Power Steering Fluid

[DaveK]

I keep close watch on the fluids and lubricants for the H2. With the exception of transmission fluid exchanges, I change all the fluids and perform all of the lubrication required for my vehicle. I was reading an article recently about vehicle maintenance which discussed an item to which I had never really given much thought - the power steering fluid. I have enough miles on the truck and the cost of a fluid exchange was so low that I'm surprised I'd ignored this for so long.

For about $5.00, I purchased a hand pump at Kragen, meant to pump fluids from the container. It has an extension tube which is long enough to reach to the bottom of the PS reservoir. Pumping out the contents of the reservoir filled a 16 oz. water bottle. The color of the fluid I removed looked like India Ink. I filled another water bottle with new fluid to show the difference.

I ran the truck for about a week and did the same thing and while the fluid was not as bad, I clearly had not retrieved all of the bad fluid (there must have been a lot in the steering box). I did this once more, and the fluid is much cleaner now.

[SteveS]

DK, good subject in my opinion.

P/S and brake fluid are neglected by most.

I change my P/S fluid on a self-satisfaction basis, seems about every few years.

Some use the ‘oil drop on white paper towel’ test. I’ve done this, but I think it works best with oil that is used beyond in useful properties.

DK, I tried a few methods and your way works fine.

I currently just remove the low-pressure hose, stick it into a gallon container, and let gravity do its thing, while adding new oil to the reservoir. Overall the method takes hours to do, but I do other things when it’s happening, every 20-30 minutes I check the pump tank and add oil as needed. When the oil is draining out in new condition I’m done

I’ve not had a problem doing it this way, but can see how it could get air into the system. Since the P/S system is so easy to bleed, air is not much of an issue.

Oil coolers are also a good thing to extend P/S oil life. Can’t hurt seal life either.

[sdnative]

Thanks for the heads-up. I did this fluid change over the weekend, and I couldn't believe how dirty it was. I picked up a device called a "Mix-Miser", essentially a big syringe looking thing, to suck the fluid out of the reservoir. I then refilled it with new fluid, started the vehicle, turned the wheel lock to lock a few times to mix the fuild in the box, shut it down, drained and repeated. I did this about 5 times until the fluid I was pulling out looked clean.

Couldn't really tell a difference, but it's good peace of mind.

Thanks!