Power Steering Flush and Fluid question

[atalarico]

Hey all,

My ps fluid and reservoir was brown when I bought it. I emptied and refilled the overflow tank about 5 times over the course of last summer and maybe that helped but it’s hard to tell since the tank is stained. I’m sure it was better than not doing it I guess.

Anyway, I realized after the fact that I have a freakin fluid extractor pump and could have done a full extraction. Is it really just a matter of taking the fluid out of the tank, popping off one of the hoses that goes to the tank and shoving one of the extraction hoses into that and going to town? Should I pop off the tank and clean it out too while I’m at it?

To refill it, do you hook the hose back up to the dry tank and then refill it from there until you hit the right line?

Also, what kind of fluid are you using for this?

Thanks!

 

[Whiskey & Wrenches]

I changed the steering fluid on my 4Runner shortly after purchase, I put the front end on jack stands and removed the reservoir and cleaned it with brake cleaner to get the gunk out.

While the car was on jack stands and the reservoir removed, I turned the wheels from lock to lock with the engine off so I could get as much fluid as possible out of the rack. It's easy to do without any weight on the front end.

Once I was satisified that most of the fluid was drained, I put the reservoir back on and reattached the hoses, then filled the reservoir with fluid and ran it for a few minutes, slowly turning the wheel from side to side to remove the air from the rack and refilling the reservoir as needed.

I can't remember which fluid I used, I think it was the Valvoline Max life tranny fluid but am not sure.

It's an easy job and doesn't take very long.

 

[Shiftless Joe]

I used Valvoline Max Life synthetic ATF fluid, just set the suction hose in the right line, as your looking at it from this view. It's still a good idea to rotate the steering wheel to both limits, while flushing with a vac.

 

[Terminator03]

I definitely need to do this, but I also need to replace the high pressure line since it’s so rusty. I’m planning to just do the fluid while it is apart for the line. Not looking forward to that task though, as it looks like a bear to get at the end that attaches to the rack.

 

[atalarico]

Nice, thanks guys! I got this fluid extractor for top side oil changes on my VW and it’s coming handy for a lot more than I realize.

Cheers!

 

[Bluesky 07]

Don’t put power steering fluid in it. The 4th Gen uses ATF fluid instead. Sounds weird but it’s true. Look up the specs (sorry, I don’t have it handy) to be sure you get the right kind.

There are tons of DIY threads on how to do the flush.

 

[AuSeeker]

Hey all,

My ps fluid and reservoir was brown when I bought it. I emptied and refilled the overflow tank about 5 times over the course of last summer and maybe that helped but it’s hard to tell since the tank is stained. I’m sure it was better than not doing it I guess.

Anyway, I realized after the fact that I have a freakin fluid extractor pump and could have done a full extraction. Is it really just a matter of taking the fluid out of the tank, popping off one of the hoses that goes to the tank and shoving one of the extraction hoses into that and going to town? Should I pop off the tank and clean it out too while I’m at it?

To refill it, do you hook the hose back up to the dry tank and then refill it from there until you hit the right line?

Also, what kind of fluid are you using for this?

Thanks!

Don’t put power steering fluid in it. The 4th Gen uses ATF fluid instead. Sounds weird but it’s true. Look up the specs (sorry, I don’t have it handy) to be sure you get the right kind.

There are tons of DIY threads on how to do the flush.

Always check your owner's manual for the proper type fluids, in this case the power steering uses Dexron II or III, don't use anything else unless it states it can be use for applications that uses Dexron II or III!

 

[atalarico]

Don’t put power steering fluid in it. The 4th Gen uses ATF fluid instead. Sounds weird but it’s true. Look up the specs (sorry, I don’t have it handy) to be sure you get the right kind.

There are tons of DIY threads on how to do the flush.

Always check your owner's manual for the proper type fluids, in this case the power steering uses Dexron II or III, don't use anything else unless it states it can be use for applications that uses Dexron II or III!

Sorry, I should have specified that I know that it's ATF since that's what my 3rd gen used and I did the ol' fill and drain method on that one a couple years back. I'll be sure to keep using DexII/III ATF.

Cheers.

 

[chayos00]

I flushed mine using Redline D4 ATF as it was an ATF I had around for doing my wife's old Acura TL. Good quality base fluid for sure. I did the whole jack it in the air and with it off turning the wheel back and forth till no more fluid came out of the one fluid line and I think I might have even used a fluid extraction device to suck as much as I could out that was remaining. Then refill it while moving the wheels back and forth till the fluid level remains stable, with it all plugged back up again. I think at that point I turned the engine on and did the same to make sure no trapped bubbles or issues. Did that Dec 2015 or about 30k ago. Color of fluid still decent. But I've got my new schedule to replace it after 50k.

 

[Bluesky 07]

[MENTION=55192]atalarico[/MENTION], good, just wanted to be sure since I was so surprised at it using ATF when I bought my 4Runner a few years ago. I had never heard of that before.

 

[Biking4jesus]

so the line on the bottom (front most) is the return line.

 

[CJFONNER]

so the line on the bottom (front most) is the return line.

Correct.


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