power Steering Flushes.
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26th Mar 2015 5:32 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Weirdly on trucks its never replaced only thing thats does get changed is the pas filter every couple of years, so the same oil can literally do a million kilometres.
Pas pump or pas box failure is so rare I cant remember the last one that died.
26th Mar 2015 5:55 pm
armalites
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
Re: Changing Power Steering Fluid
Bodsy wrote:
Click image to enlarge
That oil seems to have made some invisible text readable, you could be on to something there.IID PRO
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26th Mar 2015 8:36 pm
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
It's magic!
well actually its the back of a GAP Diagnostics suspension settings sheet Bodsys Brake Bible
Got half way through the topic thinking this sounds familiar , I used Harry my 7 yr old though he did once turn the key the wrong way (upset him a little) but no harm done
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26th Mar 2015 9:32 pm
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
That I dont know but its what the maker specifies and I can tell you 100 percent that we only do it becasue we are a main dealer, once out of the network I reckon the filter never gets changed, never mind the fluid.
Many of these vehicles are under the makers service regime so if they felt it needed doing to keep their costs down in the long run I assume they would have it done.
Like I say they just dont go wrong so reckon the makers must have something right.
Plus its only standard dextron 2 atf.
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and very dark, the new is a much much lighter colour.
