P/s

[Big mike]

Hey guysMy power steering over the past two days has been dying on me today it's dead . Any thoughts or recomendations.

[Chally]

Yeah, get it fixed...

Is the fluid etc OK? What were the symptons as it died?Hope you get it done soon.

[PalmerWMD]

Execute a search on our Buy/Sell/Trade forum there are a couple of cars being parted out.

Fred...

[Q45tech]

Don't understand power steering problems as my rack and pump are 13 years old [242k]. Failure to flush fluid every year or replace cracked boots or leaking hoses will kill the system.Why you have a knowlegable expert change the oil and examine things every 90 days .........to catch the leaks while they are just a dribblebefore damage occurs.

The PS system is $2,000 so $100 per year prorated should keep it in tip top condition for 15 years.

[Mayhem_J30]

I've also RARELY hear of a PS system needing replacement. The 4th gen MAximas/I30's have a common problem with leaking PS fluid, but even then the pump seems to last and can always be remedied by checking fluid level and refilling when necessary.

[Q45tech]

Hoses leak because they are not maintained: PS fluid allowed to turn acidic and eat the inside away and clamps not checked for tightness.

I finally replaced one $30 hose at 241K.

It amazes me that owners don't check their PS fluid and wonder WHY it changes color then whine 5 years later when systems fail.

At dealers "check PS" means check the level and maybe pour in some..........not evaluate the color.

[Mayhem_J30]

Hoses leak because they are not maintained: PS fluid allowed to turn acidic and eat the inside away and clamps not checked for tightness.

they also leak when not properly tightened at the factory. an unfortunate quality problem for nissan there for a while. :rolleyes

[Q45tech]

We rarely see new cars [those still under the 4 year total warranty ] or at least those under 60k. When most of the damaging services [or lack thereof] occur!

But the owner is still responsible for making sure that things are ok, leaving that to a dealer, is how you get into problems in the first place.Dealer repair/service facilities are there to make money not proactively help owners save money in the future.

Failure to show up at the dealer every 90 days for an oil change indicates to them that you don't care very much about your car.

[Aus94Q45]

What is the best way to drain the PS fuild and refill? Is there a plug, or a specific hose to loosen? Thanks!

[maxnix]

Had mine flushed with mineral oil then replaced with Mobil 1 ATF. I was told it was a Snap On pump kit.

[Big mike]

it was the rack and pinion steering. We gave it up and got a 2002 Altima v6

[Aus94Q45]

Say it isn't so . . . front wheel drive?

[natsoundup]

Most seem to replace the power steering fluid by sucking out with a turkey baster...and replacing fluid... then doing it again a week later or so...

That's what I did...I had the tiniest of leaks/seapage... put some power steering leak stop in... I think that did the trick....

90Q 148k

[DAEDALUS]

I'll have the car on a lift tonight in class and I want to do a PS flush. Where's the best place to drain fluid out of the rack? Worst case, I thought about just disconnecting one of the flare fittings.

[EWT]

I'll have the car on a lift tonight in class and I want to do a PS flush. Where's the best place to drain fluid out of the rack? Worst case, I thought about just disconnecting one of the flare fittings.

The best way to flush a P/S system is to:

1. Get the front wheels off the ground

2. Disconnect the return line at the PS fluid reservoir, and seal off the nipple on the reservoir (I use a short length of hose doubled over to seal it). Put the return line into some kind of container to catch the old fluid.

3. Suck as much old fluid as possible out of the reservoir.

4. Fill it up with new fluid

5. Turn the wheels back and forth many times until you see fresh fluid come out the return hose. Keep topping the reservior off making sure that the reservoir doesn't run dry while you're doing it. Getting air into the system is hard on the pump, and cause the fluid to expand out of the reservoir.

6. Reconnect the return hose.

An extra step to make sure you don't have any air in the system is to disconnect the EFI fuse, and crank the engine while turning the wheels back and forth with the reservior cap off.