Power Steering Fluid Flush

[bassthrive]

for this you will need...

ATF Dexron II or III (i used a little more than 2 quarts)
2-5ft of 3/8 inch vacuum line
Barb coupler (again 3/8 will work fine)
Some garbage bags
A friend

1 ) Put the front wheels on the garbage bags. This will reduce stress on the steering system while doing the flush.
2 ) Remove cap from power steering fluid reservior and siphon as much fluid out as you can.
3 ) Disconnect the return line from the reservior (smaller hose) and hook it into your extension tubing, running it to a bucket or empty soda bottle, etc. (tip - unbolt the coolant reservior and move it up and out of your way)
4 ) Plug the now exposed return hole in the reservior. A small wad of ATF soaked paper towel will work in a pinch.
5 ) Line the area surrounding the reservior with lots of towels to soak up stray fluid.
6 ) Fill the reservior with fresh fluid.
7 ) Have your friend start the car and turn the steering wheel lock to lock. IMPORTANT: your job is to keep the reservior filled with fresh fluid. Shut down when the fluid coming out is the same color as the fluid going in.
8 ) Remove the plug from the reservior return hole and quickly re-attach the return line (here you will understand why we line the area with towels)
9 ) Check your levels, start the car up, turn the wheel to purge any air that may have entered the system, re-check the levels, add more fluid if needed, drive around for a few minutes, check levels again.
10 ) Have a cold one.

[StockSolara]

cool. . . good job man

[jazzlara]

isnt ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid?

[Mole]

isnt ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid?

ATF = Automatic Transmission Fluid

[Hsakuragi]

YES, check ur manual, it says use ATF for steering...

[noodlerooney]

When I did mine, I didn't run the engine, jacked up the car using front center jack point and turned the wheels lock to lock many times and that was enough to pump the old fluid out. This way, it's a 1 person operation and you don't have to worry about the reservior going dry, easy to keep full. Took about 1 quart but I pushed 2 through for good measure. Used Mobil 1 synthetic Dexron III. Factory fill was undyed (amber colored) Dexron III, don't make the mistake of thinking that it's power steering fluid which has been known to cause leaks. When I reconnected the return line to the reservoir, I made sure the ATF level was below the return port so no fluid leaked out. After return line was reattached, I filled to max line.

[Hsakuragi]

When I did mine, I didn't run the engine, just turned the wheels lock to lock and that was enough to pump the old fluid out. This way, it's a 1 person operation and you don't have to worry about the reservior going dry. Took about 1 quart but I pushed 2 through for good measure. Used Mobil 1 synthetic Dexron III. Factory fill was undyed (amber colored) Dexron III, don't make the mistake of thinking that it's power steering fluid which has been known to cause leaks.

if u don't start the car, how can you turn the wheels?

[noodlerooney]

Position jack under front center jack point and jack it up until wheels are just off the pavement, wheels turn easy now.

[Hsakuragi]

^ thank you, i just did it, less than 30 mins, then 20 mins clean up the fluid (i flushed it with some water)...COOL!

YAY!

[Whatever]

omg i just spent like 150 bucks for that thing