steering fluid flush

[offroad safari]

I read the other post about changing the power steering fluid by sucking out the old fluid, replacing it and repeating. this method seems i effective to me. Has anyone ever disconnected one of the power steering lines at the remote resevoir? if so which one is the suction line and which is the return line?

[Mr_Bowtie]

Do you still have the factory power steering cooler? Its a hard line found inside the front bumper/radiator area. You could disconnect that and get a lot of the fluid out. My cooler on my '92 sprung a leak and I lost all the power steering fluid really fast.

[offroad safari]

thats a good thought, i have to take a look when i get home this weekend

[paulo57509]

I found this on another web site I frequent. It's an Excel spreadsheet that will tell you how many times you need to suck out and refill a transmission, PS reservoir, etc. to get "X"-percent of new fluid in the thing you're baster flushing.

Just fill in the three blue fields with your numbers and hit enter. Refer to the table on the right and have fun.

[astroturf]

thats a good thought, i have to take a look when i get home this weekend

Hey Offroad, How is this project coming along? Thanks, Jim

[offroad safari]

now that i could finally drive my van, i took a look at the power steering lines, i decided i'm going to suck as much fluid out of my remote resevoir as possible to eliminate spilling it. Next i'm going to disconnect the return line that runs from the hydroboost unit to the resevoir at the resevoir and i'll plug the resevoir off. the line looks like it will reach out past the grille and im going to use a 5 gallon buck to catch all the fluid. I'll then jack the van up so the front tires are just off the ground. i'm going to have someone start the van and then turn the wheel lock to lock and pump the brakes while i pour in clean fluid.

My questions before i attempt this are:

How is the system fluid capacity?

How much fluid will i need to completely flush the system?

Will three times the fluid capacity be enough fluid?

[Mr_Bowtie]

^I like that idea. Not sure how much you would need though.

[gtkane]

2 or 3 liters will completely flush it.
Yuor flush will work better if the wheels are on the ground...higher pressures will blow the gunk out better.

[offroad safari]

My fluid is changed , I'll have a full write up when I get to my computer since i will go nuts typing it on my iPhone

[offroad safari]

Below is a list of what is needed and the procedure to flush power steering fluid on a 1990 van equipped with a remote resevoir and hydroboost.

what you need:

- a suction gun or turkey baster
- a 1/4 nut driver or screwdriver
- a 5 quart oil container or windshield washer fluid container
- a 3/8" vacuum plug
- 4 quarts of transmission fluid
- shop towels
- 1 can of brake parts cleaner
- a second person to help if possible

Procedure:

1. place a 5 quart oil container or similar container in the area between the battery and hydroboost unit.
2. use a suction gun or turkey baster to remove as much fluid from the resevoir as possible.
3. loosen the hose clamp on the return line from the hydroboost unit to the remote resevoir at the resevoir.
4. pull the hose from the resevoir and place the end of the hose in the oil container.
5. plug the resevoir inlet with the 3/8" rubber plug.
6. fill the resevoir with clean power steering fluid.
7. start the van, let it idle and turn the wheel lock to lock repeatedly while pumping the brakes. a second person would be helpful so you could keep an eye on the fluid level in the resevoir and the color of the fluid coming out of the return hose. do this until the fluid is clean, mine went from what looked like iced tea to completely clear. when the fluid is clear flush the fluid until the resevoir is almost empty to allow for reconnection of the return line without spilling fluid.
8. remove the plug on the return inlet
9. reinstall the return hose and retighten the hose clamp.
10. check fliud level and top off as needed.
11. start the van, turn the steering wheel lock to lock a few times and pump the brakes a few times.
12. recheck the fluid level
13. clean any spilled fluid with brake parts cleaner and shop towels.

[davetexas]

Offroad, you used tranny fluid? Any particular type? Is this the recommended fill for the power steering? Thanks!!!

[offroad safari]

Offroad, you used tranny fluid? Any particular type? Is this the recommended fill for the power steering? Thanks!!!

WOW, i didn't realize i wrote that... i used power steering fluid.... DO NOT USE TRANSMISSION FLUID!!!!

[kennyj]

Offroad, you used tranny fluid? Any particular type? Is this the recommended fill for the power steering? Thanks!!!

WOW, i didn't realize i wrote that... i used power steering fluid.... DO NOT USE TRANSMISSION FLUID!!!!

There was the time I put transmission fluid in the brake reservoir, don't ask why... I'm calling it a senior moment. I immediately realized what i'd done, and that split second mistake took about two hours to correct.