Change out power steering fluid

[RL Lemke]

Change out power steering fluid - Important fluid changes.

Is there a DIY way to change out the power steering fluid? Now that I have 60k miles, it is time to do that and change out the brake fluid too.

 

[RL Lemke]

Are you changing your power steering fluid based upon a 60K mile service interval that is recommended by Toyota? Or do you just feel like doing it?

I don't find where it is required to change the power steering fluid. However, 60,000 miles is long enough. The fluid is darker than when it was new. That means it is holding suspended crap. Crap that needs to be flushed out. I want to replace it with synthetic ATF.

 

[genlrony]

If a vehicle is in the junk yard I would venture to say that not changing the fluids would have been a contributing factor just flushed my power steering system a couple weeks ago and added a conditioner to it, now my steering feels tighter.

 

[RL Lemke]

The power steering system is about as simple as it gets-- it's a closed system consisting of a pump, a steering rack, and a system of tubes/hoses to circulate the fluid.

You are right. However, the transmission, transfer case and differentials are closed systems too. While they may be more mechanical than the power steering system, they all are subject to contamination. Since I plan on putting 500,000 miles on this 4Runner, I want to make sure I delay as long as possible the replacement of any expensive parts.

Here is my plan for my V8:

I changed to synthetic Amsoil the differentials and transfer case at 30,000 miles. Now Amsoil has even better gear oil. One that has incorporated the shock protection offered by Red Line for years. I

 

[Larry]

Just get something to suck out the fluid out and fill it back up with new fluid. You can do this every 30k miles or so, if you're keeping your 4Runner. I do it to my cars and use Red Line D4 for the 4Runner and Volvo.

 

[EDGE]

When I took my ES300 in for an oil change they told me at 20k that my power steering fluid needed to be replaced, I know it's not the 4Runner but I found it odd that at 20k and on such a new car they wanted to flush it

 

[Larry]

When I took my ES300 in for an oil change they told me at 20k that my power steering fluid needed to be replaced, I know it's not the 4Runner but I found it odd that at 20k and on such a new car they wanted to flush it

Luxo cars always require little extras because the owners will pay for them. The same Toyota with a Lexus badge mifht require lots of little extras. The Toyota version might just need to be washed.

 

[Boaz]

Today I drained the resevoir (sp?) and refilled with syn power steering fluid.

My pump was whining in the cold. I will listen for the whine tomorrow AM.

BTW, The fluid I drained out was DISGUSTING!! Very brown with a nasty looking sediment in it. I am glad I changed it out!

 

[hossmaster]

One of my friends installed a filter on his power steering system, although he put a hydrolic assist when he did his solid axel swap. Just a thought though.