absalom
New member
Just recently picked up a 4th gen, and am doing the initial baseline maintenance. Didn't see a 4th gen specific DIY guide to flushing power steering. Anyways, I recommend doing this every 80k miles, as it makes a big difference immediately, especially if the PO filled your reservoir with power steering fluid instead of the specified ATF.
1) -
2) -
Notice, mine is disgusting, and way overdue for a change. Steering effort is very high, and I suspect this flush will make a big difference.
3) -
It'll still leak, but it'll be much slower and easier to soak up with a towel. 7/32" hose available from any auto parts store.
4) -
You'll want a 6' hose, long enough to reach from the reservoir to the jug on the ground.
5) - Now, top up your reservoir all the way to the brim with fresh ATF (DEX 2 or 3). Turn the key to the "ON" position, but do not start the truck.
6) - Slowly turn the wheel from NEAR-lock to NEAR-lock once. Do not hit the full locks, as you want the flow of fluid to be continuous.
7) - Top off the reservoir, and do another Near-lock to Near-lock.
8) - Repeat this process until you have pink fluid coming out of the hose, into the milk jug. Once the exiting fluid is clean, continue until your fluid is at the proper level within the reservoir.
9) - With clean fluid in the system, and the reservoir at the proper level, hook your return line back up to the reservoir and replace the cap on the reservoir. With your truck still on the jack stands, start the truck and repeat the bleeding process of turning NEAR-lock to NEAR-lock until you have no more frothing in the reservoir. If you hear a groaning noise, just keep bleeding.
TADA! You're done! Enjoy your proper steering feel, and a vastly more healthy power steering system! Total cost = ~$20 for a gallon of ATF.
**Before starting, safely jack front wheels off the ground, and support with jack stands.
1) -
Locate the power steering reservoir underneath your hood
2) -
Inspect your level and condition of fluid
Notice, mine is disgusting, and way overdue for a change. Steering effort is very high, and I suspect this flush will make a big difference.
3) -
Remove return line, and cap off the nub with Ziploc bag and zip tie. Insert 7/32" hose into your return line and secure with zip tie.
It'll still leak, but it'll be much slower and easier to soak up with a towel. 7/32" hose available from any auto parts store.
4) -
Route 7/32" vacuum line through the core support and down to a milk jug on the ground
You'll want a 6' hose, long enough to reach from the reservoir to the jug on the ground.
5) - Now, top up your reservoir all the way to the brim with fresh ATF (DEX 2 or 3). Turn the key to the "ON" position, but do not start the truck.
6) - Slowly turn the wheel from NEAR-lock to NEAR-lock once. Do not hit the full locks, as you want the flow of fluid to be continuous.
7) - Top off the reservoir, and do another Near-lock to Near-lock.
8) - Repeat this process until you have pink fluid coming out of the hose, into the milk jug. Once the exiting fluid is clean, continue until your fluid is at the proper level within the reservoir.
9) - With clean fluid in the system, and the reservoir at the proper level, hook your return line back up to the reservoir and replace the cap on the reservoir. With your truck still on the jack stands, start the truck and repeat the bleeding process of turning NEAR-lock to NEAR-lock until you have no more frothing in the reservoir. If you hear a groaning noise, just keep bleeding.
TADA! You're done! Enjoy your proper steering feel, and a vastly more healthy power steering system! Total cost = ~$20 for a gallon of ATF.
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