Power steering fluid?

[pdx650]

Maybe I'm the only one doing this, but I thought it was common knowledge?

You can flush the PS fluid by simply jacking the front tires off the ground, removing the PS return line, and turning the wheel clock to clock with the engine off and the key in the on position.
To prevent a mess I plug the return port on the reservoir and extend the return line into a bucket on the floor. As soon as the reservoir is almost empty and before it can suck air, I fill it to the top with new fluid.
Repeat the process a few times until the fluid running out is clear.

No turkey basters, no partial fill, and easy clean exchange of all PS fluid.

I did the same method in 2011 on my 3rd gen. Check my photos. Works like a charm.

 

[Mo's TE]

Anyone having heavy steering wheel? I changed the oil using the baster method over several days but it did not help. I'm running 285s since new. I cannot tell at which point the steering became heavy.

 

[1000MPH]

Only after driving other cars with light steering.

 

[Stickma2]

No lift front end, don’t have jack stands.

If I do all the steps but just leave the front end on the ground instead of lifting it up, will there be any negative consequences.?

 

[J.A.]

If I do all the steps but just leave the front end on the ground instead of lifting it up, will there be any negative consequences.?

No, it will just make turning the wheels harder and scrub the tires.
4th Gen Toyota 4Runner Power Steering Fluid Exchange Service

 

[ejesauer]

I do mine with all the other fluids at 50k. Easy to remember that way. I use Lubegard 23232 power steering fluid. I use a fluid extractor on the return line. No mess at all. I also install an inline filter.

 

[Stickma2]

J.A., Thanks

 

[1000MPH]

Be careful when pulling the return line, the plastic reservoir can get brittle as it gets old.

 

[coltm4]

I just did mine at 187k. It was dirty. Refilled with Valvoline transmission oil I had left over. Works fine.

 

[pdx650]

3rd Gen translates to 5th gen?

Hey all, I replaced the fluid on my 3rd gen in 2011. It was a '97 with the 3RZ-FE 2.7-liter 4-banger. I used pennzoil atf and it worked great. I did lift the front end off the road surface, turned the key on to the 'unlock' setting and just rotated the wheel side-to-side and made sure there was enough fluid in the reservoir. I removed the return line off of the metal reservoir and made sure to point it down towards the ground where the drip pan was. I capped the return nipple for this process. All the new fluid pushed out the old. When I saw clean red ATF coming from the return hose, I reinstalled the line to the reservoir. Topped it off and was done.

It sounds like a similar process for the 5th gen too, right?

 

[1000MPH]

Yup! That’s the easiest way to do a the full flush.

 

[pdx650]

Now I have a 5th gen (‘18 TRD OFFROAD, wilderness pkg, enhancement pkg) and I have not flushed the steering yet. I have changed the engine oil/filter, front/rear diff oils, transmission fluid and filter. Not the t.case yet. Installed ‘silblade’ brand silicone front windscreen wipers, and promptly started a crack by accidentally allowing the passenger side wiper arm to smack the glass. FML. 1st world problems, right? Love my 4Runner. Port injection, 5-speed, 4WD. Keeping this one.

 

[MtnClimbr]

That's how I did it at about 40k miles. Used the Idemitsu as well. It's sooo clear, it's hard to see the level