One Screeching noise down! Poor Man's Power Steering Flush

[IceCubeFoSho]

One more to go!

I would always hear this noise thats like a dinosaur screeching his throat loudly whenever I was idling or just about to back up and when I was turning.I decided to check out the Power Steering Fluid, and saw it was foamy and smelled like electricity (I work with computers, I know how it smells like lmao) and I knew it shouldn't smell this odd.So I Checked West Houston Infiniti and the Power Steering flush was over $100 from em, so I figured this was a bit ridiculous, and I can do this myself.

I basically just bought some Valvoline Max Life, and a Turkey Baster, and sucked out the old stuff, put in the new fluid, turned the wheels around, sucked out the fluid again, put in more new fluid, drove around the neighborhood, and took out the old fluids and put in some more of the new stuff. Since apparently this should take about a week or two, I haven't gotten the fluid to become clear, so its still dark, however it no longer foams up, and, no more squealing noise!!!!!!!! It also no longer smells like electricity, and the color is lighter, but still not as clear as the new fluid, so until then, I'll keep turkey basting the thing.

So far I'm extremely happy! The car handles and turns smoother, and its MUCH quieter, there is only one more noise source, and its whenever I'm driving, I'll be on the road, and I'll hear little squeaks hear and there, not any problem since I do listen to music, but I was wondering if its just something I need to tighten? It really isn't a nuisance, but its just more of a lemme fix everything obsessive compulsiveness of mine.

I'm about to hit 101,000 miles, and I'm amazed at how smooth the car is. I've placed 5,000 miles on the car so far and I have absolutely no regrets considering I only paid $6K and just needed to put on new tires. Plus I drive it very roughly. (Hitting 120mph effortlessly was like a landmark for my buddies and I) I guess the priest who the car was seized from blessed well it lmao... except for the caramel candies he let melt in the rear armrest

[qship96]

I do the turkeybaste PS ritual every year,1x per day for 8 days and 2.0 quarts worth of Redline d4 atf-- if done annually,this will keep fluid like new.

[maxnix]

So I Checked West Houston Infiniti and the Power Steering flush was over $100 from em, so I figured this was a bit ridiculous, and I can do this myself.

I haven't gotten the fluid to become clear, so its still dark,

So far I'm extremely happy!

I'm about to hit 101,000 miles, and I'm amazed at how smooth the car is.

Well, now you know why a competent fluid extraction and replacement costs what it does. Here is a clue for you: Dark fluid is failed fluid. Here's another: BG uses not only a sythetic fluid, but also a seal conditioner. When fluid is noticeably dark or expecially black, the low pressure hose is disconnect to the pump so a true mechanical fluid exchange can occur, mostly to extract the gunk and damaged metal that resides in the bottom of an abused rack. Once one realizes that a new rack alone is $1,100, $100 for a flush is inexpensive, especially once fluid has collapsed as determined by dark color and the simple extraction replenishment procedure won't suffice.

I am glad you are happy, but imagine what you would be if your G50 was restored to as new OEM condition? Hopefully, some day you may know.

[Kiven422]

I plan to attack the fluid some time soon... just replaced a leaking hose

I'm curious to find out how the dealership would replace the fluid.

[IceCubeFoSho]

Yeah, what is the official way they replace the fluids?

[TBrack]

Yeah, what is the official way they replace the fluids?

From what maxnix said, a fluid exchanger similar to what they use with transmission fluid and engine oil at high tech shops. Sounds to me like you COULD do it yourself if you got a hold of an exchanging machine...

[qship96]

Yeah, what is the official way they replace the fluids?

Nissan does not advise periodic replacement of power steering fluid or brake fluid per the service manual-they think it is lifetime fill unless components are being replaced. But we know that the lifetime of components can be doubled by regular fluid replacement!

[IceCubeFoSho]

I don't know man, if they offer it at the dealer, and if it did shut my pump up, I think Nissan must've been trippin on something when they stated that.So far my fluid is almost clean! Its no longer pure dark, I can see its like a filtered transparent medium brown color now, which is much different than the original dark brown/black foamy unclear fluid before

[T45]

One thing to remember is that it's just a hydraulic pump and swapping fluid is very simple with more than one person.

A good way is to jack up front wheels. Remove return line from reservoir, cap off return tube on reservoir, put return line in a bucket, open reservoir, have friend start car and move steering wheel from lock to lock slowly to allow fluid to move throughout the system, keep adding new fluid when reservoir gets low and do this until fluid is clean.

Foamy fluid just means your system has air in it and needs to be purged. If it smells like almonds it's burnt and needs to be replaced. It's just hydraulic oil.

[DrewQ45]

I found one of those hand bulbs with a hose on both ends. The hose was thin enough to slide down into the tube at the bottom of the reservoir...got it down about a foot or more...maybe even into the rack itself. Works great... I filled it with automatic trans fluid.

[Haitian_King]

From what maxnix said, a fluid exchanger similar to what they use with transmission fluid and engine oil at high tech shops. Sounds to me like you COULD do it yourself if you got a hold of an exchanging machine...

But the machines are quite expensive. You could get it to pay for itself if you provide the service for other cars. Even if they supply the fluid, you can make a killing. Or at the very least, break even.

[Haitian_King]

I found one of those hand bulbs with a hose on both ends. The hose was thin enough to slide down into the tube at the bottom of the reservoir...got it down about a foot or more...maybe even into the rack itself. Works great... I filled it with automatic trans fluid.

That's it? No "special" fluid? I haven't noticed anything abnormal about my PS, but since it's something I've never replaced, it may be time to give it a look see.

If you're using ATF, how come the thread starter is using some clear stuff?

Or does it not matter?

[Q451990]

I believe the ATF is the recommended fluid... but certain P/S fluids are an OK alternative. I turkey baster mine with M1 ATF every time I change my oil.

Heath

[jrfryoux]

I have the Infinity 1994 Q45 dealer repair and service manual I am trying to past the recomended fluid page for everyone.

[jrfryoux]

I cannot add page to here but if you need maintence schedule or anything from the dealership repair manual just email me at jrfryoux@yahoo.,com and i will forward the copy through email.