Power Steering Fluid Change

[miamiheat3332]

Can anyone help me out on doing a power steering fluid change, for example where to drain it from, are there multiple drain points, how to do a flush per say if you can not drain it all at one time etc. I dont want to start doing it then find out i didnt do it right or something.

Also ive read before you can replace the PS fluid, with atf oil thats used in our transmissions, im thinking thats correct.

Thanks for the help.

[m0nkeyprince]

i flushed my PS system with 5 bottles of royal purple MAX EZ synthetic fluid, at 5 bucks a bottle, $25 cheap insurance. heres the link to how i did it

flushed-out-my-power-steering-fluid-tod ... 03759.html

the return line is the hose connected to the side of the resoviour.

basically i bastered the old fluid out of the resoviour, put the return line end in a used water bottle, plugged the return line outlet with a crumpled peice of sareen wrap, filled up the resoviour with new fluid, then had an assistant turn on the car and rotate the wheel lock to lock really fast, and you have to be careful cuz the fluid moves fast so you have to pour kinda quick so it dosnt suck up air (keep all the PS bottles open by your feet so you can change fast). and keep the window open so when you say stop! that person can turn off the ignition in an emergency (like when the return line bottle was near almost full)

I should have taken pictures, but i didnt get a photobucket account until recently

You know when you are finished when the return line starts spewing purple fluid, you'll be glad you flushed the fluid as the old fluid was dark brown for me after 90k miles. 5 bottles was really pushing it, id recommend 6 or even 7 bottles jsut in case. after you are done, if the fluid is near the top of the resoviour, i wouldnt worry about that, as there are probbaly a little air in the system plus having a bit too much dosnt do much harm, it wouldnt exapnd and gush out of the resoviour ( or at least it hasnt on mine).

Bleed the system of air by opening the cap, and just turning the wheels lock to lock 3-4 times. Be prepared physcially and mentally as things are gonna move quite fast, you have to watch the resoviour fluid plus the return line fluid all while pouring the bottles of PS fluid, for me, if id have to do it again, ill get an old 1 liter soda bottle, wash and dry it, then fill it with all the PS fluid, this way, i dont have to change bottles midway.

[Chuck Tribolet]

2001 FSM specs "Genuine NISSAN PSF II or equivalent" and then has a footnote that says: "Genuine NISSAN PSF, Canada NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid, DEXRON III/MERCON or equivalent ATF may also be used."

2001 FSM does not spec an interval for checking or changing PS fluid.


Chuck

[m0nkeyprince]

thats true, theres no recommended intervals, but once you flush the old fluid out, it looks nasty, kinda like used motor oil

[VG33QX4]

Easy.
Get gear oil pump, pump out old fluid almost a quart
Clean filter screen. Fill up. Drive around making turns. Do it about three more times or every oil change for the next few times.

I do it every oil change and it's always funky
Everytime I do it the ps pump gets quieter

[Towncivilian]

Just changed out PSF using turkey baster method & 3 pints of genuine Nissan PSF. First time removing fluid was really smelly and dark purple compared to newer fluids. Steering seems smoother and easier, but not significantly so. My PS pump was not making any audible noise before I believe, so can't tell if there's any difference from old vs new fluid in terms of whine etc. This was at 119,761 miles or so, don't think it's ever been changed before.